Sprouts

[bugshaw]

I've just had lunch with JGD at R17 at The University Arms (Regent Street, Cambridge), and had the most delicious brussels sprouts I have ever had in my entire life :-) Dark green on the outside, pale in the middle, they were succulent, right through to the middle, without being overdone in any part, and with a subtle flavour. It was as if each leaf had been blanched to perfection in a delicate stock, then the sprout reassembled invisibly while retaining its temperature. Puddle it in a splash of smoky gravy, and it's done. But they only give you three.

I commented on this to the waiter, who seemed confused (and quite French): "But madame, usually people do not like ze sprouts!"

£12/2-course £15/3-course lunch special, and they ended up making me a tomato soup (not had that in ages, it's usually got cream in. Yum. As we used to say in the olden days instead of nom.) and fruit salad instead of the dairyful options on the menu.

Comments

[burkesworks.livejournal.com]

Ze Frenchman is usually right! "Delicious brussels sprouts" is one of those oxymoronic phrases like "compassionate conservatism", "intelligent design" or "Chris de Burgh's brilliant new album".

[pseudomonas.livejournal.com]

Surely design can be intelligent, it's just Intelligent Design that's stupid.

[ex-lark-asc.livejournal.com]

Oh, R17 are quite good aren't they? Not been there since I got the intolerances but I remember the food being good! Shall have to go back.

[frostfox.livejournal.com]

I love sprouts! I'm having them for tea with venison sausages and fresh cranberry sauce.
I like them shredded in salad or shredded and stir fried.
Cooked right, they are delish.

I don't know about Chris De Burgh's latest album, but Spanish Train, his second one, was lovely. But then that was 1975, and I was 12. I don't think he's improved with age. I liked his first four albums, but then I like troubadour singers like Al Stuart and storytellers like Mike Batt, Alan Parsons and Jim Steinman.

FF

[anef.livejournal.com]

Surely you ate JGD's sprouts!

[bugshaw.livejournal.com]

He offered. I did not say no.

[damerell.livejournal.com]

I must admit I, for one, would be less than eager to eat a Brussels sprout on the off chance it was delicious.

[surliminal.livejournal.com]

Ooh you've remined me of this stunning bloody mary soup I made once - tomatoes and vodka but no cream. Must try again some time..

I love fresh undercooked sprouts - can't imagine what people have agin them :)

[cuboid-ursinoid.livejournal.com]

Brussel Sprouts? Bleugh!

GIP

[pseudomonas.livejournal.com]

Mmmm, sprouts.

[uisgebeatha.livejournal.com]

Just as sprouts should be, it sounds.

I love sprouts. This might be because I was fooled as a child into thinking they were cute baby cabbages and not stinky vegetables of d00m...