Crispy roasted Brussels sprouts and toasted wheat salad

Photo: Simon Lambert
Photo: Simon Lambert
This is such a tasty salad packed with fantastic textures and flavours. Salads are still a thing for me in winter. I just mix and match the seasonal ingredients and add a punchy dressing to bring it all together. The results are fantastic.

Serves 4-6

Prep time 30 min

Cooking time 20 min

Skill easy

Ingredients

100g bulgur wheat

500g Brussels sprouts, cut in half

2 Tbsp oil

1 tsp salt flakes, plus extra

Freshly cracked pepper

1 tsp sumac

50g pine nuts, sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds, toasted

Dressing

1 shallot, finely sliced

1 Tbsp pomegranate molasses

2 tsp orange juice

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Pinch salt

Method

Preheat the oven 200°C (180°C fan-forced)

Place a fry pan over moderate heat and add the bulgur wheat. Toast the wheat until a deep brown and nutty aroma is given off. Remove immediately from the heat and add to a bowl.

Add a pinch of salt and pour over ⅔ cup hot water, cover and let sit for at least 20 minutes for the wheat to soften and fluff up.

Meanwhile, toss the Brussels sprouts in the oil, season with salt and cracked pepper and sprinkle over the sumac. Spread over a baking dish and roast for 10 minutes or until crisp and dark brown (not burnt). Remove and set aside.

To make the dressing, add the sliced shallot to a small bowl. Pour over the pomegranate molasses, orange juice, oil and salt and stir to combine. Let sit for 10 minutes to slightly pickle the shallot.

To assemble the salad. Fluff up the bulgur wheat with a fork, add the warm, crispy Brussels sprouts, toasted pine nuts/seeds and finish with the shallot dressing. Toss lightly to combine well.

Place on to a platter and enjoy.