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Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Cranberries

The best side dish for the holiday season

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How do you feel about brussels sprouts?

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I love vegetables and there is rarely a vegetable that I don't like. However, brussels sprouts were a long time in this category. If I am honest with you I am still not a fan of eating them plain. That means, whenever I make them I either start of with bacon like in this recipe or I flavour them with a little honey and butter or so. It is just that they have such a bitter taste that I think needs to be balanced out.

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With the holidays coming I thought I would try something new.​ I had some dried cranberries, which I think are a great companion to meats as they have such a lovely sweet taste with a tiny hint of sourness. Since I mentioned the bacon before, I also wanted to get some of that in there. Also I still had a glass full of fresh rosemary from the garden which I like to add to any dish that I find fitting and I thought it would just give that bacon fat such a lovely taste. Now you are wondering "what is a glass full of rosemary", let me explain :) We have a rosemary bush in our garden and so that I don't have to get fresh rosemary from the bush daily, I cut a bigger bunch for myself, take a small glass where it would fit, pour in some cold water, just to cover the bottom and have them in my fridge. You need to change the water every couple of days and you can also trim the bottom of the rosemary allowing it to last fresh for weeks in your fridge. 

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I must say these brussels sprouts were a hit and we enjoyed them with a side of mashed potatoes. I think they will also make a great Thanksgiving side or Christmas side. You might even convert some family memembers who usually don't enjoy brussels sprouts to some brussels sprouts eaters :) 

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As I mentioned, I like to eat brussels sprouts only with something added to them. This also means I am constantly looking for new recipes and if you have some great ones, please feel free to share with me :)

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Happy Holidays Lovelies!​

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Step by Step Video

RECIPE

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Cranberries

The best side dish for the holiday season

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​INGREDIENTS

(makes about 6 portions)​

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  • about 1kg brussels sprouts

  • fresh rosemary

  • 100-150g bacon

  • handful of dried cranberries

  • black pepper

  • salt

  • 20-30g butter (optional)

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DIRECTIONS

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  1. In a small bowl soak the dried cranberries in hot water for about ten to fifteen minutes.

  2. Remove the bad outer leaves from the brussels sprouts and cut off the bottom ends. Wash well and bring to boil in salted water. Once boiling reduce the temperature to simmer and simmer for ten to fifteen minutes or until cooked through. Test whether the brussels sprouts have cooked through with a knife. Once cooked through remove from heat, drain the water and run under some cold water to cool. Then half and leave aside.

  3. Put a big pan over medium heat and add in the rosemary and the bacon. I prefer to add the rosemary in branches so I can remove it easily before serving. Brown the bacon lightly over medium heat mixing once in a while.

  4. Once the bacon has browned enough, drain the water from the cranberries and add the cranberries to the bacon. Fry for about a minute while mixing.

  5. Add the halved brussels sprouts, season with black pepper and salt and mix well. Continue frying over medium heat until the brussels sprouts are nice and golden. This should take no more than fifteen minutes. Mix once in a while during the cooking process to ensure even browning.

  6. Once you are happy with the colour of the brussels sprouts turn off the heat, add in the butter and allow it to melt in.

  7. Serve warm as a side dish.

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