Kung Pao Brussels SproutsServings: 4Prep Time: 15 minsCook Time: 30 minsTotal Time: 45 minutesSTUFFS

Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 minutes

STUFF
Sprouts:
2 pounds Brussels sprouts
2 tablespoons olive oil

Kung Pao sauce:
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium tamari* or soy sauce
2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
½ to 2 teaspoons sriracha, to taste
2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced

Garnishes:
⅓ cup roasted peanuts (either salted or unsalted)
⅓ cup chopped green onion (both green and white parts), about 3 green onions
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves, chopped (optional)
Red pepper flakes (optional)

STEPS
To prepare the Brussels sprouts: Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Trim the nubby ends and any discolored leaves off the Brussels sprouts, then cut the sprouts in half lengthwise.

Transfer the sprouts to a large, rimmed baking sheet (I covered mine in parchment paper first for easy cleanup), then toss them with about 2 tablespoons olive oil, until they are coated with a light, even layer of oil. Arrange the sprouts in an even layer, flat sides down, and roast for 25 to 30 minutes, tossing halfway, until they are tender and deeply caramelized on the edges.

Meanwhile, to prepare the sauce: In your smallest saucepan, add the tamari or soy sauce, honey or maple syrup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ½ teaspoon sriracha and garlic. Whisk until combined, then taste and add more sriracha if you’d like (mine was just right with 1 ½ teaspoons sriracha, but I love spicy food).

Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring often, until the sauce has thickened, about 5 minutes. It’s done when, if you take it off heat long enough for it to stop bubbling and carefully tilt the pan back and forth, the sauce will slide down the pan rather than slosh.

Transfer the roasted sprouts to a medium serving bowl. Pour the sauce over the sprouts and toss to coat. Add the peanuts, green onion and optional cilantro and toss again. Serve immediately, with red pepper flakes sprinkled on top if you’d like a little extra heat (and color).

NOTES
MAKE IT GLUTEN FREE: This dish is gluten free as long as you use gluten-free tamari, which is a variety of soy sauce that is usually (but not always, check the label) gluten free. I always use tamari instead of soy sauce because I prefer the flavor of it! Look for tamari next to the soy sauce in the Asian aisle of the grocery store.
MAKE IT VEGAN: Simply swap maple syrup for the honey instead when making the sesame glaze.
MAKE IT PEANUT-FREE: Just omit the peanuts. You might like a sprinkle of sesame seeds instead.
CHANGE IT UP: Broccoli would be a fantastic substitute for the sprouts, and probably cheaper, too!

NUTRITION
Calories 233
Total Fat 11.1g
Saturated Fat1.6g
Trans Fat0g
Polyunsaturated Fat2.3g
Monounsaturated Fat6.6g
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 430.8mg
Total Carbohydrate 30.4g
Dietary Fiber8.8g
Sugars14g
Protein 9.2g