Description
Festive Brussels Sprouts Dance with crispy bacon, sweet cranberries, and crunchy pecans in this irresistible side dish. Seasonal comfort meets bold flavors, creating a memorable bite that will delight you at any holiday gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 500 g (1 pound) brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
Nuts and Dried Fruits:
- ⅓ cup pecans, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
Seasoning and Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Meticulously trim and halve the Brussels sprouts, ensuring uniform size for consistent cooking and optimal caramelization.
- Render bacon in a spacious skillet over medium heat until achieving a perfect crisp texture, carefully extracting the strips and fragmenting them into delicate crumbles while reserving the rendered fat.
- Leverage the residual bacon drippings to sauté the Brussels sprouts, introducing minimal olive oil if needed, and rotating them periodically to develop a rich golden-brown exterior and tender interior.
- After approximately 6-7 minutes of sautéing, incorporate roasted pecans and vibrant dried cranberries, gently folding them into the caramelized sprouts to encourage integrated heating and flavor melding.
- Elevate the dish with judicious seasoning of salt and freshly cracked black pepper, ensuring a balanced flavor profile that complements the inherent sweetness of the sprouts and the smoky essence of the bacon.
- Elegantly transfer the medley to a serving platter, cascading the reserved bacon crumbles across the top, creating a visually appealing presentation that promises a symphony of textures and tastes.
Notes
- Trim Brussels sprouts carefully to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.
- Use thick-cut bacon for a richer, meatier flavor that adds more depth to the dish.
- Toast pecans separately before adding to enhance their nutty aroma and prevent burning during sautéing.
- Pat Brussels sprouts dry with paper towels to achieve maximum crispiness when cooking.
- Adjust cooking time based on desired texture – shorter for crunchier, longer for softer sprouts.
- Swap bacon with pancetta or plant-based bacon for alternative dietary preferences.
- Add a splash of balsamic vinegar or maple syrup for an extra layer of sweetness and complexity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg