Converting A Carnivore
When Sweet Husband and I first moved in together, he was convinced he didn't like most vegetables.
I've spent the past four years in a subtle campaign to convince him otherwise.
I started with broccoli, or a little asparagus in the Spring when it looked nice. Then gradually we branched out into more controversial territory, like cabbage and squash. And while I haven't won the war--I'm still looking for that irresistible cauliflower recipe--last night was a pivotal battle. Last night we enjoyed a bowl of brussels sprouts.
How did I do it, you ask?
Well, it's actually a knock-off on the way they make them at my favorite deli counter.
- I took two really big handfuls of fresh brussels sprouts, peeled the outer leaves, trimmed the stems, and cut the larger ones in half.
- I mixed them in a baking dish with an equal portion of frozen pearl onions (you could just slice up a regular onion, but the little pearls look so nice and I had some left from the beef bourguignon), the juice and zest of almost one lemon, salt, pepper, and a little nob of butter.
- Then I roasted them for about half an hour at roughly 400 degrees, stirring them around every so often. (Just keep an eye on them, when everything starts to get all soft and brown they're done.)
- To finish them off, I squeezed on the rest of the lemon juice, sprinkled on just a leetle parmesan cheese, and tossed it all together.
They're like tiny, cute cabbages--only easier to cook.
Victory is sweet!
LOL, you could always try pureeing them into obscurity the way Jessica Seinfeld is advocating!
Posted by: Fergus' Mom | October 12, 2007 at 08:38 AM
Ahh, but that's cheating! I decided at the begining that a "win" is getting him to like vegetables for themselves; hiding them or drenching them in cheese would make me feel much too much like a "mom". Which is not something you want to be to your husband! :)
Posted by: Meryl | October 12, 2007 at 09:12 AM
very excellent point and I'm proud of you for keeping to the vegetable high road! Some of the things they did with cauliflower on Top Chef this past go around sounded quite yummy, but I'm not sure if any of the recipes made it to the site.
Posted by: Fergus' Mom | October 12, 2007 at 02:34 PM
Soooooooo,how much beer did you make him consume first? Seriously, sounds like a great recipe and looks tasty. When are you coming out again??!! Hope you let the poor boy have some protein, too!!!
Posted by: DAD | October 12, 2007 at 03:11 PM
There was no beer, but there was a little steak involved and some very pretty matchsticked potatoes just in case the sprouts were a dud. Always good to have a back up plan.... ;)
Posted by: Meryl | October 12, 2007 at 04:09 PM
I'm not sure why I have come to like more vegetables. It is either because I have lost some taste buds or my wonderful wife and figured out how to cook them in great ways.(I think it is the latter)
Posted by: Blaine(Sweet Husband) | October 12, 2007 at 11:15 PM
Steak is yummy. :)
Vegetables are yummy too.
Califlower will never, ever, ever, ever, ever replace the potato. No matter what the carb critics and Rachel Rays and super chefs think. That's my story and I'm sticking to it! :)
Taters are awesome. Just say no to imitators! :)
Posted by: StacyH | October 13, 2007 at 11:09 AM
as a good Irish girl I'm going to agree with with StacyH ~ no imiTATERS ;o)
Posted by: Fergus' Mom | October 15, 2007 at 07:58 AM
Steak and 'taters... hard to beat. Wish I had a veggie chef like Meryl to cook all my veggies, I'd look forward to eating them more!
Posted by: DAD | October 15, 2007 at 01:08 PM
Aww, you guys are making me blush! But truly, you're right, there isn't much better than a nice medium rare steak and some garlic mashed spuds.
Posted by: Meryl | October 15, 2007 at 01:58 PM