Garlic Brussel Sprouts with Craisins and Pecans
As I went for a run over the weekend, I noticed so many Yale students with their luggages. It took me a moment too realize that it was the weekend before Thanksgiving, and those lucky people get the whole week off and go home.
Unlike me. Sadly.
For the first time ever, I don’t have a Thanksgiving holiday and can’t spend it with my family, which bums me out since it’s such a big part of my food centric family. You can see some old Thanksgiving recipes on the blog (Pumpkin Roll, Cranberry, Apple, and Pear Crumble, Pumpkin Butternut Squash Soup, Butternut Squash and Pumpkin Soup with Blue Cheese, Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap Hazelnut Crust) but as you can see, I haven’t posted one in a while.
I’m switching to nights this week unfortunately, so during Thanksgiving, while people are eating, sleeping, then Black Friday shopping at 5am – I’m taking care of inpatient geriatric patients with my 14 hour shifts. Such is the life of residency – the only downside of having a fulfilling job is that people truly depend and need your work 24/7.
When 4th year students ask me for advice on the interview trail, I say, enjoy 4th year as much as you can – it’s really the last year you’ll have without responsibility (until retirement).
This is a quick and easy Thanksgiving side you can make for yourself or for a large crowd. I love eating brussel sprouts so I don’t fill up purely on carbs during Thanksgiving (allowing more room for dessert). The craisins’ sweetness and the crunch of the pecans balances out a somewhat bitter brussel sprout flavor.
I used a cast iron pan, but any stove top pan will do; just transfer to a baking dish/pan for roasting. Have a hearty Thanksgiving dinner on my behalf! Adapted from NY Times Cooking.
Garlic Brussel Sprouts with Craisins and Pecans
Ingredients
1-2 cups brussels sprouts
4 to 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
5 cloves garlic, peeled
Salt and pepper to taste
handful of craisins and pecans
Directions
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Trim bottom of brussels sprouts, and slice each in half top to bottom. Heat oil in cast-iron pan over medium heat and toss the garlic, sprouts with salt/pepper, craisins, and pecans.
As the sprouts begin to brown, transfer to oven. Roast, turning the sprouts halfway through the cooking, until sprouts are quite brown and tender, about 10-15 minutes.
I am not usually a fan of vegetables, but this was freaking awesome!
Brussels Sprouts are my absolute favorite! This recipe sounds great! I usually just do plain olive oil, salt and pepper. This fancies it up a bit!
I am a HUGE brussels sprouts fan, and these look SO GOOD. I am having Thanksgiving catered this year, but I have some sprouts in my fridge, and I think I might add them to the menu!!
You can't go wrong with classics, but adding nuts and craisins is an easy way to jazz it up
You can never have too many sprouts! What a great time saver to cater Thanksgiving 🙂
This sounds SO good! Seven year old me is very disappointed in how much "adult me" likes brussel sprouts haha! This sounds like a great way to spruce them up even more
Roasted Brussel sprouts are a big fav here; even my kids love them. Your recipe looks so festive with the cranberries. 🙂
Making this for Thanksgiving at home as we speak. Too bad you can't join us this year 🙁
I've never cooked brussel sprouts in a cast iron pan. The craisins and pecans sounds like a great addition – I usually eat them plain.
Having gone back to your house after the floodwater has gone down will normally bring you to looking at everything including your kitchen. Paul christopher
Haha a similar relationship occurs for me and oatmeal!
Wow you have some well trained kids then. Nice work on getting them to eat brussel sprouts
I know, I'm so bummed :/ Eat well for me
Cast iron gives it a nice crisp 🙂
Sorry to hear you won't be with family this thanksgiving. I'm glad you'll have some good food. The garlic brussels sprout looks delicious, I like the addition of pecan and raisins, might have to try it!
Wow what a great recipe. Thanks for sharing. Keep writing.
i'd eat this all season! love brussel sprouts and pecans together
Amazing combo of ingredients! I like the cranberries especially. People seem to love or hate Brussels sprouts and I am in the love group!