Apparently, a lot of people… but they are a great vegetable, and worked really well in the recipe below.

Ingredients for two servings:

8 brussels sprouts, washed, bottoms removed and cut in half

1 head of broccoli, cut into small pieces

1 cup of sliced mushrooms

1 tsp chopped garlic

1 tsp dried basil

1 tbs balsamic vinegar

1 tbs olive oil

1 cup dry pasta (I used rotini)

How:

Cook pasta as directed

Heat oil in a deep saucepan. Add mushrooms, garlic, and balsamic vinegar, and sauté. Add brussels sprouts and broccoli, and the basil, continue to sauté under medium heat.

Drain pasta, add to vegetables, and stir to mix. Let stand, covered, on very low heat for a couple of minutes.

Serve — and if you want, add a sprinkle of rice parmesan cheese (or the real stuff). Enjoy!

I was feeling particularly inspired last night, so I also made this unbearably easy appetizer:

Ingredients (for two):

1/4 avocado, diced

4 large black olives, pitted and sliced

4 stalks of hearts of palm, sliced

2 small tomatoes, sliced

2 tsp tamari sauce

How:

I divided the above ingredients into two small dishes, tossed, and then added the tamari sauce.