Look at me back for a second week of Donna Hay cooking for I Heart Cooking Clubs!! Finally a cooking theme that I will most likely stick with. Now, the only issue is that I will probably not follow the rules. This will come as a surprise to no one actually. This week’s theme is Pantry Magic – and the only things in this recipe that comes from the pantry are the dressing ingredients. This is especially wrong, since one of my favorite cookbooks of hers, Off The Shelf: Cooking From the Pantry is, as you can tell from the title, filled with fabulous pantry using recipes.
But whatever, following the themes is just more organized than I can be at the moment! Especially since I have to be inspired by whatever I receive in my CSA that week. This week? Brussels Sprouts. Not my favorite, but not bad – especially roasted. So, when faced with a bag of Brussels sprouts and pears on sale at the market, who was I to quibble about it being pantry week?
And yes, I probably should have taken a photo after I roasted this pan of fall goodness, but I was hungry. This was wonderful. It was everything I hoped it would be – and oh-so-easy. I subbed spinach for arugula and regular goat cheese for firm because I didn’t read the recipe carefully!
I found this recipe in her iTunes cookbook: Fresh and Light. Which is wonderful!
Roasted Brussels Sprout and Pear Salad
- 500g Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
- 2 firm brown pears, cut into thick wedges
- 1 red onion, peeled and cut into wedges
- 8 sprigs sage
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- salt and pepper to season
- 150g rocket (arugula) leaves (I used spinach)
- 150g firm goats cheese, grated (I used soft)
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the Brussels sprouts cut side up, pears, onions and sage on the sheet. Mix together the oil, vinegar, and brown sugar and drizzle half of it over (I then tossed them). Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast for 30-35 minutes.
Divide the arugula and roasted vegetables between the serving plates, sprinkle with the goats cheese, and the remaining dressing.
Serves 4
This will be my entry for I Heart Cooking Clubs!
This will be my entry for Foodie Friday at the every so lovely Rattlebridge Farm.
grace says
it's amazing how roasting brussels sprouts make them SO much more tasty. gorgeous salad.
Mairi @ Toast says
Beautiful! I actually really like the poor maligned little brussels sprouts & this salad sounds just wonderful!
Deb in Hawaii says
Not to blow your crazy rule-breaking image for this dish but I count the fridge and freezer and CSA box as pantry! 😉 (Could be because of the humidity and bugs much of my non-can "pantry" items end up in the freezer for longer storage.)
This looks fabulous and perfect for fall. Bring on the soft goat cheese!
😉
TeaLady says
The way I see it, once you bring it through the door your house IS your pantry!!!!
Kim says
Pam - You are such a rebel and I totally love it! Pears and brussels sound wonderful together. Such a good fall dish.
Kayte says
There have to be people who don't follow the rules to make life interesting, right? I should do that more often. lol This recipe looks really really fabulous, all those flavors together has me jotting it all down so I can have a go at it as it is the perfect time of year to get great sprouts, onions, pears, etc. Thanks for not following the rules at just the right time! 🙂
Chaya says
I love brussels sprouts and this unusual combination talks to me.
Michelle says
I think a sign like brussels sprouts arriving through your CSA and pears on sale is much more important to follow than the "rules." Have never seen a salad like this!
Couscous & Consciousness says
I'm definitely bookmarking this one. I love roasted brussels sprouts, but never would have thought of teaming them up with pears. Love the goat cheese addition, and I'm thinking a bit of crumbled bacon would be good with this too.
PS Rules are made to be broken. Thrilled to have you cooking along, and if you choose to create a little magic from your CSA box instead of the pantry, no one's going to call you on it 🙂
Velva says
I can totally dig the combination of pears and brussels sprouts....Nice fall flavor combination.
Velva
P.S. Breaking the rules can be a good thing.
kitchen flavours says
These looks good! Brussels Sprouts and Pears, who would have known! I don't!
Zosia says
I love roasted Brussels sprouts and this seems like such a great way to prepare them.
Susan Lindquist says
I will love these roasties, I just know ... love how everything in it is right out in my kitchen ... what a great contribution -
a good yarn says
My dear Grandmother boiled the living daylights out of brussel sprouts. This I would like to try especially with the spinach and goats cheese.
Marjie says
Spinach, arugula...same thing. Both green leaves. Have you ever tried par-boiling the brussels sprouts, then stir frying in olive oil with garlic? Pretty good; Dan says they're only beaten by corn and broccoli when cooked that way. Pretty high praise from a 20-some dude, wouldn't you say? Your roasting looks great, too, but I wouldn't be following the rules, either.
a quiet life says
ooo this looks wonderful, i would just add sprinkles of my fresh poms to be extra happy 🙂
deana sidney says
That is so true. This week when I shot my lamb, I was so bummed that I was watching it cool. I really just wanted to eat them up when they were hot and crisp.
Sometimes you just need to eat great dishes. This is certainly one of them... LOve the pears and sprouts. Great combination.... I couldn't wait either.
deana sidney says
That is so true. This week when I shot my lamb, I was so bummed that I was watching it cool. I really just wanted to eat them up when they were hot and crisp.
Sometimes you just need to eat great dishes. This is certainly one of them... LOve the pears and sprouts. Great combination.... I couldn't wait either.
Joanne says
Following the rules is overrated! I haven't had a single brussel yet this year and obviously I need to change that.
Amy says
My poor family is so tired of eating cold food - photos first. You're smart. And I love these ingredients.
Mary Bergfeld says
This is such an unusual combination that it begs to be tried. I suspect I'll love thee play of flavors. Have a wonderful weekend. Blessings...Mary