spruce up your sprouts

patchwork_cat

Well they were OK (made with sea salt!), not as wonderful as I had heard, but nice, but my house stank of sprouts! much more so than when I just boil them!

I think that my absolute favourite way of eating sprouts is in bubble and squeak, still.

aliasojo

What do I do with them?

I know how to boil the sprouts but I have never even eaten a chestnut before let alone cooked one.:o

I bought some from Morrisons as I saw a pic of sprouts with chestnuts and butter (? I think that's what it was) drizzled all over them and they looked good.

So, in simple terms what do I do?

cooking-mama

Sorry aliasojo,I have no idea,but will be following your post with interest as i would like to know too...looking for different ways to "do" the sprouts this year.

squeaky

Would it be something like this...?

Brussels sprouts with chestnuts: Recipes: Good Food Channel

CCP

Chestnuts need to be cooked before you use them - I find grilling them's the best way, but make sure you pierce a hole in them first or they'll explode! :eek: (I usually do mine by threading them on to a metal skewer, so you can turn them all over at once. )

They're ready when the shells are dark and slightly charred; peel them as soon as they're cool enough to touch as they get harder to peel as they cool down.

The way we do sprouts and chestnuts in my family: put the chestnuts to one side while you boil your sprouts; when they're done, drain the sprouts and put them back in the pan with the chestnuts, over a low heat to warm them through. Add a knob of butter and some seasoning, and serve.

Yum! :drool:

ETA - squeaky beat me to it! That's more or less the same as my family recipe.

LandyAndy

I have sprouts, I have chestnuts.....



......who could ask for anything more?

cooking-mama

I like the sound of the ready cooked chestnuts in Squeaky's link,if i cant find them i may try this other recipe from the same link(no chestnuts in it tho...but maybe they could be added?). http://uktv.co.uk/food/recipe/aid/631168

aliasojo

Thanks all.

I'm glad I asked, I didn't know the things had to be cooked first.

How long do I need to grill them for? Can't I just shove them on an oven tray for a while? We only have a single oven here, no separate grill so it would be easier to cook several things at once the same way iyswim?

Like the idea of the bacon sprouts on c-m's link too.

sunflower76

I usually pierce the shell with a knife or a skewer and then boild for a short time. The skins then split properly and they can be easily peeled, chopped and used in other dishes.

squeaky

I'm told that the trick is to nick (or cut the pointy ends off) all of the chestnuts except one.

Put the chestnuts in a roasting tin with the uncut one in the middle and cover them all with foil. Cook at a medium type temperature until the uncut one pops - and you will hear it

Job done