Lemon Honey Glazed Brussels Sprouts - A Beautiful Metamorphosis

Brussels sprouts have a ridiculously bad reputation.  Children seem to be conditioned at an early age to contort their face into an expression of disgust at the mere mention of the name of these delicious balls of flavor.  The bad attitude trickles into adulthood for those unwilling to give these babies a fair shot.  Well, even those who believe that the B-sprout in its relatively natural, unsophisticated state is unyummy will fall in love with the infamous vegetable - packed with an outstanding array of nutrients - when transformed into a sweet and tangy dish.  Coincidentally (or not, as the case may be) a similar metamorphosis occurs in this week's parsha.

From Rowdy to Royalty
(This drash is based on the teaching of Rabbi Yosef Jacobson)

Parshat Vayechi tells the final chapter in the now legendary life of our patriarch Ya'akov.  Before passing, he bestows a distinct blessing upon each of his sons.  The blessing of royalty is given to Judah:

Judah, [as for] you, your brothers will acknowledge you. Your hand will be at the nape of your enemies, [and] your father's sons will prostrate themselves to you.  A cub [and] a grown lion is Judah. From the prey, my son, you withdrew. He crouched, rested like a lion, and like a lion, who will rouse him?  The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the student of the law from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and to him will be a gathering of peoples. - Bereshit 49:8-10

Sounds lovely, no? Yet, if we sift back through Judah's past we see some pretty distasteful decision making, hardly warranting such a royal blessing. Two specific, troubling incidents recorded in the Torah include:

1. Judah is one of the brothers who lashes out in jealousy towards Joseph, initially throwing him into a pit to die.
2. When Judah first learns that his twice widowed daughter-in-law Tamar has become pregnant out of marriage he orders her put to death by burning.

In both incidents Judah’s displays his beastly temperament, quick to call for the death of another human being. 

At the same time, Judah also ascends from his raucous state to one of greater maturity. Rashi’s interpretation of Ya’akov’s depiction of Judah as a cub who withdraws from his prey points to two particular points of redemption. First, it is Judah who appeals to the brothers: “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover his blood? Let's sell him to the Arabs and not harm him with our own hands. After all--he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.'" Second, Judah quickly retracts Tamar’s death sentence when she discreetly reveals that he, in fact, is the unborn baby’s father. In addition to Rashi’s points, we also learn that it is Judah who offers himself as a hostage in place of his younger, and more beloved, brother Benjamin when the brother’s encounter Joseph in Egypt.

While Judah’s early actions are most certainly rowdy and distasteful, in each incident he goes through a metamorphosis to ascend to a more rational, celebrated state of leadership.

Metamorphosis of the Brussels Sprout 

…and so it goes with this version of Brussels sprouts.  While the old school preparation of this dish calls for them to be boiled to a state of distasteful mush, the sprout can also go through a metamorphosis to become king of the vegetable world!

This recipe is my version of one I encountered while out to dinner in New York.  My parents were recently visiting me from our home in Los Angeles and at the end of a long day we were walking through the meat-packing district, famished and in search of dinner.  We stumbled, quite unknowingly, into Spice Market – an outstanding and apparently well-known restaurant.  True to its name, each dish embodied a distinct flavor profile as the master chefs in the kitchen blended high quality proteins and vegetables with a unique combination of spices and herbs.  Dishes are served a la carte, giving customers the opportunity to select their own sides.
 
The three of us are all relatively new fans of the Brussels sprout and were quite enticed by the dish described on the menu - Crispy Brussels Sprouts Lemongrass, Honey and Mint.  The crisp sprouts were served glistening in in a thick, syrupy glaze that was both sweet and tangy.  The lemongrass certainly worked its magic, softened a bit by the sweet honey and delicious natural oils derived from the mint leaves.  What follows is my version – enjoy!

Honey Lemon Glazed Brussels Sprouts Serves: 4 - 6 Ingredients 12 oz. Brussels sprouts, washed and halved Sea salt & freshly ground pepper 3 Tbsp. finely chopped basil, divided 3 Tbsp. finely chopped mint, divided 1 lemon, zested and juiced 10-inch stalk lemon grass, cut into 4 pieces ¼ c. chicken stock 4 Tbsp. honey, divided Olive oil spray Instructions: Preheat oven to 450° F. Place Brussels sprouts on baking sheet, lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper and spray with olive oil.  Roast for 40 minutes, careful not to burn them.  In the meantime, combine the chicken stock, 3 Tbsp. honey, lemon grass, 1 ½ Tbsp. chopped basil, 1 ½ Tbsp. chopped mint, lemon zest and lemon juice in a sauce pan.  Add a pinch of salt and freshly ground pepper.  Bring to a quick boil and reduce to simmer.  Let simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, so that the sauce reduces and thickens slightly.  Remove Brussels sprouts from oven and sprinkle with remainder of chopped herbs and drizzle with final Tbsp. of honey.  Return to oven for 12 minutes. Remove sprouts from oven, place in serving bowl and toss a few tablespoons of sauce to coat (be sure to discard lemon grass first).  Save extra sauce for future use.