Marinated Brussels Sprouts with a Dark Chocolate Cayenne Sauce

By Mariya • October 26, 2009 • 5 Comments

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Author Notes: This is not your typical brussels sprouts recipe, however, the intricate combination of the cayenne-chocolate flavors will make even the biggest brussels sprouts critic fall in love with this veg! My fascination with making unusual flavors work together inspired this recipe. - Mariya

Serves 2

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1.5 cups brussels sprouts-quartered, with ends trimmed
2 ounces olive oil
1 tablespoon shallot-minced
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1.5 cups chicken stock
2 teaspoons dark chocolate-chopped
salt to taste
pepper to taste

Combine balsamic vinegar with olive oil and add brussels sprouts; marinate for 10 minutes.
Add olive oil to a hot sauté pan and sweat shallots.
Add marinated brussels sprouts to pan and sauté on high heat for ~3 min.
Add cayenne and chicken stock-to the half-way point of the brussels sprouts.
As soon as the liquid comes to a boil, turn the heat down, and simmer (covered) until brussels sprouts are just tender (approximately 15 min); remove brussels sprouts.
Add the rest of the chicken stock to the pan and reduce the liquid by half; season.
Take the pan off the heat and add chocolate, until melted.
Serve the pan sauce over brussels sprouts.