I’ve recently had a big shift in something I believed was completely immovable; a set idea of myself that has been with me since I was very young. 

It has proven to me that even fixed beliefs can shift given the right circumstances and an open mind over time.

Some people will doubt what I am about to share is true and others will laugh out loud (you!?) at the absurdity of it but, it is true and I agree a little absurd.

Many of you know we grow lots of our own vegetables and although I do help, my partner does most of the planning and hard graft required to ensure a successful harvest. Last year was no different and actually being at home more, meant the seedlings and plants had more attention; we had a very generous harvest. 

Each year we try at least 1 new variety and in 2020 it was to be the purple bijou cabbage. I was not a supporter of this experiment and yet it happened anyway and the plants did grow very well.

Why was I not a supporter? I DO NOT EAT BRUSSELS! That’s right, my partner thought he’d trick me by calling them bijou cabbages but I knew the truth and I was not happy. 

I have hated them since I was small and family members think it is hilarious to buy me gifts that in some way remind me of this.

It is said that the bijou cabbages are better for being left on the stalk until after a heavy frost and in February, we certainly had that. Last weekend, Mike took the baby cabbages from the stalk so he could get the ground ready for the coming season and brought them in. 2 large containers full. I felt a bit queasy…what are we going to do with all of those?!?!

Well, I decided to make it my mission to find recipes that would turn the sprouts into a culinary delight and overcome my fear/hatred. 

Guess what? The last 2 evenings I have eaten brussel sprouts and they were… OK. The fact that they were cooked with lashings of cream, garlic, cheese, hazelnuts and onion meant I could hardly tell they were even on the plate. A success!

So, change is always possible…even if it’s only a small shift, who knows, this may have opened up a whole new world of tastes for me!?