Most Britons 'can't cook Brussels sprouts'

[dutchman]

A new poll has revealed that 70% of Britons cannot cook Brussels sprouts properly.

The YouGov survey of 2,000 people for ingredient delivery service HelloFresh.co.uk found that the vast majority were clueless when it came to preparing the famous Christmas dinner accompaniment.

It found that 40% over-boil sprouts, 11% undercook the veg and 19% have no idea how long they are supposed to cook the veg for.

Head chef at HelloFresh.co.uk Patrick Drake said: "Cooking sprouts can be a minefield as there are so many different recipes and ideas of how to best serve sprouts.

"We are pretty much in agreement about the time we boil them for though! It's easy to shy away from the responsibilities of Christmas dinner because it's one of the most memorable meals of the year.

"To make sure it's not memorable for all the wrong reasons you just need to relax and think of it as a set of recipes strung together with great ingredients and good timing."

Watch Patrick Drake show you how to cook the perfect Brussels sprouts below:

[dutchman]

Man hospitalised after eating too many Brussels sprouts



A man has been hospitalised after eating too many Brussels sprouts.

The controversial vegetables contain vitamin K, a chemical the body uses to promote blood clotting.

While it does this, it also counteracts anticoagulants (used in blood-thinning medication).

The man from Ayrshire was prescribed anticoagulants after suffering heart failure in 2011, and his dose was monitored weekly to prevent blood clotting.

However, his blood started to clot close to Christmas last year and he was admitted to the Golden Jubilee National Hospital in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire.

The doctors could not understand why his medication was not keeping his blood thin until he told them he'd been eating lots of sprouts.

Consultant cardiologist Dr Roy Gardner said: "Patients who are taking anticoagulants are generally advised not to eat too many green leafy vegetables, as they are full of vitamin K, which antagonise the action of this vital medication."

The chief executive of the Golden Jubilee Hospital Jill Young said: "Whilst we think this is possibly the first-ever festive admission to hospital caused by the consumption of Brussels sprouts, we were delighted that we were able to stabilise his levels."