Yeah. I know. As a kid, I would be like “EWE, YUCK, BRUSSEL SPROUTS!”
That was then and this is now. But of course, I don’t boil my brussel sprouts. I roast them until they just begin to char.
Most folks don’t like their sprouts chared — just don’t let them stay in the oven as long as I do!
Like most roasted vegetables, sometimes it takes a bit of playing with the spices to get them to taste the way you like them. I kind of liked roasted brussel sprouts, but when I found out about Za’atar spice and tried it, I was won over.
Therfore as you read, the next section
1. I am not a trained chef or nutritionist.
2. I am not a medical professional.
3. I am not a professional photographer.
Ingredients
1 lb brussel sprouts
3 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon za’atar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
Preparation and cooking
Preparation is very simple.
- Wash the brussel sprouts, trim the ends, and slice in half, then place them cut side up on a foil lined pan.
- In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, lime juice, garlic powder, and za’atar, then drizzle over the brussel sprouts.
- Roast in a 400 degree oven until they begin to turn brown, about 15 minutes.
Just a few notes
Normally I prefer to pick out my own brussel sprouts from the bulk bin so I can get sprouts that are close to the same size. However, the store was crowded and I didn’t want to stand in folks way, so I opted for the bag. As you can tell in the bag, there is a variety of sizes. Also, there were quite a few loose leaves that fell off. I try to find sprouts that are firmer in the bulk bin.
So what is this magic spice that made me love brussel sprouts? It depends if you are going for the herb or the blend. I go for the blend. There is an herb called za’atar akdar that is a wild thyme or Syrian oregano. But what you are most likely going to find in the store is the blend.
You may have to try a few different brands to find the blend you like best because the proportions change. It’s usually a mix of oegano, thyme, sesame seeds and sumac. Sometimes cumin, coriander and anise are used. Depending on the blend, you can get different flavors. I like the earthy, nutty flavor so I tend to shy away from the blends that contain anise.
If you try this recipe, let me know how you like the spice blend with brussel sprouts!