Apparently there’s a Brussels gene.
I got the version that is addicted to them.
For the New Years Eve pairing dinner I co-hosted, I made Brussels and Prosciutto Skewers. People loved them… except I was told by one person that there is a gene (like the cilantro gene) where some people think they taste bitter.
Apparently about 50% of the world has this gene. If you’re not one of those unfortunate people, you’ll love this recipe. (Recipe at the bottom of post.)
The crispy, slightly sweet Brussels are fabulous against the salty prosciutto. If you don’t eat meat you could use a vegan bacon.
The best part is that these are insanely easy to make, but will impress everyone with its look and taste. There were multiple choruses of “how cute!!!” Who doesn’t love food on a stick?!
The rest of the New Years Eve meal was wonderful as well. We ate in courses. Munchies were first and included these skewers, Black-Eyed Pea & Roasted Garlic Hummus with veggies, and a baked brie layered with a mix of roasted garlic, paprika, and sun-dried tomatoes.
Then we enjoyed a salad course where I served my Roasted Grape & Kabocha Kale Salad. The main was co-host Karen’s creation – Sriracha pulled pork sliders with slaw and an aioli, both made with Sriracha. Karen received the Sriracha cookbook for Christmas. I want a copy!
Dessert was this (vegan) Caramel Apple Blackout Cake. As advertised, it wasn’t a pretty cake. What it lacked in looks, it made up for in taste. Surprisingly, it isn’t too sweet! It was the perfect end to a big meal.
There was also a lot of bubbly and the obligatory midnight toast.
And then I walked across the street to my place and passed out.
My girl Katie would agree it was pretty marvelous.
Brussels and Prosciutto Skewers
- Brussels sprouts, rinsed
- Drizzle extra-virgin olive oil
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Thinly sliced prosciutto
Preheat oven to 400.
Trim just the smallest edge of the ends of your sprouts – don’t trim much because you want them to hold together. Slice the Brussels sprouts in half, lengthwise.
Toss the sprouts on a parchment (or foil) lined baking sheet with the oil and pepper. Bake for 30 minutes total, tossing them half way through.
While they roast, chop up the prosciutto into small bits. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the prosciutto until crispy (~5 mins). Set aside.
Remove the sprouts from the oven and let them cool enough to touch. Slide on a sprout half, skewer it onto a toothpick, add a couple of slices of prosciutto, then end it with the other sprout half. Repeat until you have the desired amount of skewers.
Arrange on a platter and serve immediately.*
*Note: You can make these in advance and re-heat them under the broiler for a couple of minutes (until warmed through) before serving.
[Tweet “This Brussels and Prosciutto Skewers recipe is the perfect finger food for parties!”]
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After the glory of holiday indulgence, I celebrated this weekend by doing the biggest food prep I’ve done in a long time. Time to get back on track!
Do you like Brussels? Have you ever heard of the bitter Brussels gene?
What did you do New Years Eve?
Yum! I love brussels with some bacon!
Thanks for including the vegetarian suggestion! I’ve never heard of the Brussls sprouts gene, but I’m sure I don’t have it. I love them! Sounds like you had a great party. Happy New Yeat!
I was thinking it would be good with portobello jerky too!
I just made brussels sprouts too! I’m so glad I don’t have that gene!!
I think everything on a skewer tastes better! I only discovered it’s Brussels not Brussel sprouts the other day. And I called myself a fan… I’m sure I don’t have the gene though!
I was saying it wrong for years too! Brussels seems so odd to say.
This is the best way I’ve seen of making brussel sprouts. It’s a new favorite and I have never made them myself.
Thank you so much! Let me know if you try it!
If it’s on a toothpick, it’s free 😉 That’s a good rule of thumb to apply at Costco 😛
These’s look great! I’ve been wanting to make a ‘meal of appetizers’ lately, I like the idea instead of sharing a platter … I get it all to myself 😉 These, along with mini-quiche will be the basis of my platter meal.
Prosciutto is good with everything, especially more prosciutto 😀
Haha – Costo is a whole meal!
I love these!! They really look so cute!
I find that Brussels do taste bitter if I boil them, but not if I bake them. Maybe I’m weird. But so I prefer them baked. And I bet this combo is heaven!
I was at a party on the 30th which got a little out of hand (fun-wise), so I had to pass out at 11 on NYE. Yeah, getting older 🙂
I love brussels sprouts, but not the price tag. Worst. Dude, prosciutto is the ALMOST as good as bacon. My mum’s best friend is Italian and gives us a slab each Christmas. Instead of slicing it paper thin, I often just eat a chunk. It’s just too good!
Oh I definitely having the loving gene! Yum yum yum!
Ooh – I do love Brussels sprouts and have to agree with your merrymakers – this appetizer is too cute- and on a stick too!!! BS with caramelized onions was a highlight at our Christmas dinner, but think prosciutto would have been a better accompaniment.
Your brussels sound really good too! I think a combo of the 3 would be delish. 🙂
hmmm could I make B Sprouts and BEEF JERKY?? 🙂
Ohhhh… I think that would be good!
What a yummy combo! I’ll have to try that… I go through spurts with brussel sprouts and then get tired of them. Yes- ready to get back on track, too!!
