The Brussels are Coming!

As featured in the LA TIMES:

Dear SOS: My wife and I had occasion to eat at Palazzo Giuseppe in downtown San Luis Obispo in mid-March. We had a Brussels sprout salad with goat cheese and pecans that was outstanding. The salad was a daily special, not on the regular menu. Any chance you could procure the recipe?

Marc Robbins, Los Angeles

Dear Marc: This is one salad that just might turn anyone into a fan of Brussels sprouts. Roasting does a lot to tame this assertive vegetable, softening the Brussels sprouts and giving it nice nutty notes. Tossed with sweet candied pecans, lightly tangy Dijon dressing and fresh goat cheese, you have a tempting dish that works well for both weeknight dinners and holiday entertaining. Best of all, you can make all the components ahead of time, and warm the sprouts just before serving. Just be sure you make extra, in case any new fans want seconds.

Palazzo Giuseppe's Brussels sprout salad

50 minutes, plus roasting and toasting times. Serves 4

CANDIED PECANS

1 heaping cup (4 ounces) pecan halves

1 tablespoon powdered sugar

1 tablespoon honey

Salt

1. Heat the oven to 300 degrees. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil, and add the pecans. Boil until the nuts are softened, about 5 minutes. Strain the nuts, discarding the water.

2. In a medium bowl, toss the nuts with the sugar, honey and a pinch of salt. Place on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet and cook until the nuts are dried and toasted, 45 minutes to an hour. Toss the nuts after 25 minutes, and then check every 5 to 10 minutes. Remove and set aside to cool. This makes more candied pecans than are needed for the remainder of the recipe; the nuts will keep for weeks, sealed in a container in a cool, dry place.

BRUSSELS SPROUTS

1 pound Brussels sprouts, halved lengthwise

3 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Adjust the oven to 400 degrees. In a bowl, toss the sprouts with the olive oil, salt and pepper, then spread them out on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast the sprouts until the edges start to crisp, 25 to 30 minutes, tossing halfway. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool. The Brussels sprouts can be made up to 3 days in advance; cover and refrigerate until needed.

DIJON DRESSING

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons minced shallots

2 tablespoons honey

4 1/2 teaspoons white wine vinegar

1/2 cup olive oil

Salt and pepper

In a measuring cup or deep bowl, combine the mustard, shallots, honey and vinegar. With an immersion blender running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil to blend. Season with a pinch each of salt and pepper, or to taste. This makes about three-fourths cup dressing, more than is needed for the remainder of the recipe; the dressing will keep up to 1 week, covered and refrigerated.

BRUSSELS SPROUTS SALAD

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon oil

Brussels sprouts

32 candied pecan halves

1/4 cup Dijon dressing, or to taste

4 ounces goat cheese

1. In a large sauté pan heated over high heat, add the butter, oil and sprouts (depending on the size of your pan, this may need to be done in batches to prevent crowding). Sauté the sprouts to warm through, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the pecan halves and drizzle over the Dijon dressing, tossing to coat. Remove from heat.

2. Divide the salad among four plates and top each with crumbled goat cheese. Serve immediately.

EACH SERVING

Calories 496

Protein 11 grams

Carbohydrates 18 grams

Fiber 5 grams

Fat 44 grams

Saturated fat 12 grams

Cholesterol 30 mg

Sugar 9 grams

Sodium 558 mg

NOTE: Adapted from Chef Richard Wirz of Palazzo Giuseppe in San Luis Obispo. This recipe calls for the use of an immersion blender; the dressing can also be assembled using a stand blender.