The Christmas cheer is palpable at one Scots roadside cafe after it announced it will bring back its famous deep-fried Brussels sprouts in time for Christmas.
The Real Food Cafe, in Tyndrum, Perthshire, has re-introduced the snack to its menu by popular demand.
The addition of the dish to last year’s Christmas menu became such a runaway success, resulting in a whirlwind of TV, radio and newspaper coverage of the restaurant’s unconventional twist on a classic that they have opted to bring it back for another year.
The Real Food Cafe’s reimagination of the divisive staple of a traditional Christmas dinner has transformed it from a soggy side to crispy, golden delights.
The news comes hot on the heels of the announcement that Stirling has become the Brussels sprouts capital of Scotland. New search engine research by experts at Together Travel has revealed a seven-per cent rise in searches for Brussels sprouts in the area over the past year, outranking everywhere else in the country.
The Real Good Cafe owner, Sarah Heward, said: “I think sprouts get a bit of a hard time.
“People have memories of soggy sprouts from their childhood, but I believe the humble sprout has come a long way in recent years, with top chefs creating ‘must try at home’ sprout recipes, so I decided to give my spin on the sprout again this year.
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“We couldn’t believe the media interest last year; again, showing that there’s a real appetite for restaurants doing new, innovative things with food and putting a bit of a twist on tradition.
“The secret of our sprout success? It’s all in the blanching. We do it for just the right amount of time to ensure the sprouts remain crunchy before we coat them in a light batter and fry them in clean, hot oil.
“It’s becoming a modern festive tradition here at The Real Food Cafe and judging by the demand from our customers, one that’s probably here to stay.”
She added “Christmas is all about fun, creating memories and enjoying delicious and unforgettable flavours which you might not taste during the rest of the year, so I’m delighted that the sprouts are going down a storm again and adding to the festive cheer.”
Customers can get tuck into the tasty treats right through December and January, and for anyone tempted to try their hand at this crispy, festive treat at home, The Real Food Café has generously shared their exclusive recipe on their website.