Shaved Brussels Sprouts and Kale Salad with Pomegranate and Crispy Farro Recipe | The Feedfeed (2024)

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I’ll be honest, I am a total sucker for a salad. There’s something about a heaping bowl of greens that brings me copious amounts of joy. Yes, the title of my autobiography will be “Basic and Proud,” you don’t need to tell me. This salad is no exception to my undying love of veg-forward concoctions–bursting with sweet pomegranate arils, creamy goat cheese crumbles, and crunchy fried farro, this wintery wonder is perfect for your next dinner party. If you’re whipping this up for a cozy weeknight dinner, go ahead and toss in some grilled chicken or top it with a seared salmon fillet and call it a day.

To start, let’s chat about the crunchy morsels of joy that are scattered throughout this dish–crunchy farro! The first time that I tried a fried grain, I was immediately obsessed. This clever technique, which I learned from Ann Taylor-Pittman (she *literally* wrote the book on whole grains, check it out!) will work with any of your favorite cooked whole grains–farro, spelt, millet, quinoa, you name it. Drying out the cooked grain beforehand is imperative. Not only will this help to avoid excessive bubbling when frying the grains, the final product will be irresistibly crispy. If you’re up for it, I’d highly recommend frying more grains than you’ll need for this salad, as you’ll want to toss these crispy morsels on everything from soups to pasta to casseroles to snack mixes. Seal ‘em up in an airtight container and keep them in your pantry. If you do plan to fry more grains, just make sure to work in ½-cup batches, so as not to overcrowd the pot

Now, for the greens in this salad, this is not your classic romaine number. As much as I loveroasted or sauteed Brussels sprouts, I’ll be the first to admit that raw Brussels sprouts are intensely underrated. For the most enjoyable raw Brussels sprout-eating experience, there are two very important tips to keep in mind. First, make sure to shave them as finely as possible. Whether you’re trimming, halving, and slicing thinly with a knife or simply letting your mandoline do the work, it’s important to cut them up as finely as possible. Nobody wants to snack on a whole sprout, okay? Second, give ‘em a massage! Yes, I know. Sounds weird, but trust me, your teeth (and your digestive system…) will thank you. Breaking down some of the tough fibers manually will make the entire salad way more palatable. Toss the sprout shavings and kale with some freshly squeezed lemon juice and a little bit of salt, then get on in there. These greens aren’t going to massage themselves! Still not ready? Watch my video tutorial on how to get your sprouts salad ready!

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  • Recipe Card

Prep time 10mins

Cook time 1hr 20mins

Serves or Makes: 6-8

Recipe Card

For the Salad

ingredients

  • 1 pound Brussels sprouts, shaved
  • 1 bunch lacinato kale, chiffonade
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • 2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
  • 3/4 cup pomegranate arils, (from about 1 pomegranate)
  • Crispy farro (recipe below)
  • Vinaigrette (recipe below)

For the Salad

Method

  • Step 1

    Toss Brussels sprouts and kale in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with lemon juice and salt, then massage until greens are well coated and slightly softened, about 3 minutes. Mix in goat cheese, pomegranate arils, crispy farro and vinaigrette until well incorporated, then serve.

For the Crispy Farro

ingredients

  • 4 cups vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup cooked farro
  • Kosher salt, to taste

For the Crispy Farro

  • Step 1

    Line a rimmed baking sheet with paper towels and spread cooked farro in a thin layer. Let sit for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally, to dry out the grains.

  • Step 2

    Line a separate rimmed baking sheet with paper towels. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven (the pot needs to be large because excess moisture will cause bubbling when the farro is added) until a thermometer submerged in oil registers 375°F. Add cooked grains to oil. Cook until grains are browned and crisp, about 4 minutes. The temperature of the oil should not fall below 350°F. Remove fried grains from oil with a fine wire mesh ladle; drain in a single layer on paper towels. Season with salt immediately.

For the Vinaigrette

ingredients

  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 medium shallot, minced
  • 1 tablespoons honey
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Brightland Olive Oil (Awake)

For the Vinaigrette

  • Step 1

    Combine orange juice, vinegar, thyme and shallot. Let sit until shallot is slightly softened, at least 10 minutes. Whisk in honey and Dijon mustard until combined. Gradually pour in oil while whisking vigorously to emulsify. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Dressing can be made up to 5 days ahead.

Shaved Brussels Sprouts and Kale Salad with Pomegranate and Crispy Farro Recipe | The Feedfeed (2024)

FAQs

Why do brussel sprouts have a bad reputation? ›

Another reason that Brussels sprouts have a bad reputation is that older cultivars used to taste bitter. In the 1990s, Dutch scientist Hans van Doorn isolated the compounds responsible for the bitter flavor. As a result, seed companies were able to breed and select cultivars that contained less of these compounds.

