butter-braised brussels sprouts with lemon and dill

A sunny, windy day , 9 degrees above zero.  A little interlude between snowstorms, though another 8 inches are in the future .  The path from the house to the car is hip high, and drifts lean against the windows and doors.  But it is the end of February, so the end is in sight, though mud season should be quite an adventure once it all melts!

Bustling in the kitchen while the roof is being shoveled - again - I rediscovered the brussels sprouts I bought several days ago, hiding behind the chicken and kale soup (which I am already tired of) and the bowl of roasted chicken stock (which should go immediately into the already full freezer).  Joy, oh joy!  Finally a vegetable I can get excited about again!  I also found half a plump cucumber, which I peeled, seeded, and cut into half moons.

The sprouts were trimmed and braised in butter and olive oil and finished with a quick squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of fresh dill, salt and pepper and polished off for lunch.


Braised Brussels Sprouts with lemon and dill

2 cups brussels sprouts, trimmed and quartered
1 cup peeled, seeded cucumber, sliced into half moons (about 1/2 cucumber) optional
1 tablespoon good olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/2 cup water
kosher or sea salt
freshly cracked pepper
two squeezes of fresh lemon juice
1 heaping teaspoon chopped fresh dill


Melt the butter in a heavy bottomed saucepan on medium-low heat.  Add the olive oil, then the brussels sprouts and cucumber.  Cook ten minutes, stirring often, until the sprouts begin to sear. 
Turn heat to low and add the water.  Cover the pot and cook until the sprouts and cucumber are just tender when poked with a fork - it took me about 15 minutes.
Add salt, pepper, dill, and a few squeezes of lemon before serving.

Now, back to looking at sunny summer photos in Maine on Sass & Veracity - bliss!