Sprout Gratin with a Parsley and Walnut Crumb
A creamy gratin taking sprouts to another level
Ingredients
- 160g g smoked lardons
- 1 large echalion shallot finely sliced
- 2 large cloves garlic crushed
- 15 g anchovies in oil finely chopped
- 500 g Brussel sprouts finely shredded
- 300 ml double cream
- 60 g mature cheddar grated
- 2 tbsp. thyme leaves chopped
- 1 tsp. ground black pepper
- Nutmeg good grating
- Crumb
- Butter big knob
- 100 g fresh breadcrumbs
- Big handful parsley chopped
- Big handful walnut pieces crumbled
- 1 lemon zested
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Trim any woody bases from the sprouts then shred finely. You can do this by hand, using a handheld mandolin or use the shredding attachment on a food processor.
- Take a large frying pan or saucepan and place over a medium-high heat. Add the lardons into the pan while it's still cold, then let these render and fry for 7 mins until crisp. Reduce the temperature a little, add the shallot and soften for 5 mins without colouring, stirring occasionally.
- Add the garlic, the chopped anchovy fillets and cook for 2 minutes until the anchovies start to 'melt'. Add the sprouts and cook for 2-3 mins, stirring occasionally, just until the sprouts change to a vivid and glossy green.
- Add the cream, 100ml water, the cheese plus the thyme, black pepper and nutmeg. Allow the liquid to bubble up and warm through for 1-2 mins maximum (you don't want to overcook the sprouts). Remove from the heat and decant into a gratin dish or low-sided casserole (around 2 litres).
- Make the crumb by melting the butter in a frying pan, add the breadcrumbs and coat. Fry gently until just starting to turn golden. Remove from the heat and add the parsley, walnut pieces, lemon zest and seasoning. Spread evenly over the sprout mixture.
- Heat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas mark 6 then bake for 20-25 mins or so, until the crumble layer is browning and the cream is bubbling through. Take out of the oven, allow to rest for five minutes and serve.
Notes
TOP TIPS
This makes a great side dish to accompany the Christmas ham, turkey leftovers, roast meats or sausages.
Step 3 can be completed up to 2 days in advance, cooled, covered and chilled. Or it can be frozen. Thaw thoroughly before cooking. Step 4 can be made up to 3 days in advance and can also be frozen. To get ahead for Christmas it's useful to make a batch of the crumb and freeze it in a bag.