These crispy Brussels sprouts are roasted in a hot oven, then tossed with flavorful harissa and topped with dollops of fresh goat cheese.
One of the things I love most about my Indianapolis neighborhood isn’t the houses, the mature trees, or the parks, it’s the walkability. I grew up in suburban Minnesota and we had to drive everywhere. Most places were 10-20 minutes drive away. But when I moved to Indianapolis after graduating from college, I gradually discovered that the city was structured in a walkable way. I walked to the grocery store and coffee shop, the fresh produce stand in an old gas station, and the small cabin that has been converted into an ice cream shop. The more I walked, the more I loved him. I felt connected to my place. Read on to find out how this relates to Crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts and the recipe!
Related: The best goat cheese recipes
I recently had the privilege of speaking with an incredible entrepreneur, Majora Carter. She has worked in urban regeneration and real estate development for years and gave one of the first TED Talks in 2006. She lives in the South Bronx and has worked to beautify her community for years. One of the things that struck me about her work is that she asks people what the ideal community is that they would like to live in. Cafes, restaurants and good grocery stores top the list time and time again.
Living close to places with quality food and places to meet makes me literally love my community. It makes me feel like I’m part of something bigger, even when I’m going to the grocery store or having a cup of coffee. My little corner of Indianapolis is buzzing with activity: people meeting to chat over drinks or to get ingredients for tonight’s dinner. It brings energy and vitality to our place that can be felt. Part of Majora’s mission was to provide gathering places with quality food to low-status communities. She helped start a coffee shop in the South Bronx called the Boogie Down Grind Cafe, which is a beauty spot in an approximate zip code. In addition to quality coffee, it also offers portions of vegetables.
This Crispy Brussels Sprouts recipe was inspired by one of those walk-in restaurants in my neighborhood, a pub called Twenty Tap. In addition to a huge selection of craft beers, the food is excellent with many vegan and vegetarian options. And it’s a 5 minute walk from our house (or 2 minutes if I’m cutting into my neighbor’s yard). We went there with my family a few weeks ago and ordered a starter of crispy Brussels sprouts, harissa and goat cheese among other things. There were a few other components (and it was too spicy for most of my family!) but I loved the concept and took it home to our kitchen to play with.
How to make crispy Brussels sprouts
Alex and I find that Brussels sprouts are best prepared by roasting them in a very hot oven until they turn black and crispy. We toss them with olive oil and salt, then roast Brussels sprouts at 450 degrees to make them super crispy! (Here’s our favorite recipe for the best Brussels sprouts!) We used our tried-and-true method for these crispy Brussels sprouts, then topped with store-bought harissa and topped with dollops of fresh goat cheese. The end result was so delicious we knew we had to share the recipe here. If you don’t like spicy food, you can find a mild harissa for it; it adds fantastic flavor without the heat.
Not long ago, I would have frowned at the thought of Brussels sprouts on my plate. The little green guys are making a big comeback these days. I hope they continue to delight eaters everywhere, especially with creative recipes that add lots of flavor. We ate this crispy Brussels sprouts as a snack for a movie, although it would make a fantastic side dish or appetizer. Either way, they were born out of the community around us: all the more reason to remain committed to the community around us.
Looking for more Brussels sprouts recipes?
Brussels sprouts have made a big comeback, especially crunchy Brussels sprouts. Here are our favorite Brussels sprouts recipes:
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And a few of our favorite appetizer recipes:
This recipe is…
This crispy Brussels sprouts recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free. For vegans or vegetarians, omit the goat cheese.
The description
These crispy Brussels sprouts are roasted in a hot oven, then tossed with flavorful harissa and topped with dollops of fresh goat cheese.
- 1 Brussels sprouts pounds
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons sweet or spicy harissa (to taste)
- 2 ounces crumbled goat cheese
- Preheat oven to 450°F.
- Cut the Brussels sprouts from the stalk if necessary. Cut off any hard ends, then cut the larger shoots in halves or thirds each. In a bowl, mix them with olive oil, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Fry until tender and charred, about 15 minutes (stirring is not necessary).
- When the Brussels sprouts are done, mix with the harissa and top with goat cheese crumble. Serve hot.
- Category: garnish
- Method: Cooked
- Kitchen: American
Keywords: Crispy Brussels Sprouts, How To Make Crispy Brussels Sprouts, Roasted Brussels Sprouts 450, Brussels Sprouts Recipes, Appetizer Recipes, Side Recipes
