Thanksgiving - I get the vegetables...

[Sharon S.]

I have been elected to bring the green vegetables for Thanksgiving. I would like to bring brussels sprouts, but I know not everyone likes them so i am thinking - green beans. One of the problems is that I really wont be able to heat them up and I was wondering what I could serve at room temperature?

[eatmyfood]

Here is a Brussels sprout recipe that is a favorite of mine and my personal chef clients -

Maple Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
serves 6

4 slices of bacon, chopped
olive oil
1 large sweet onion, thinly sliced
about 2 pounds Brussels sprouts, cleaned, small ones left whole and large ones halved
1/3 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
salt and pepper to taste

In a large saute pan over medium high heat, cook bacon until crisp. Remove bacon from pan and drain on paper towels.

Add enough olive oil to the pan along with the bacon drippings to equal about 2 tablespoons. Add onion and saute until just beginning to brown, about 8 - 10 minutes. Add the Brussels sprouts and saute for about 2 - 3 minutes. Add the broth, maple syrup, and Dijon mustard and stir to combine. Reduce the heat to medium low. Cover and cook for about an additional 8 - 10 minutes or until the Brussels sprouts are tender. Season with salt and pepper and top with the cooked bacon.

I am having trouble uploading the photo so here is a link to the blog post w/this recipe -

http://dinnersforayear.blogspot.com/2...

[gilintx]

Mrs. made steamed fresh green beans with a shallot vinaigrette last year, served room temp, and they were a hit. Toasted nuts (almonds, walnuts) will help, but aren't necessary.

[scubadoo97]

Shred the brussel sprouts. No one will know they are brussel sprouts. I've converted more than one brussel sprout hater who wouldn't touch them before trying them shredded.

[Novelli]

I love chilled broccoli.

Steam some broccoli and garlic cloves until tender and then toss them in a bowl with some balsamic, s&p, a little olive oil, and lemon wedges.
Store in the fridge for a couple hours to let the flavors meld, and serve chilled.

[tcamp]

I'm going to make this brussels sprouts recipe from Food and Wine by way of the The Bitten Word:

http://www.thebittenword.com/thebitte...

Instructions say warm it up before serving but I am going to go with room temp (in a warm kitchen).

[jvanderh]

I think green beans in sesame oil would be good cold. I'd just barely cook them, and toss them with sesame oil, sriracha, and sesame seeds.

And I third or forth or whatever that roasted brussels sprouts are insanely delicious. And they are definitely good cold.

[laliz]

I'd do roasted cauliflower and roasted broccoli and present them at room temp on a platter side by side garnished w/roasted red bell peppers

[River19]

I'm making my brussells sprouts with bacon and vanilla again......comes out well. Could also be served cold, but.......

[The Oracle]

please post recipe! That sounds delish!

[escondido123]

I saw a recipe for brussels sprouts done in heavy cream that looked luscious.

[biondanonima]

I have made this recipe for Brussels sprouts in heavy cream many times:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/foo...

I love them, especially if you cut the sprouts in half - the cream soaks into all of their little nooks and crannies and makes them extra delicious, and the nutty "gremolata" just brightens everything up. I also love them shredded and sauteed as Indianriverfl mentioned, or simply roasted. My experience is that everyone who thinks they hate Brussels sprouts has only had them cooked (to death) from frozen, and they are truly abominable in that fashion.

[INDIANRIVERFL]

Asparagus spears wrapped in your favorite ham product and dressed with a vinagrette.

Seasoned grated brussel sprouts cooked with butter and grated hard cheese. Keep warm in an insulated box. (cooler)

[greygarious]

You can certainly steam the beans, then marinate in a lemony vinaigrette and serve them at room temperature. Why not make both Brussels sprouts and green beans? I can't imagine that it isn't possible to warm either or both up at the last minute, either once everything in the oven is done, or in a microwave. Just use a glass or ceramic dish, which will work in either appliance. That way you could do the traditional green bean casserole, which people expect will be part of the Thanksgiving spread.

[pie22]

seconded - do both.
maybe you can turn the non-brussel sprout believers into fans? nothing beats roasted brussel sprouts!

[jjjrfoodie]

I agree with pie22.

Do both and see where things fall out. I;'ve converted many a brussel sprout phobe.

I clean and pull yellow leaves from my sprouts , cut in half and then toss with olive oil, kosher salt and black pepper. Roast at 375 till done and browned and then toss with a good basalmic vinegar and some lemon juice.

Better warm but room temp is not a deal breaker to me.

[jkling17]

DO BOTH! Absolutely. They can easily be done the morning of, then brought over, and covered with foil. Once they take the turkey out of the oven - just throw it in there for a few min, uncovered, to warm them back up.

Or, for only a few dollars, you can buy a chafing rack and sterno can. I have lots of these and they always come in handy for parties.

I routinely make both brussels sprouts and green beans and my guests go crazy for both of them. With the green beans, I jazz them up a bit with a good amount of olive oil that has been sauteed with LOTS of puree'd garlic, then tossed with some bacon or pancetta or proscutto, and a bit of lemon juice, balsamic vinegar and srirachi hot sauce - along w/ kosher salt and fresh ground pepper. If you want more texture, toss in some almonds or walnuts that you've chopped in the food processor - not too fine though. There are NEVER any leftovers ...

I keep the brussels sproutes more simple. Just cut into halves or quarters depending on their size. Then steamed until "just barely cooked". Then toss with olive oil, salt and pepper. Perfect and awesome. If you wish to jazz them a bit, use a microplane zester and shred some hard cheese over them. Pecarino romano would do nicely or similar.

[Astur]

Try roasting the green beans. They are very good at room temp. A spritz of lemon over top is a nice addition. Plain, sure, but the flavor is so fabulous when roasted.

Buitternut squash roasted isn't bad at room temp either.