This is why boiled Brussels sprouts can smell so bad (and what you can do about it)
Brussels sprouts aren’t exactly known as the class favorite. In fact, many people loathe Brussels sprouts. And not only because they taste so bitter. No, the smell doesn’t exactly do Brussels sprouts any favors either. How can it be that boiled Brussels sprouts smell so incredibly bad?
Boiled Brussels sprouts: for some, a full-blown childhood trauma. That taste. That texture. That color. And above all… That STENCH. Your entire house would smell because of them. No, Brussels sprouts don’t have much going for them in many respects. Many adults have really had to practice eating Brussels sprouts. Me too. Fortunately, I like them much better now (especially stir-fried), but that smell is still unbearable, if you ask me. What can you do about it?
Not so sulfurous
First of all: how exactly does that stench develop? It starts when they grow into the green little cabbages they eventually become. As they grow, they absorb the sulfur found in the soil. Cook the Brussels sprouts, and those volatile sulfur compounds are released. That’s exactly what causes the musty smell. If you cook your Brussels sprouts for too long, the smell only gets worse. So here’s one tip already: don’t cook your Brussels sprouts until they turn into smelly mush! Small Brussels sprouts take 2 to 6 minutes to cook, while large ones take 8 to 12 minutes.
Milk and onion
But there’s something else you can do to get ahead of the unpleasant smell: cook them with a splash of milk or an onion. This keeps the stinky Brussels sprout smell from becoming overwhelmingly intense. So be sure to add one to the pan. You’ll see that your love for Brussels sprouts starts to grow again. And then you can get cooking. For example, by making Brussels sprout soup, or loaded fries with Brussels sprouts (highly recommended!).
Also read:
- Recipe: utterly delicious comfort food, this pan-toasted sandwich with Brussels sprouts and caramelized onion
- Recipe: deep-fried Brussels sprouts (does this still count as a vegetable?)
- 6 tricks to get rid of your smelly kitchen sink
Source: Mezza / AD
