Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Dijon, Walnuts & Crisp Crumbs

Serves six to eight.

To learn more, read:
Sprouting Up
by Martha Holmberg
from Fine Cooking
Issue 89
Last Edit Date: 5/19/2011 12:19:14 PM

The mustard-Worcestershire seasoning is a tangy counterpoint to the sprouts, which—despite people’s remembrances from childhood—are essentially sweet and nutty.

more about:

1/4 cup plus 1 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tbs. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. caraway seeds, toasted lightly and crushed
3/4 tsp. kosher salt; more to taste
Freshly ground black pepper
2 lb. Brussels sprouts, ends trimmed, cut through the core into quarters
1 Tbs. unsalted butter
1 cup coarse fresh breadcrumbs
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Position racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven and heat the oven to 400°F. Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment.

In a large bowl, whisk 1/4 cup of the olive oil with the mustard, Worcestershire sauce, caraway seeds, 1/2 tsp. of the salt, and about 10 grinds of pepper. Add the Brussels sprouts and toss to thoroughly distribute the mustard mixture. Spread the sprouts in an even layer on the two baking sheets.

Roast until the cores of the sprouts are just barely tender and the leaves are browning and crisping a bit, 20 to 25 minutes (if your oven heat is uneven, rotate the pans midway through cooking).

While the sprouts are roasting, make the topping: Line a plate with two layers of paper towel. Heat the remaining 1 Tbs. oil with the butter in a medium (10-inch) skillet over medium-high heat. When the butter has stopped foaming, add the breadcrumbs all at once; toss to coat with the fat. Reduce the heat to medium, add the walnuts and the remaining 1/4 tsp. salt, and cook, stirring constantly, until the crumbs are browned and slightly crisp and the nuts are golden, 4 to 6 minutes. (The crumbs will start to sound “scratchy” as they get crisp.) Dump the breadcrumb mixture onto the paper towels to drain the excess fat.

Transfer the sprouts to a serving bowl and season to taste with salt and pepper if necessary. Sprinkle the crumbs over the sprouts just before serving.

Make Ahead Tips

You can fry the crumb topping up to 2 hours before serving.

nutrition information (per serving):
Size : based on eight servings; Calories (kcal): 200; Fat (g): 15; Fat Calories (kcal): 130; Saturated Fat (g): 2.5; Protein (g): 5; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 7; Carbohydrates (g): 14; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 4.5; Sodium (mg): 270; Cholesterol (mg): 5; Fiber (g): 5;

Photo: Scott Phillips

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by grlup, 4/4/2013Very good. Easy to make and not too time consuming. Flavoring was very good. Will make again.

by m2violin, 12/27/2009I love Brussels Sprouts, but this was something of a disappointment. Looking back, I think I erred in not serving the Brussels Sprouts immediately, but rather leaving them in a warm oven while I served the first two courses. I should have used fresh bread crumbs rather than the Panko crumbs that I used. It just seemed very dry to me.

by nicolfe, 9/25/2009This was delicious! I didn't use the breadcrumb/butter/nuts, to keep it dairy/gluten free, but didn't miss it.

by brava313, 12/6/2008

by Manzorick, 4/2/2008This is an easy recipe to make. Everyone loved it even those that protested that they did not care for brussels sprouts. It is handy because it can be popped into the oven and timed to be ready with the main course.

by TrendyDolFan, 3/15/2008Is there a brussels recipe I don't like? Doubt it! Anyway, this is yummy but just halve the sprouts if they are smallish.

by Thanakorn, 3/6/2008This recipe has single-handedly made me a brussel sprouts lover! I have been making this every week for nearly a month. It has a bunch of little steps but it is well worth it.

by CapeSanBlas, 1/2/2008This recipe results in brussel sprouts that are still crisp and tasty with a topping that provides crunch - a big hit at a dinner party!

by Conniecook, 12/26/2007The whole family raved about this one! I increased worcestershire sauce to 1 Tblsp and (unfortunately) had to omit the caraway...but it was still great. High praise from a family that loves sprouts!

by DurhamYankee, 11/26/2007

by youngchef, 11/25/2007The dijon sauce was quite delicious, as where the bread crumbs(my family ate most of them plain!!) Make sure your breadcrumbs are fresh so they will glom together with the butter. My bread crumbs were several years old, left in the basement and very dried out, and i had to keep adding butter to get them to the right consistancy. I followed the right amount of cooking time, yet the sprouts seeemed dry. I feel like they could have gotten another coat of sauce in the middle of roasting. Because the flavor of the dijon sauce seemed to dissapear dramaticaly by the end. Bottom line: it was a good recipe to go along with my other thanksgiving ones. Would probably not repeat it agai.

by surprises, 11/24/2007Excellent, used as a thanksgiving dish, would definately make again

by gutsy, 11/6/2007If I could see the recipe, I'd gladly rate. Strange how I can write a review for the recipe but the system does not allow me to see it. I've contacted your folks too many times but wanted to see if, indeed, I could write a review???