Skillet Brussels Sprouts
- 1 1/2 pounds fresh, firm Brussels sprouts
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 plump garlic cloves, peeled and sliced (about 3 tablespoons)
- 1/4 teaspoon dried peperoncino (hot red pepper flakes)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup Lemon Sauce (recipe follows)
- A 12-inch skillet or saute pan with a tight-fitting cover
- 2 lemons
- 4 or 5 fat garlic cloves, peeled 2 medium onions, peeled and cut in wedges or big chunks (about 3 cups)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon dried peperoncino (hot red pepper flakes)
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups water
- (makes 1 1/2 cup sauce, enough for 2 or 3 vegetables dishes)
- Rinse and drain the sprouts.
- Working over a big bowl with a sharp paring knife, cut off (and discard) 1/4 inch or so of the base of each sprout, freeing the outer leaves.
- Now stick the point of the knife into whats left of the base and slice out the tiny core, in one cone-shaped piecejust as you would cut out the bigger core of a cabbage or cauliflower.
- This loosens the inner leaves.
- Discard the small core.
- Begin peeling off the outermost leaves, discarding only wilted or blemished leaves; drop all the fresh dark-green leaves, even thick ones, into the bowl.
- Keep peeling off the leaves until you reach the tiny ones that cant be pulled apart.
- Cut this bundle in slivers and drop them into the bowl.
- When all are done you will have a large fluffy pile of leaves.
- Put the oil and the garlic in the skillet and set over medium heat.
- Let the garlic cook and caramelize lightly for 4 minutes or so, shaking the pan now and then.
- Dump in the sprout leaves, shake the pan to spread them out, then sprinkle the peperoncino and salt all over.
- Cover the skillet and let the leaves cook and wilt for 4 to 5 minutes, giving the pan an occasional shake, then uncover and turn them well with a big spoon or tongs.
- The leaves should be sizzling but not browninglower the heat if necessary.
- Cover again.
- Cook another 4 to 5 minutes, until the leaves are soft, greatly reduced in volume, but still green and glistening.
- Serve the Brussels sprouts hot right from the skillet or turn them onto a warm platter.
- To serve with lemon or another sauce, spread 1/2 cup of warm sauce in the bottom of a platter and pile the Brussels sprouts on top.
- Scoop up sauce with each serving-spoonful of leaves.
- Rinse and dry the lemons.
- With a sharp vegetable peeler or paring knife, shave off the outer yellow zest in strips, taking none of the bitter white pith, until you have about 1/4 cup of strips, packed together.
- Juice some or all of the lemons, straining to remove seeds and pulp, to get about 1/3 cup of lemon juice.
- Put the juice, strips of peel, garlic, onion, and salt in a 2-quart saucepan; pour in the water and 1 tablespoon of the oil.
- Bring to a boil, cover, and cook for about 20 minutes at a gentle boil.
- Remove the cover and cook rapidly for 20 or 30 minutes, or until the overall volume has reduced by half and the onion pieces are barely covered in liquid.
- Puree the warm sauce in a blender or food processor.
- With the machine running, pour the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a thin stream to incorporate it into the sauce.
- Taste the sauce and blend in salt if needed; reheat if necessary before serving.
- Store in the refrigerator.
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Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/skillet-brussels-sprouts-384500 (may not work)