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Maple Fish Sauce Brussels Sprouts

A delightful blend of roasted Brussels sprouts with fish sauce and maple syrup creates a savory and sweet side dish that's sure to impress at any gathering.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Fusion, International
Calories: 120
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Sprouts
  • 1 lb Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved Best when fresh and at room temperature before cooking.
  • 4 tsp fish sauce Look for high-quality fish sauce for the best flavor.
  • 1 Tbsp maple syrup Opt for pure maple syrup for a natural sweetness.
  • 1/4 tsp white or black pepper Freshly ground provides the best flavor.
  • as needed neutral flavored oil Needed for frying.
For the Fried Garlic
  • 1/4 tsp granulated garlic Optional substitute for fried garlic.

Method
 

For The Fried Garlic
  1. In a small pot or a round-bottomed wok set over medium-low heat, add the neutral oil and drop in one small piece of chopped garlic as a 'heat tester.'
  2. Once the tester garlic starts to bubble, add the remaining chopped garlic. Fry, stirring frequently, until the garlic turns a lovely golden color (not brown!), about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Strain the garlic using a fine mesh sieve and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil—save the garlic oil for frying the Brussels sprouts!
For The Brussels Sprouts
  1. In a large skillet, add enough of the reserved garlic oil to coat the bottom of the pan and heat over medium heat.
  2. Once the oil is hot, lay the Brussels sprouts cut-side down in the skillet. Let them cook undisturbed until browned on the bottom side, approximately 4 minutes.
  3. After 4 minutes, flip the sprouts over and cook for an additional minute. Transfer the cooked sprouts to a plate and repeat with any remaining sprouts if necessary.
  4. Add the first batch of Brussels sprouts back into the skillet. Toss them with fish sauce, maple syrup, and white pepper until all the pieces are evenly coated.
  5. Finish with the fried garlic on top for that added crunch and flavor. Serve immediately while they’re still warm.

Notes

Avoid overcrowding your skillet when cooking the sprouts, as this will steam rather than roast them. For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving.