Tuesday, March 1, 2011

M: Brussels Sprouts and Cauliflower Gratin

How was your Monday? Mine ended on a very good note. Since the hubs worked extra late I put my favorite movie on (my most favorite book as well, Eat Pray Love) and relaxed with my pups. Secretly I was also super lazy because I could barely move I was so sore from Sunday’s yoga session.

So, another secret, I also have historically not been a huge fan of brussels sprouts. I know, it’s a travesty. There are a lot of people, including my husband, who chastise me for this fact…or more just make fun of me =) I mean, really, I love almost any veggie you put in front of my face, what’s the big deal about brussels sprouts?

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BUT, can I please now say I am officially a brussels sprouts fan? Oh yes, yes I am…All because of this recipe. It is SO good. I could eat them all day in this dish. The creamy béchamel-like sauce that is tossed with the veggies along with the crispy panko topping? DELICIOUS! I definitely plan to do this using broccoli next time.

Brussels Sprouts and Cauliflower Gratin

from Cooking Light

4 cups cauliflower florets (about 1 lb.)

4 cups trimmed brussels sprouts, trimmed and quartered (about 1 3/4 lb.)

1/4 cup AP flour

1 1/2 cups 1% milk

2/3 cup half and half

3/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/8 tsp. nutmeg

4 slices center cut bacon, chopped

2 cups sweet onion, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/4 cup panko

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Cook cauliflower and brussels sprouts in boiling water for about 2 minutes. Drain.

Combine flour, milk, half and half, salt, pepper, and nutmeg into a bowl and whisk together until well combined.

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Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add bacon and cook until it begins to brown, stirring occasionally. Add onion and garlic. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in milk mixture. Bring to a simmer. Cook 5 minutes or until thick, stirring constantly (mine thickened pretty quickly).

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Remove from heat. Stir in your veggies. Spoon into an 11 x 7 inch broiler safe dish coated with cooking spray.

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Cover with foil and bake for about 20 minutes. Remove from oven. Preheat broiler to high. Remove foil from dish. Combine cheese and panko. Sprinkle over vegetable mixture. Broil 4 minutes or until browned.

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Enjoy!

P.S. Marley

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

That looks yummy! Bacon makes pretty much anything better! =D

Anonymous said...

This looks so tasty!

Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg said...

Ohh, I saw this recipe and thought it looked divine! I'm glad you tried it!

Bridget said...

Mmmm I love Brussels, Cauliflower, and Gratin's! So this sounds fantastic!! I think I have cauliflower at home too, hmmm I think I'll be making this one soon :)

Kitchen Belleicious said...

Hey girl! Love this dish. Looks incredible. I was one of the few kids who grew up loving my brussel sprouts but I can't say the same for my husband. Might have to make these one night when he is traveling! New to your blog. its fantastic and will be by often. Have a fabulous day!XO
www.kitchenbelleicious.com

erica said...

My mum just told me about Cauliflower Gratin and I am thinking I need to give your version a try now. Sounds delicious!

xo

Stephanie @cookinfanatic said...

Pretty sure I could get my boyfriend to eat brussels with this recipe, it looks amazing!

fittingbackin said...

I have yet to try brussel sprouts - but you make them look good!

Renee Paj said...

oh my...I am sooo making this! its hard to find good recipes that jazz up veggies, I think! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

This looks awesome! I was looking for a way to eat more brussel sprouts. I tried making them on their own and I thought they were gross!

Laural (bhealthier) said...

omg, i hated brussel sprouts too-well until last year. all of a sudden, everyone started making them in creative ways and my taste buds apparently changed!

I haven't seen this recipe or anything like it yet- how creative! bacon adds so much wonderful flavor!

Annie said...

put anything in a gratin and i'll eat it!

i have yet to see the movie but i must soon!

thehealthyapron said...

Oh man, I have tried brussel sprouts several times and couldn't get in to them...just so bitter! If you liked them in this dish though, perhaps I will have to give it a go!

Liz Bridges said...

I never ate brussels sprouts until I was 33 years old! Can you believe that? I thought I would hate them, but i love them! I still can't get the guts to try beets again. I hated them as a child and am too chicken to try them now!

Jenn @ Peas and Crayons said...

oooh thanks for the reminder! I havent had brussels sprouts in months! so overude! and this recipe is for sure the way i'm going to eat them once I pick a few up! <3

xoXOxo
Jenn @ Peas & Crayons

Simply Life said...

mmmm this looks like a fun way to eat brussel sprouts!

Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather said...

Glad you're on the brussel sprouts bandwagon! I can't get enough of the stuff :)

The crunchy panko and creamy sauce sound delicious with this veggie mix.

Pound said...

we try to eat brussel sprouts every once and a while, this will be a nice change to roasting them.

Peabody said...

This looks like a great way to get your veggies in.

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