It's hard to make a Happy Birthday treat when the celebratory person is on a rigid diet. Yes, there are some sugar free and low fat options, but I chose a different route. My husband's love for brussels sprouts is almost an obsession. If offered a choice between any dessert or a big bowl of steamed brussels sprouts, he would gladly choose the latter. So, when I saw this soup recipe in Sunset magazine, I knew this would be perfect for him. It also contains sundried tomato turkey sausage, potatoes, and caraway seeds. And that's pretty much it. The soup had a slightly sweet flavor, from the caraway seeds and the brussels spouts. This certainly isn't a soup for people who hate these little cabbages, (as I like to think of them), but it was a huge hit with my husband.
Brussels Sprouts And Sausage Soup
Serves 4, or one brussels sprout obsesssed person
(Sunset magazine)
1 lb. brussels sprouts
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1/2 pound thinly sliced sausage (I used sundried turkey tomato, but you can substitute another type, such as andouille.)
3 medium red potatoes
1/2 teaspoon whole caraway seeds
1 bay leaf
4 cups low-fat chicken stock
salt and pepper to taste.
Clean the brussels sprouts by cutting off the bottom end and discarding any loose leaves. Cut each sprout in half and set aside. Heat the oil in a heavy large pot, and cook the sausage until slightly browned, about 6-8 minutes. Add the bay leaf and caraway seeds about one minutes before the sausage are done, and stir for a bout 1 minutes, until they smell fragrant.
Peel the potatoes, if you want, and cut them into 1 inch chunks and add them to the pot with the sausage. Add the stocl and brinl to a boil, then lower the the heat to a low simmer and cook until the potatoes and sprouts are done. Do not over cook! Mine were done in 10 minutes. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper. Serve with toasted rustic country style bread.
That looks really delicious - though I'd skip the caraway seeds. Because they're evil. Aren't brussel sprouts cute? Wee little cabbages. Happy B-day to your hubby - I hope he enjoyed his meal!
Posted by: Jenn | January 15, 2008 at 01:09 PM
I'm probably not someone who'd like this for my birthday (no chocolate...), but the candle helps! Happy birthday to your husband!
Posted by: Lydia | January 15, 2008 at 01:49 PM
How did you know that brussels sprouts are my favorite food? Really, one has to eat something before dessert, and I just love them! This looks like a great way of serving them! Why not have this then a cake with another candle later! Woo! Festive food!
Posted by: Cakespy | January 15, 2008 at 08:01 PM
Happy Birthday to the hubby!
Your idea is wonderful, Sher!
Posted by: Patricia Scarpin | January 16, 2008 at 04:24 AM
Happy Birthday to the Hubby!
That soup looks gorgeous! I wouldn't mind eating that for my own b'day...
Cheers,
Rosa
Posted by: Rosa | January 16, 2008 at 06:13 AM
I wouldn't mind that at all for my birthday,I adore brussel sprouts in anything.
Posted by: Julie | January 16, 2008 at 07:08 AM
Hmm.. with a recipe like this I may have to renew my subscription to Sunset. This looks just fabulous and I bet he loved it. I'm going to give it a try for lunch this coming week.
Posted by: Alisha | January 16, 2008 at 08:29 AM
I am a Brussels sprouts lover, so I would eat every bit of this soup!!
Posted by: Deborah | January 16, 2008 at 08:32 AM
That soup looks delicious! Growing up in California we had brussels sprouts often and at every occasion. I still like them when cooked properly. I'll definately try this. Love the blog...
Bikerchickz
Posted by: Becky | January 16, 2008 at 09:30 AM
A brussels sprouts soup sounds pretty interesting.
Posted by: Kevin | January 16, 2008 at 06:21 PM
What a joy! Odd, my husband loves these brussels sprouts very much also. Not sure he'd pick them over a sweet dessert.
Great color.
Posted by: MyKitchenInHalfCups | January 16, 2008 at 06:51 PM
What a sweet birthday dinner! I love that you made that! Happy b-day to your hubby! Like the hubby, I too am a fan of the brussel sprout, and if given an option between garlic stir fried brussel sprouts or chocolate cake, I would take the sprouts too.
Posted by: Lannae | January 16, 2008 at 09:09 PM
I love those photos and I love Brussels sprouts. Happy birthday to the birthday boy!
Posted by: Christine | January 16, 2008 at 11:20 PM
I was very amased when I first saw the "whole" brussel (the sprouts on a big log) at a farmer market.
Happy everyday to every brussel's lover!
Posted by: gattina | January 17, 2008 at 05:17 AM
I too am a lover of the sprout, and would also forego dessert for a bowl of these! This soup looks wonderful. I wonder if it would work with veggie sausage?
Posted by: anne | January 17, 2008 at 06:15 AM
I would gladly give your husband every single Brussels sprout that comes my way. hehehe Happy Birthday to him, and more power to anyone who keeps the icky little cabbages away from me. ;)
Robyn
Posted by: HotMBC | January 17, 2008 at 08:35 AM
That is innovative and certainly healthy. Love the candle on top Sher. Happy Birthday to your DH :)
Posted by: mandira | January 17, 2008 at 11:19 AM
That is innovative and certainly healthy. Love the candle on top Sher. Happy Birthday to your DH :)
Posted by: mandira | January 17, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Jenn,
My husband is half Czech, and he loves those evil little caraway seeds. I guess it's genetic, because they eat a lot of caraway seeds in Eastern Europe.
