Brussels sprouts, often a divisive vegetable at Christmas dinners, can be transformed into a 'golden, crunchy and addictive' dish with the addition of Parmesan cheese, according to recipe box company Gousto. The firm has seen a 50% rise in UK searches for sprout recipes in the past month as the festive season approaches.
Sophie Nahmad, lead recipe developer at Gousto, explained that smashing the sprouts before roasting increases surface area, creating crispy edges. 'Parmesan brings the umami hit, so instead of slightly bitter boiled sprouts, you get crunchy, cheesy bites that feel special enough for Christmas but easy enough for weeknights,' she said.
The recipe involves boiling sprouts for six to eight minutes until just tender, then flattening them gently with the bottom of a mug on a baking tray. After drizzling with olive oil and seasoning, a generous scattering of Parmesan is added before roasting at 200°C (180°C fan) for 15–20 minutes until golden and crisp.
Nahmad emphasised the simplicity of the method: 'It’s almost embarrassingly simple, but the result is so delicious.' Optional finishes include lemon zest or chilli flakes. The dish has a prep time of ten minutes and a cooking time of 25 minutes, making it a convenient festive side.
