Imagine the scene – it’s the holiday season, and the dining table is adorned with all the traditional Christmas delights. Roast turkey, tangy cranberry sauce, and, of course, the infamous Brussels sprouts. Whether you love them or detest them, one woman has passionately declared her undying affection for these miniature green orbs, and it’s not just a seasonal infatuation for her.

Cassie, a self-professed Brussels sprouts “enthusiast”, took to TikTok to profess her profound adoration for the vegetable. In a captivating video of her “girl dinner”, she proudly displayed her unique plate of food – a fusion of sushi, grapes, and a lavish portion of the contentious sprouts. Accompanying her post with the caption “I’m addicted to Brussels sprouts, I eat them multiple times every day”, it’s evident that for Cassie, these sprouts hold a special place in her heart throughout the year, not just at Christmas.

Whilst many individuals may recoil at the prospect of consuming Brussels sprouts on a regular basis, Cassie’s ardour for them is unmistakable. And she’s not the only one smitten with these divisive vegetables. Even culinary royalty Mary Berry has shared her masterful concoction to convert sprout cynics into sprout enthusiasts. According to Berry, the secret to making Brussels sprouts irresistible lies in the inclusion of copious amounts of butter. She advises sautéing them with butter to infuse them with a velvety, rich flavour that tempers their inherent bitterness.

However, if you truly desire to elevate your Brussels sprouts to new heights, Berry suggests incorporating pancetta or bacon, as well as succulent chestnuts, for a dish that will leave your guests clamouring for more. Berry’s recipe, which features on Mary Berry’s Absolute Christmas Favourites and is available on the BBC website, necessitates 900g of sprouts, 50g of butter, and a generous sprinkling of salt and pepper. For the deluxe version, you will also require 200g of pancetta or bacon, 225g of defrosted and halved frozen chestnuts, and an onion.

So, the next time you find yourself seated at a Christmas banquet and those pint-sized green veggies make their entrance on the table, cast your mind back to Cassie and her unyielding affection for Brussels sprouts. Perhaps it’s time to give these controversial vegetables another opportunity to win you over. Who knows, you might just find yourself becoming a “sprout addict” too.