Crispy Brussel Sprouts with Avocado

There's a restaurant in Swarthmore that serves an appetizer called crispy broccoli. You would think a broccoli appetizer would be boring, but you'd be wrong about this one. Since we're in Durham this year, no crispy broccoli for me. So, I thought I'd try to make a version of it at home as a side dish. 

Notes: You think you don't want avocado with your vegetables, but oh you do. That's the part that makes the crispy broccoli appetizer interesting! It's a great mix of textures and the smooth avocado pairs great with the earthy brussel sprouts. 

When you make oven-baked fries, you sprinkle them with flour or cornstarch to get them to crisp up on the outside. I tried that with the brussel sprouts, but I'm not sure it made a difference. They basically has the same texture they always do when I roast brussel sprouts. I went ahead and included that step anyway. 

If you don't roast your veggies, you're missing out. It's one of the most flavorful preparations. If you have a veggie hater in your life, serve them roasted veggies and they might change their tune. 

Ingredients:

1 package/bunch of brussel sprouts

1-2 avocados

1 lime, juiced

2 teaspoons soy sauce

1 teaspoon sesame seeds

1 teaspoon flour or cornstarch

Salt and pepper

Olive oil for drizzling

Directions: Heat the oven to 425. While the oven is heating, put your baking sheet in the oven so that it gets hot. 

While the oven is heating, trim the ends off brussel sprouts and remove the smaller outer leaves. Slice them in half. Put them in a bowl, season with salt and pepper, and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle on the flour or cornstarch and mix with your hands until no white remains on the sprouts. 

When the oven is hot, take your baking sheet out and brush it with olive oil. Put the sprouts cut side down on the baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking.

While the sprouts are in the oven, prep the avocado. Mash it in a bowl, add in the soy sauce and lime juice, and season with a little salt. Taste it before you add more salt (since soy sauce can be salty). 

To serve, spread some avocado on the plate. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Pile the sprouts on top of the avocado and enjoy!