Lydia,
Yes, this is a dish for certain people. Brussels sprouts are not universally loved--that's for sure.
Cakespy,
LOL!! You are a Brussels sprouts lover--no doubt about that! I have learned to like them--I had to because We've had them so much over the years.
Patricia,
Thank you. Personally, would have preferred to make one of your lovely desserts!
Rosa,
Thank you--But, just like with Patricia, don't forget to have one of your fabulous baked goods for your birthday! I like seeing pictures of them.
Julie,
I'm glad to see that people liked this dish--I wasn't sure how people would respond. It's like cilantro--these sprouts turn a lot of people off!
Alisha,
Sunset has suddenly improved their recipes, judging by the last issue. I haven't been crazy about their recipes in the past.
Deborah,
Good!!! I'm so happy that there are so many brussels sprout lovers out there!
Becky,
I so agree with you--they have to be cooked properly or they taste pretty awful! As you know, they grow lot of them near San Francisco, because they love the fog! Thanks for dropping by. You have such a cool name for your blog!
Kevin,
Yes--it's interesting! :):)
Tanna,
Well, I thought it was a bit rigid not to want anything more traditional. But, he REALLY loves the little sprouts. He will eat them first, no mater what you serve.
Lannae,
Garlic stir fried sprouts are wonderful--that's actually my own favorite way to make them. They taste the best that way.
Christine,
Thank you! Hey, I wonder if you can grow them where you live? It's too hot here in the summer for them to do well.
Gattina,
They are really cute, aren't they? And they have become rather trendy with serious cooks, I think.
Anne,
Oh, I think the veggie sausage would work just fine! Let me know if you do. There are all kinds of things you could do. Maybe seitan......?
HotMBC,
You know what? They make great play toys for the cats. Upsie loves to bat them around on the floor. :):)
Mandira,
Well, I HAD to put a candle on top, don't you think? :):) There had to be something traditional!
Posted by: sher | January 17, 2008 at 12:35 PM
I never would have thought about puttng them in soup! Mon mari feels he same way about them and always tosses a huge sackful into the trolley when I'm not looking. I like them, too...just not quite so much!
Posted by: katie | January 18, 2008 at 01:05 PM
Well, we have two of the same husbands. Mine wants the sprouts just steamed with a glug of olive oil in the bowl when serviing with salt and pepper. He is a happy camper. I personally always need more, like a mustard sauce or a bit of bacon, etc. He always tells me, they are best by themselves ????
Posted by: Deb | January 18, 2008 at 03:46 PM
Hi Sher,
In the last few months, you may remember receiving an email invitation to become a part of the Foodbuzz Featured Publisher Program. With all the recipe-writing and food photography to be completed, we know emails can easily get lost in the shuffle, so Foodbuzz would like to re-extend our offer of inviting you to be a part of our food blogger network. I would love to send you more details about the program, so if you are interested, please email me at [email protected].
And I just want to say that I absolutely love what you did with the birthday candle. Brilliant, really. Just because someone can't eat cake doesn't mean they should be deprived of the opportunity to blow something out. =)
Cheers!
Shannon Eliot
Editorial Assistant, Foodbuzz.com
[email protected]
Posted by: Shannon | January 21, 2008 at 09:30 AM
That would be the antithesis of Dave's idea of a happy birthday, but I'm glad it worked out for you! Heh, love it.
Posted by: shelley | January 27, 2008 at 12:09 PM
I have not eaten brussel sprouts since I was a child. Though I enjoy cooking, I have never cooked with them perhaps out of fear. I really enjoyed the simplicity and yet elegance of this dish. I roasted the sprouts and potatoes with their skin first. It added an extra rustic taste to this soup.
Posted by: Michelle | January 27, 2008 at 03:02 PM
thank you, I to am one of the fans of this little veg. I have made this soup for many years. I add onion to the pot when browning the sausage. Gives another flavor..
Again thank you.
Posted by: MJDille | February 09, 2012 at 01:29 PM
When I was a kid, I hated eating vebeatgles. One night brussel sprouts were the vegetable of the evening. I hid my four in a coffee can on the windowsill that held an avocado pit studded with toothpicks that my Mom was hoping would turn into a plant You know like all Moms did in the 60s Unfortunately, my secret was revealed about a week later when a very unpleasant odor was emanating from that coffee can I was found guilty Forty years later, I friggin LOVE brussel sprouts! Who knew they could actually be tasty! Thanks, my child!
Posted by: Sunny | July 03, 2012 at 08:10 AM
Had the same question when a neighbor gave us a stalk. This recipe is fabulous!
Posted by: Mary Vincent | October 06, 2012 at 11:07 AM
Wow,
I have never seen Brussel Sprouts in a soup. I too love this unpopular little veggie. My Step-Father told us they were turtle heads when we were kids, needless to say they resemble what you would think a turtle head looked like. With that description, It's a miracle I ever ate them. To this day my children & I, still call them turtle heads.
I do think I'll add to it, garlic, onion, carrots, potatoes. However, still making the brussel sprout the star.
You say do not overcook, So If I cooked this in a slow cooker, which I do all soups, for flavor. I assume you would recommend adding brussel sprouts at the end of the cooking time, which I do with potatoes so they don't end up mushy. Also, I'd love to try them garlic stir fry as mentioned, Recipe Please??
Posted by: Jodi Mueller Casoalri | November 22, 2012 at 09:18 AM