Crispy Maple Brussels & Peanut Sauce
Whenever I travel, one of the factors that I like to structure my trips around is finding vegan friendly places for the sake of a good meal of course but also for inspiration. I am a bit particular when it comes to finding vegan options out and about because I don't want just another impossible burger, especially when I am on vacation. I am looking for something creative. Maybe something seasonal or a little more intention behind the dish and less of a sad vegan afterthought.
A couple years ago I went to Asheville North Carolina and there was a fully vegan restaurant that I still dream of to this day, called Plant. If you ever visit Ashville I highly recommend making a reservation ! I tried a lot of things from their seasonal menu and one thing that impressed me forever was this dish with brussels sprouts that had an oddly cheesy cumin peanut sauce that kinda took me by surprise that I have been replicating at home ever since.
It's one of those flavor combinations that you just feel is impossible to work but then it just does. Since then this has become my favorite way to eat brussels sprouts.
Crispy Maple Brussels & Peanut Sauce
* Makes 2 servings * Ingredients
1 pound - brussels sprouts cut in half
Grapeseed oil for cooking
2 tbsp - maple syrup
1 tbsp tabasco hot sauce
1 tbsp - minced garlic
Peanut Sauce
1/2 cup - peanut butter
2 tbsp - soy sauce
2 tbsp - nutritional yeast
1 tsp - cumin
1 tbsp - maple syrup
1 tsp - garlic powder
1/4 cup - fresh lime juice
1/4 cup - boiling water
Garnishes
2 tbsp - chopped peanuts
2 tbsp - chopped cilantro.
Instructions
Step 1 - Make the peanut sauce
To make this I used a large measuring cup and a whisk along some boiling water. I like to put the peanut butter first and everything on top to allow everything to combine better. Adding on top the soy sauce, nutritional yeast, cumin, garlic powder, lime juice and then the hot water to whisk it all together evenly. Then set this aside while you work on the brussels.
Step 2 - Char the brussels sprouts
First cut each brussels sprouts stem off and then cut it in half. I like to char them in a cast iron however an air fryer is a good second option too if you don’t have a cast iron handy. If using a cast iron, heat the pan with some oil that has a high spoke point like grapeseed oil. Once the pan is hot, place each brussel facing down on the pan to get a good sear. Allow them to sear till crispy and golden brown. Then drizzle in the soy sauce and give it al a good toss before turning off the heat and drizzling the brussels sprouts with maple syrup and hot sauce.
Step 3 - Plate
To plate this I like the peanut sauce to be warm but not too hot otherwise it becomes a weird consistency. You can spoon some sauce on to a plate and place the brussels on top or plate the brussels and drizzle the sauce on top of the brussels. Then garnish it all with some chopped peanuts and cilantro.
