Balsamic-Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Crushed Pine Nuts and Parmesan

I am always amazed when I find out someone is not a Brussels sprouts fan. I mean really, I just don't get it. These tiny little cabbages are not only visually fun but they can be so amazingly good. If done right, they have an earthy, bright and just slightly bitter flavor to them that reminds me of some of my favorite beers.

So I try to be open-minded about it, but I am not. I will often invite said naysayer over for dinner...hopefully to change their mind. More often then not, I do! And this isn't some egotistical nod to my ability to cook. Honestly, I think that Brussels sprouts are just an easy vegetable to cook incorrectly. With very little effort you can make them overly bitter or ruin the texture completely.

This recipe is one of my favorites as it easy to make and is very tasty. Use it to convert your friends. You can even toss these skewers on the grill if you want to. They are perfect as a side dish but I myself have enjoyed them as the main course many times. I hope you will too!

This recipe originally appeared on KQED's Bay Area Bites.