Brussels Sprouts Gratin

Well, sorry. I'm just going through a casseroly thing and that's what I mostly feel like blogging about at the moment. I'm sure it will pass eventually. Weird time to be going through a casseroly thing, isn't it? Usually people get into casseroly things when the temperature is starting to cool down and fall is coming, not when it's sweltering hot and turning on the oven seems absolutely irrational. But, hey, if you're in the southern hemisphere - high-five for casseroly things!


If  the Brussels sprouts look burned, it's because they were. I zoned out while I was broiling them and they just turned black within seconds. I was actually kneeling down in front of the oven watching them! This happens often. I'm supposed to keep an eye on something so it doesn't burn and my brain decides that it's a good time to make up a story about a cheeky duck with superpowers and next thing I know the smoke alarm is going off. Would the duck have laser vision? Would she have a goose sidekick that would deliver cheesy one-liners? Would she have a squirrel nemesis? Would she wear a cape? *beep beep beep beep*

Here's an inside shot so you can actually see the green sprouts.


This is the recipe that I used, although I only made half of this recipe (and made two minis, of course) because I was the only one eating this. Mr. Wing-It would rather eat his own eyeballs before he eats a Brussels sprout. That's a slight exaggeration.

A gratin is supposed to have a browned top, but mine doesn't because I was out of breadcrumbs and I didn't feel like making fresh ones so I just skipped them. The Brussels sprouts were *ahem* "browned". Does that count?

The recipe also calls for dairy butter, cheese, and cream, which were all easy to replace with vegan items. For the cream, I blended 1/4 cup of overnight-soaked cashews with 1/2 cup of So Delicious unsweetened coconut milk. My cheese was (ground) Follow Your Heart Mozzarella Shreds, which I got on sale for $2.49! I don't know how much vegan cheeses cost where you live, but at our local grocery store both Daiya and Follow Your Heart cost almost five bucks per bag of shreds, so when I saw them on sale for $3.49 AND each bag had a $1 off coupon stuck to it, I had to stock up! Now we have two in the fridge and two in the freezer for later. I love getting a good deal!



The mozzarella shreds worked beautifully in this recipe. The mildness of the cheese and the smooth cashew cream toned down the strong flavor of the Brussels sprouts. If you're a Brussels sprouts hater, I guarantee that this gratin will turn you into a sprouts lover! OK, that's a massive lie. Sorry.

If you do hate stinky sprouts, allow me to whip out this photo of a cute bunny to help wipe that look of disgust off your face.


Better?

Comments

  1. Love this comforting dish filled with my favorite vegetable (yep, I do love brussels sprouts). It's been cold here, so the casserole is definitely appropriate, haha.

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  2. This has been the strangest summer weather ever! Last week it was cool here too, but this week has been like living in a bowl of hot, steamy soup. It won't keep me from my casseroles though! :)

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  3. It finally rained after this crazy heat wave so I'm actually wearing a hoodie and thinking that casserole looks mighty fine! I sincerely hope you are writing tales about super-powered forest creatures :)

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  4. Weirdo weather! Perhaps I should write tales about super-powered forest creatures. I would have to do lots of research though. That would involve looking out the window all day and watching our ducks, bunnies, squirrels, and birds while eating tasty snacks. I can do that! :)

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  5. Southern hemisphere high five! It's the season for the casseroles! And I love Brussels sprouts! Exclamation mark!

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  6. Exclamation marks for casseroly things!!! Exclamation marks for southern hemisphere high fives!!! :)

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  7. Casseroles know no season for the true casserole lover. If it gets TOO hot, which it rarely does here, I just make my "casserole" in the wok on the stove. I don't mind burned brussels sprouts, either, which is a good thing since I like to roast (read 'burn') them. Your sprouts look delish, and your bunny looks quite well-nourished!

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  8. Bunny does look quite well nourished, doesn't he? He also looks a little uninterested in that grass. Perhaps I should have invited him in for some casserole? Where are my manners?! (He or she? Who can tell?!)

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