Radical Recipes/ Crispy Brussel Leaves with Truffle (and a song to cook by)

I am really tickled that this blog has been getting so many hits! Whoever you are, reading this right now, I think about you all the time. I don't have to know you- but the fact that you are here, now, reading this- it means a lot to me to be able to write this- for you. I don't write this blog for me.

So last weekend, I went to one of my favorite little eating spots, La Poubelle. I love that the name means 'trash can' in French; I love anything irreverent and cheeky. Inside, you can barely see what's going on- its primarily lit by candles and dim Edison bulbs. The music they play is really good, and instead of the usual sports on the TV behind the bar, there is usually an old black and white movie. Its all about the atmosphere, and that suits me just fine.

La Poubelle Bistro in Los Angeles

There is a dish there that I really like, which surprised the hell out of me. Crispy brussel leaves. Sounds weird, right? But it is sooo good. And in my new lifestyle of eating in ways that will not support evil food corporations, it seemed to me that learning to make this dish would be a yummy alternative to some of the other things I am trying to eliminate, like Kraft mac and Cheese, for example. Or any brand with GMOs, or an affiliation with Monsanto. Or steak. (I don't know that I am going vegetarian, but I can see how limiting my meat intake, which used to be DAILY, has its merit in taking this stand.)

I made them today, and they were AMAZING! And easy. I won't ever share a radical recipe on here that is time consuming and tedious- I just don't have the kind of life where I can commit to hours in the kitchen.  But I want a lot from my short time in the kitchen- and I bet you feel the same way.

Here is what you need-

1 lb brussel sprouts- fresh ones, not frozen, preferably organic!!
1 cup extra virgin olive oil (click the link for a study by UC Davis on fraudulent extra virgin olive oil, as well as non GMO brands)
salt, or truffle salt, if you like truffle

there are two tricks to make this work- very hot oil, and peeling the leaves off the brussel sprouts. I found that if you cut the stalk-y end of the brussel sprout, you can peel the first few layers off easily, then you have to cut a little more off again to loosen the leaves from the center of the stalk. This is the most time consuming part of this culinary adventure. I suggest putting on some good music so your mind won't spin out and make you start thinking about other things you need to do- it happens a lot, and that takes one out of the experience. Just be with the task, don't rush. Here is a good song for peeling leaves by-

When you are half way through, put oil in a pan- you can use a frying pan- a wok is better- but what I learned today is that when you put those things in super hot oil, it spatters like a mofo.  Once you sense that the oil is good and hot, get a lid or a cooking screen ready to throw over it after you toss the leaves in the oil. I had a glass lid, so I could see what was going on underneath. I sort of held the lid over the skillet and tossed the leaves around in the oil, moving them so they didn't burn. You want them to get crispy and a little brown around the edges, though.  Maybe 3 minutes, depending on your stove top.

Once they are done, spoon them out with a draining spoon, allowing the oil to drip off for a few seconds, and onto a plate. Sprinkle them liberally with salt or truffle salt. I promise you, even if you think you can't stand brussel sprouts (I did) this is surprisingly delicious.

I am no cook, so I can't tell you how many people a pound will feed. If you are like me, then I would say make it once for yourself to see if you like it and gauge your own measurements for future reference.

I hope you like it! You certainly don't get the ambience of La Poubelle, but its way cheaper than $15 for a small dish of it. I will be eating a lot of this as I continue to replace my processed, super convenient food preferences with healthy alternatives. I get excited about this stuff, as this is the little tiny revolution that is a game changer for me and for my family- we are taking a stand not to support the major food corporations that seek to dominate the world food supply, while killing our bees, making us fat and threatening our overall health with GMOs. Screw that. There is yummy food in the world that isn't in a box or a bag or shrink wrapped or in a can. Believe it! OCCUPY YOURSELF!!!

Me and my sprouts, and me with a mouthful of sprouts, because I am a cheeky brat.