While this might not be the most appealing photo, trust me when I say that this dish is melt-in-your-mouth, eat-the-entire-dish amazing. There is a cheesy, bacon Brussel sprout dish that I order every time I go to Salt Hill Pub, a restaurant with a few locations near me. We don't go there very often, but whenever we do, I have my go to sprouts. Now, as we are all staying safe and social distancing in our homes, I wanted to find a way to bring that delicious meal to life in my own kitchen. This recipe made these Brussel sprouts into more of a dish, and I loved the creamy, cheesy nature of it. I can't wait to make it again!
ingredients ~
10 oz. bacon, cut into strips
2 Tbsp. butter
2 lb. Brussel sprouts, washed (trim bottoms and cut sprouts in half)
Salt and Pepper, to season
5 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 1/2 cups light or heavy cream
1 1/2 tsp. cornstarch mixed with 1 Tbsp. water (cornstarch slurry -- optional)
1/3 cup fresh shredded or grated mozzarella
1/4 cup fresh shredded or grated parmesan cheese
recipe ~
1. Preheat the oven to 375 F.
2. Fry the bacon in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat until crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to a paper towel lined plate to soak up some of the oil. Set aside.
3. Drain most of the bacon fat from the pan, leaving about 1-2 Tbsp. for added flavor (adjust this amount to your liking). In the same pan, melt the butter, then add the Brussel sprouts and season with salt and pepper. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, and cook while stirring occasionally, for about 6 minutes. The edges should start crisping and slightly charring.
4. Add in the garlic and stir it through the sprouts for a minute, until fragrant. Pour in the cream, reduce heat down to low and allow them to simmer until tender (another 3-4 minutes).
5. If the cream is too thin for your liking, add in the cornstarch slurry, stirring it through immediately, until combined.
6. Add the bacon in and give everything a good mix to combine all of the flavors together. Top the sprouts with the mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Bake until cheese is bubbly and sprouts are done to your liking (about 15 minutes). If you like your cheese browned, change oven settings to broil for 2-3 minutes, until golden.
7. Season with a little extra pepper, if desired, before serving. You can also sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley, thyme or rosemary.
Recipe from Karina, a food blogger on Cafe Delights.
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