When should you not use brussel sprouts? ›

If any of the leaves have brown spots or are yellowing, it's a sign of early spoilage. If you remove the blemished leaves and the interior looks OK, you can still use the sprout. However, if the interior leaves are also showing blemishes or yellowing, it's best to toss it (or compost it, if you can).

Do Brussels sprouts need feeding? ›

Sow seeds in spring and plant out into fertile soil after all risk of frost has passed. Water regularly, feed with an organic nitrogen-rich fertiliser and stake in autumn to prevent wind rock.

Why won't my brussel sprouts get crispy? ›

Roast the Brussels Sprouts at high heat

If you don't hear them crisping up in the oven, add a little more oil and roast them for a few more minutes until your desire crispiness is achieved!

Why cant you eat raw brussel sprouts? ›

“Like other cruciferous vegetables, raw Brussels sprouts contain indigestible fiber that could cause extra gas in some people who may not be used to eating it raw,” says p*rnsriniyom.

Are brussel sprouts healthier than other vegetables? ›

Brussels sprouts are especially rich in vitamin K, which is necessary for blood clotting and bone health ( 2 ). They're also high in vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps promote iron absorption and is involved in tissue repair and immune function ( 3 ).

What is one major side effect of eating Brussels sprouts? ›

Like other cruciferous veggies, Brussels sprouts have a type of carbohydrate that your body can't easily break down. This can cause you to have belly pain, gas, and either diarrhea or constipation.

Who should not eat brussel sprouts? ›

Therefore, those who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be found to be suffering painfully from consuming Brussels sprouts due to aggravated symptoms of gas and bloating.

Can too many brussel sprouts hurt your stomach? ›

Cruciferous Vegetables

Vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower are high in sulfur and can cause bloating and gas. Try some of these vegetables to see if they are easier to digest: carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, zucchini, green beans, celery and squash.

What to fertilize Brussels sprouts with? ›

Fertilization. Apply ½ cup per 10 feet of row of nitrogen-based fertilizer (21-0-0) at 4 and 8 weeks after transplanting or thinning to encourage vigorous plant growth. Avoid applying additional nitrogen after sprouts begin to form. High nitrogen levels cause loose sprouts and splitting to occur.

How many Brussels sprouts should you eat a day? ›

A ½ cup of Brussels sprouts is a good source of Vitamin K (137% RDI) and Vitamin C (81% RDI) Kids, Ages 5-12 Teens and Adults, Ages 13 and up Males 2½-5 cups per day 42 - 6½ cups per day Females 2½-5 cups per day 3½-5 cups per day *If you are active, eat the higher number of cups per day.

Do brussel sprouts plants like coffee grounds? ›

Coffee loving plants and herbs: green leafy plants, including brussel sprouts, cabbage, chard, kale, lettuce, parsley, and rhubarb.

Is it better to roast Brussels sprouts cut side up or down? ›

Roast 'em! Our two rules: place and space! Place them cut side down to create that slightly crunchy exterior and soft interior. Space them out evenly so they don't steam–a crowded sheet pan party is not where your brussels want to be.

Why do you soak Brussels sprouts before cooking? ›

The soak time tenderizes the sprouts so the middles are softer. Don't worry, they won't be soggy! I would never do that to you. If, like me, you don't mind some chew to your sprouts, you don't need to soak the Brussels sprouts prior to cooking.

Should you cut Brussels sprouts in half before cooking? ›

To maximize the flat areas, which get the most crispy surface area, cut your Brussels sprouts in half. If your Brussels sprouts are very small, you can leave them whole (and if they are very large, quarter them).

Why is brussel sprouts controversial? ›

Surprisingly, it could be your genes that determine your feelings about these controversial little vegetables. A 2011 study by Cornwall College found that sprouts contain a chemical, similar to phenylthiocarbamide, which only tastes bitter to people who have a variation of a certain gene.

Did they genetically modify brussel sprouts to taste better? ›

About 30 years ago, a Dutch scientist identified the chemicals that made brussels sprouts bitter. He selected seed varieties with lower levels of the bitter chemicals and bred new high-yielding varieties that tasted less bitter.

What country eats the most brussel sprouts? ›

Containing more vitamin C than an orange and with just eighty calories in a half pound, Britons eat more of them than any other European country, around 40,000 tonnes a year — and yes, we do eat them all year round. Two-thirds of Brussels sprout consumption in the UK is outside of the festive season.

What culture eats brussel sprouts? ›

Britons eat more Brussels sprouts than any other nation in Europe. Our sprout industry is worth £650m and the area covered by sprout fields in the UK is the equivalent of 3,240 football pitches. It's fair to say that these days, no one loves sprouts more than the British.

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