Brussels Sprouts with Garlic — When the Season Turns and the Table Still Needs Setting

Mid-May. Sofia's state meet is Saturday. Diego is in finals at CSU. The household is in the strange terminal phase of the spring — finals, exams, the end of activities, the build-up to summer.

I made green chile chicken Saturday. The family ate. Lisa was on a day shift. The twins were at a soccer tournament. Sofia was preparing. The road bends. Feed your people. The game is won at the table.

The green chile chicken was the main event that Saturday, but nothing on that plate lands the way it should without something honest alongside it — something that doesn’t ask too much of you when your head is already elsewhere. Brussels sprouts with garlic have become that dish for me: a little caramelized heat, a little bite, and it comes together fast enough that I’m not standing at the stove when I should be watching Sofia run through her routine one last time. Feed your people well, even at the edges of the meal.

Brussels Sprouts with Garlic

Prep Time: 10 min | Cook Time: 20 min | Total Time: 30 min | Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
• 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

1. Preheat oven. Heat oven to 425°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment.
2. Prep the sprouts. Trim the stem ends from the Brussels sprouts and halve them lengthwise. Pat dry with a paper towel — moisture is the enemy of a good sear.
3. Season and arrange. Toss the halved sprouts and sliced garlic with olive oil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Spread in a single layer, cut-side down, on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Roast. Roast for 18–22 minutes, until the cut sides are deep golden brown and the outer leaves are crispy. Do not stir until the last 5 minutes.
5. Finish and serve. Remove from oven, drizzle with lemon juice, and taste for seasoning. Serve immediately.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 145 | Protein: 5g | Fat: 11g | Carbs: 11g | Fiber: 4g | Sodium: 290mg