All content copyright Katrina Hall 2008 through 2025

Friday, February 20, 2015

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!




 


4 comments:

La Table De Nana said...

Isn't this winter something?
I have no words.. because if I say it is still beautiful..I am perhaps not also writing about how do the homeless survive?
But I have to find the beauty..and it is there.And I know you see it too..
It's so cold here the children don't go out at lunch and recess..teachers neither..long days..stalled cars..accidents,black ice.
Wose winter I can remember.But we have beds ..and a roof(granted always a concern!)!OY..
And lovely brussel sprouts:)
What to say and make of this all?

Take care ..stay warm.. unbelievable..And the wind!!!!

katrina said...

Oh, Nana - I think all the time about people living in cars, children coming home to an icy house, elders living in one room, bundled up and trying to conserve their oil and electricity. I do wish the United States built better, less expensive housing that avoided using oil and gas. Super insulation and solid building design + solar just seems sensible. Oh, the cars! Mine had to be jump-started the other day, but she started up quick as can be. Take pleasure in your kitchen , children, grands, and art, which can only spread more joy in this world. Stay warm!

La Table De Nana said...

My daughter the teacher..her car twice this winter!

I know our homes should be insulated for Siberia..

We take pleasure where it is right?:)

katrina said...

Oh, Nana - we carry on, don't we? In the States, we are strong New Englanders - but not sure at all what you are up in Canada? Stay warm!