Brussels Sprout Chips

 

     Do you remember those delicious kale chips we made a while back? Well here is family favorite that are made just the same way. Kale chips may be the favorite of my oldest, but my youngest loves the Brussels sprout chips.

 

     In the late summer and fall we will buy 2-3 stalks a week at the Farmer's Market and use them in lots of meals. Chips are easily our favorite way to prepare them. If they are on the stalk still, carefully use your knife to cut them from the stalk. If you've purchased them off the stalk you're already ahead of the game. 

 

 

     Clean and remove any unwanted leaves from the Brussels sprouts. Then cut them down to bite size pieces, usually we just cut them in half. We've gotten pretty good at being able to dis-assemble these guys buy hand, but it's not exactly a skill everyone possesses. So, for a time saving tip, after you have them halved, pop them into a large Ziploc bag and add 1-2 tablespoons olive oil (depending on the amount of sprouts you're making), salt and pepper. Seal up the bag and shake vigorously! Make it a game. Give it to the kids for a turn, dance across the kitchen with it...I find "Shake Senora" to be my most effective accompaniment...just so you know. Make cooking fun!

 

     Once the sprouts are fully coated they will have also been "roughed up" enough to lose several leaves. This is good news, the more leaves the better. In fact I pull as many leaves off as I can. The leaves will be what crisp up and get the most chip-like, the sprouts will toast up but will never get fully crispy like a chip. So free leaves are good!

 

     Put the sprouts and leaves onto a baking sheet or glass baking dish and proceed as you would with the kale chips. Have the oven at 350 deg F and check/toss them about every 15 minutes until they get to your desired crispness. They will take a bit longer than kale chips, ours usually go for about 45 minutes. They are an amazing side dish that can be served hot or cold, and have converted many Brussels sprout haters to lovers. I love converting haters, too, it can be so gratifying! To amp up the side dish we will often add crumbled bacon to the process. This preparation is a big hit at picnics and BBQs.

 

Good luck, I hope they become a favorite of yours, too.

 

Simple City Sam