I think I do that with everything. Except chocolate. 😉
i bet my niece would eat these that way. then you can dip in ketchup. Creative genius YOU
Ewwwww… don’t ruin it with ketchup! 😉
oh my those look amazing
I love brussel sprouts so I guess I don’t have that gene….thank goodness! Then adding meat makes it so much better!
Doesn’t it?! That saltiness takes it up a notch.
I do agree, cheers to that girl!!!
Brussel sprouts I have not had in forever! Love ya, have a great week!
that’s really funny about the brussels gene! i was asked to bring a green last night to my in-laws for dinner and my friend was there who doesn’t like brussels at all! maybe she has the gene?!
Ask her if they taste bitter! I can’t believe I’d never heard of this before.
I have NOT heard of that gene, interesting! Brussels sprouts do taste a bit bitter to me, but I like them anyway. So, what did I do for new year’s eve — ate Cioppino and had a side of Brussels Sprouts (seriously)!
Man… next year I want to have NYE with you! 🙂
I’ve never heard of the brussels sprouts gene…I’m somewhere in the middle with them though. I like them and I’ll eat them, I’m just picky on preparation. This looks like a good way to go about it though 😉
I’m picky about it too – I can’t stand soggy Brussles!
Oh these sound good! I really like these little baby cabbages, I’m glad I don’t have that gene.
You are rocking my world with this news!!! They are one of my all time favorites, and I’ve never understood why people don’t like them! Thank goodness I don’t have that gene! You know the asparagus pee is genetic, too, right? (Although not a single gene, supposedly … http://udel.edu/~mcdonald/mythasparagusurine.html). Nerd-time over!
I did know that! Crazy gene things…
mmm we love brussel sprouts, this sounds great!
You have so much fun! 🙂
I have never been a brussels sprouts fan even though I like cabbage – oh well… I am weird!
I made it to close to 10pm NYE – how is that for exciting! 😉
You only live once! 😉
I LOVE brussels and this sounds amazing!! I have to try this. YUM
You’d love it! Let me know if you do!
The Brussles gene! I can’t wait to read that article! No one in my family likes em except my brother and I. Weird! More for us, though ;).
I bet Brussles + prosciutto is such a great combo!
That’s so weird… neither parent likes them?!
I got the addicted gene too, I can’t wait to try these.
I only do brussel sprouts when accompanied by bacon… or prosciutto 😉
Prosciutto is just fancy bacon. 😉
Those look delicious! I’ve just recently discovered that I like brussels sprouts…maybe I have the gene? Thanks for sharing!
Thank you! I read once that taste buds change every 7 years…
Oh my gosh, what a wonderful combination! I really don’t know anyone in that 50%! Everyone I associate with loves brussels (aka baby cabbages) as much as I do! 😉 Will definitely have to try it for my next get together!
It’s hard to believe it’s as high as 50%, right?!
Yum! That IS an easy and delicious app! Why didn’t I think of that?
Thanks! I’m going to start putting everything on a skewer!
Vishnu would love these little bites! I made him some asparagus wrapped in prosciutto over Christmas vacay and he was in love with the stuff. 🙂
Glad you had a very happy new year with lots of good food and friends. That’s the way to do it!
Wait. Did you eat it???
I’ve never heard of the Brussels gene, but the Hubby doesn’t like them. Which means of course, I am now on a mission to convince him otherwise. It will happen.
I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who passed out that night…er I mean slept soundly.
Just cook them with butter and cheese. Everything tastes good with butter and cheese.
It might not be as entertaining, but I would still eat these without the prosciutto. I love me some Brussels!!
I was thinking… would it be good with smoked trout? Or cured salmon?
These look amazing! Maybe I could get le hubs to eat brussels this way 😉
I didn’t do ANYTHING exciting new years. Seriously I think I was passed out by 10:30 b/c I’m a party animal.
I don’t have the Brussels sprout gene, but def have the cilantro one. cant STAND that stuff!
I know so many people who have that!
I have never heard of the bitter brussels gene but I’m so glad I don’t have it!!!
I’m coming to your house next New Year’s! OK? 🙂
I definitely got the “obsessed with brussels sprouts gene.” My family did not. My dad literally (I am not making this up) spit out a bite of roasted veggies with brussels sprouts in them that I made him eat on Christmas. He then said, “Why would you do that to me.” Guess he got the bad gene!
That would be awesome – come o!!! I think we’d get along famously. 😉
Omg, these ARE super cute! Nothing like roasted brussels and salty bacon-y goodness! It’s been forever since I’ve had some proscuitto <- dear God, I can never spell that correctly! Is it right? HELL NO, I just Googled it! Whatevs! Your NYE looks about 3726548730 times better than mine was…at work…with the crazy people!
You should just come here for NYE. You can GOOGLE the address and I’ll have the proscuitto and brussels ready to go.
These still look good, girl! 🙂
Thank friend! I just bought a ton of brussels to do it again this weekend. 🙂
Brussels sprouts and prosciutto – what a great comb and so fun on the skewers! Might do this for Thanksgiving.
Thank you! I’ve love to hear what you think if you try it out!