Balsamic & Maple Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Brussels Sprouts tend to be one of those foods you either love or hate, but we argue that if you prepare these little green nuggets the right way, they are a crowd pleaser. This recipe is not grandma's boiled, flavorless, mushy sprouts, but instead are roasted, sweet & savory, and tender brussels sprouts.

One step to making brussels sprouts delicious is roasting them. Roasting sprouts gives them the perfect texture and bite. It also allows any fructose/sugar you add to them to caramelize. Another step to making these baby cabbages delectable is add the right seasonings. Brussels sprouts tend to be bitter on their own, so making sure you add the right ingredients to counter act that is important. The best way to counter act bitterness is with sugar. This recipe includes Maple Syrup, but for a less vegan option you could use honey instead.

Fun Fact: "Brussels sprouts are named after the fact that they were cultivated in Belgium in the 16th century. Knowing this little fact will also help you remember that it's Brussels sprouts, not Brussel sprouts, and it's Brussels sprout even if you're only referring to one sprout." Christine Gallary on The Kitchn tells us.

Ingredients: 24 oz. bag of brussels sprouts, 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar, 1/4 cup maple syrup (or honey), 2 tbsp. mustard, 1 tbsp. garlic salt.

The first step is the most tedious: you need to cut all the ends off the brussels sprouts and then cut them in half. This does take a bit of time, but is necessary for the sprouts to cook evenly in the oven. Once this step is done, it's just a matter of mixing and tossing.

In a smaller bowl you'll mix the balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, and garlic salt. Then you'll place the halved sprouts in a bowl, pour the balsamic mix over the sprouts, and toss it all together. It's that easy.

Drizzle just a bit of olive oil in a baking sheet and then put the brussels sprouts on the sheet and into an oven at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 25-35 minutes. Just until a fork slides into the sprout with little resistance.

There are a few optional ingredients to add once the brussels sprouts are done. We tossed in some vegan parmesan cheese, but you could add regular parmesan cheese for a less vegan option. You could also add nutritional yeast or chopped almonds for a bit of a crunch.

Balsamic & Maple Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients:

24 oz. bag of brussels sprouts

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup maple syrup (or honey)

2 tbsp. mustard

1 tbsp. garlic salt.

*Olive oil for the baking sheet*

Optional ingredients:

Pepper to taste

Parmesan Cheese (or vegan parmesan)

Nutritional yeast

Chopped Almonds

Directions:

1. Turn on oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Cut off the ends of all the brussels sprouts and then cut them in half and place in a large bowl. The outer leaves of the sprouts will probably fall off in this process, all of those can be discarded.

3. In a smaller bowl mix together the balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, and garlic salt.

4. Pour the balsamic mixture over the brussels sprouts and toss the brussels in the mixture until each one is coated.

5. Lightly drizzle olive oil on the baking sheet and then put the brussels onto the sheet. Make sure they are evenly distributed across the sheet.

6. Place the sheet into the heated oven and bake between 25 - 35 minutes, until a fork has little resistance piercing a brussels sprout.

7. Once the sprouts are cooked and out of the oven, let sit for 5 minutes before moving them into a bowl.

8. Optional: toss in one or a combination of the optional ingredients (parmesan & almonds, or nutritional yeast & pepper).