Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Lemon French dressing

I’m personally a brussels sprouts fiend, however even for those who’re a type of who thinks they “don’t like brussels sprouts,” this could possibly be the dish that converts you. The sprouts are served uncooked and thinly shaved—they don’t even resemble the boiled, barely mushy veg that initially gave sprouts a foul rap. This salad is crunchy, nutty, and simply candy sufficient with a touch of zestiness from the lemon French dressing—the right option to steadiness out these wealthy, hearty dishes all of us love this time of 12 months. If you happen to’re trying to shake issues up in your Thanksgiving menu or want a lightweight, refreshing facet for vacation gatherings, this shaved Brussels sprout salad goes to be your new go-to.

Why This Salad Deserves a Spot on Your Vacation Desk

There’s one thing so satisfying concerning the texture of shaved Brussels sprouts, particularly once they’re massaged with a bit olive oil and tossed with toasted almonds, candy dates, and tangy Parmesan. The result’s a salad that’s as subtle as it’s crave-worthy. Plus it’s tremendous easy to make and could be prepped forward, which makes it a complete lifesaver in the course of the vacation hustle.

Find out how to Make It

1. Toast the almonds – Preheat the oven to 350°F. Unfold almonds on a big baking sheet and toast simply till they begin to flip golden (about 5 minutes, however keep watch over them as a result of they will burn quick). Take away from the oven and allow them to cool.
2. Therapeutic massage the Brussels sprouts – In a big serving bowl, add the shaved Brussels sprouts, drizzle with a bit extra-virgin olive oil, and add a pinch of kosher salt. Use your arms to therapeutic massage the oil and salt into the sprouts for a couple of minute. This helps soften the sprouts and brings out their pure sweetness.
3. Assemble the salad – Add the almonds, chopped dates, and grated Parmesan to the bowl. Drizzle with lemon French dressing, season with salt and pepper, and toss properly till every little thing is calmly coated. Add extra dressing for those who prefer it additional zingy!
4. Let it sit – For the perfect taste and texture, let the salad sit at room temperature for about quarter-hour, or pop it within the fridge for an hour (and even in a single day) to let the flavors meld collectively. This additionally makes it good for make-ahead prep!

Ideas for Success

• Massaging the Brussels Sprouts – Don’t skip this step! Massaging the sprouts with a little bit of olive oil and salt helps to interrupt down the fibrous texture, making them tender with out dropping their crunch. It additionally boosts their taste, to allow them to maintain their very own even subsequent to the bolder vacation dishes.
• Get the Good Toast on the Almonds – Toasting the almonds provides heat and an additional layer of taste to the salad. Preserve a detailed eye on them within the oven—5 minutes is normally all it takes, however each oven is totally different, they usually can go from golden to burnt in seconds.
• Chop the Dates Finely – The dates add a beautiful sweetness to steadiness the Brussels sprouts and almonds, however you don’t need massive chunks. Be certain that to cut them into small, even items, so that they’re evenly distributed all through the salad.
• Use Freshly Grated Parmesan – Freshly grated Parmesan melts barely into the salad, giving it a creamy, nutty end that enhances the intense lemon French dressing. Pre-shredded simply doesn’t give the identical creamy impact!
• Don’t Skimp on the French dressing – The lemon French dressing is vital to pulling all these flavors collectively. Its tanginess cuts by way of the richness of the Parmesan and the sweetness of the dates, giving the salad a superbly balanced chunk.

Make It Forward and Save Time

Among the finest issues about this salad is that it solely will get higher with time. You’ll be able to prep it the night time earlier than, letting the elements meld collectively within the fridge. On Thanksgiving Day, simply give it a fast toss and add a bit extra French dressing if wanted earlier than serving.

This shaved Brussels sprout salad is a vacation miracle in a bowl: festive, simple, and make-ahead pleasant. If you happen to make it this season, you should definitely charge, evaluation, and tag me on Instagram so I can see!

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