A delectable marriage of winter flavors, the brightness of brussels sprouts and the warm softness of pears – with a bit of a mustard kick – may be one of my new favorite pairings.
Vegetables and fruits can still really surprise us, in the best ways.
Tips: I used some tarragon mustard in the dressing, which really punched it up, but a strong dijon mustard will also do the trick. I really enjoy all of Fallot’s flavored mustards (pain d’epices is another favorite).
The dressing is really versatile and is also fantastic with fish!
Roasted brussels sprouts with pear
You’ll need:
- 3 cups brussels sprouts
- 1 large ripe pear (I used Bartlett), sliced lengthwise
- 1 small spanish onion, chopped
- olive oil
- salt, pepper
For the dressing:
(adapted from Nigel Slater‘s Tender)
- 2 T sherry vinegar
- 2 T walnut oil
- 2 T olive oil
- pinch of sugar
- 2 t tarragon (or dijon) mustard
1. Preheat oven to 425F. Trim the brussels sprouts, leaving them whole unless they are too large (then halve them).
2. In a medium-sized baking dish, toss together the brussels sprouts, onions, and pears with olive oil, a pinch of salt and black pepper. Don’t slice the pears too thinly as they will really soften while baking.
3. Roast brussels sprouts, onions, and pear for 30-35 minutes.
4. In the meantime, make the dressing by whisking together all of the ingredients in a small bowl. Serve brussels sprouts and pear with a spoonful of mustard dressing.
cecilia says
I love brussel sprouts and with pears.. divine! really divine.. c
saffronandhoney says
I think you would really love this, C! Enjoy 🙂
cecilia says
I am going to make it for sure, in fact I ordered some brussels sprouts seeds yesterday!! and I have pear trees – so fingers crossed (again!).. c
saffronandhoney says
The pear trees at my parents’ house really suffered throughout the hurricane last year so keeping my fingers crossed for all of yours 🙂 x
cecilia says
oh bad luck, that hurricane will have long reaching effects. That late mean frost killed our pears off last year so hopefully this spring will be a goodie! c
The Wanderlust Gene says
Sounds terrific. Another one for my ‘winter in Oz’ file later in the yer!
saffronandhoney says
Enjoy the extreme sunshine until then :)!
Our Growing Paynes says
I’ll have to show this to my husband, he loves brussel sprouts but it is an interesting pairing with pear.
saffronandhoney says
Thanks! I hope you both enjoy it!
Three Well Beings says
I can guarantee you that I will be making this soon! I absolutely love Brussels’ Sprouts and I’m almost teased for how often I serve them. I have sometimes wondered what nutrient I am low on, because to have a craving for such a vegetable is a little strange! I would never have come up with this particular dressing and I’m already salivating. This is elegant! 🙂
saffronandhoney says
I’m so glad, Debra! Brussels sprouts used to be something I did not like very much, but now I adore them! And they can be prepared in so many ways.
yummychunklet says
Ooh, pear and Brussels sprouts. Yum!
saffronandhoney says
Thank you!