Christmas Brussels Sprouts

Asked by jeanht. Answered on 24th December 2014

Full question

I make a dish of Brussels sprouts with lardons and flaked almonds but wondered if you could suggest an alternative for the almonds? Maybe pine nuts?

Our answer

Brussels sprouts with lardons or small pieces of bacon is a popular dish for Christmas dinner and Nigella has several versions of this dish. In Feast (and on the Nigella website) Nigella suggests a combination of pancetta, parsley and chestnuts (the cooked type that come vacuum packed). Alternatively you could try pecan nuts along with chestnuts and some spring onions (scallions) sliced and fried in some garlic flavoured oil from Christmas (p132). You could also use pine nuts but we would suggest that you toast them first, either in the oven or in a dry frying pan.

It may also be worth considering roasted sprouts as an alternative, especially as roasted vegetables can be appealing to those who may not eat boiled or steamed versions. We would suggest Nigella's Roast Brussels Sprouts With Rosemary, Lemon And Pecorino from Nigellissima (p120). These take about 25 minutes at a high heat so could be done with the roast potatoes, while the turkey is resting.