Brussels Sprouts W/ Apples And Bacon
Brussels Sprouts W/ Apples And Bacon – Clean & Delicious®
Brussels Sprouts. People seem to either love em’ or hate em’.
If you like cabbage then you will definitely like brussel sprouts (I mean, technically speaking they really do look just like little mini-cabbages AND they are from the same family). They have a slightly sweet flavor and when cooked well have a crisp, hearty texture.
Call me veggie-crazy, but I honestly believe that if you have well cooked and seasoned brussel sprouts you can’t not like them… they’re just too good!
In this recipe I combine the sprouts with a nice, tart, crunchy apple and some crispy, salty bacon. I’ve seen this combination a thousand times but have never tried it on my own. And I now know why I have seen this flavor combo so often… it’s because it’s really good! I guess I shouldn’t be surprised… we’ve got brussel sprouts, apples, and bacon… hello… what’s not to like?
I’m normally not a big bacon person, but lately it’s been really calling my name. Maybe it has something to do with being seven months pregnant or maybe I just forgot how good bacon really is.
I decided to go with real bacon for this recipe. Not turkey bacon. For starters I found a brand that I think is great, it called Wellshire. It has no nitrates, no preservatives and has 40% less fat. Two slices has sixty calories with three grams of fat (that works for me). It gets really crunchy and has a great flavor although I have to admit that I’ve yet to find a better way to make bacon then in the microwave (am I the only one here?). I just love the dry crunchy texture that it gets.
Anyhow, at the end of the day, the bacon adds a crunchy texture and salty flavor to this dish that could be easily duplicated using pancetta, prosciutto, or even turkey bacon… so feel free to use which ever floats your boat. You only need a little bit for this recipe, so you may as well choose something that you really enjoy.
This dish would be great served along some chicken, pork or even salmon! OR if you wanted to get your legumes in, I think it would also pair well with some lentils. AND if you wanted to keep things really easy, just go ahead and top it with an over easy egg… that would be really good!
Brussels Sprouts W/ Apples And Bacon
Yield: Serves 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 lb of brussel sprouts, trimmed and halved
- 4 slices of reduced fat bacon, pre-cooked in the microwave (I use Wellshire)
- 1 small onion, chopped up
- 2 medium tart apples, diced (either Pink Ladies or Granny Smith)
- 1 tbsp of organic butter
- ¼ cup of chopped parsley (dill would also be great here!)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Place bacon on a microwave safe plate and cover with a paper towel. Cook bacon for four minutes or until your bacon is nice and crispy.
Melt butter in a large sauté pan and onion along with a pinch of salt. While the onion is cooking place brussel sprouts in a steamer basket and steam for eight to ten minutes or until they are nice and tender.
Once your onions are translucent, toss in your apples and cook for another four to five minutes. You are looking for your apples to get nice brown edges and to become just slightly tender.
Once the apples and the onions are ready to go, toss in the brussel sprouts and season with some salt and pepper. Crumble your bacon over the brussel sprouts and toss with your parsley. Adjust your seasoning and enjoy!!
Makes 4 servings.
Nutritional Analysis
Nutrients per 1/4th of recipe; Calories: 156 Total Fat: 5g; Saturated Fat: 2.3g; Cholesterol: 519mg; Sodium: 25mg; Carbohydrate: 23.2g; Dietary Fiber: 6.8g; Sugars: 10g; Protein: 6.3g
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I’m Dani, a Health Counselor, Weight Loss Coach, Fitness Enthusiast and Mom specializing in making simple, nourishing meals fun, fresh, and delish!
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I already love brussels sprouts, but I don’t see how anyone could resist them with a recipe like this!
I like microwaved bacon too for the same reason. It comes out dry and crunchy instead of kinda greasy and soggy. Plus it’s easy! We love brussels sprouts, but tend to reserve them only for Thanksgiving. I’m going to have to start making them a more common visitor to our table.
I don’t know if I love them but I do like them. The problem is that I only buy them frozen since, for some reason, I never think to buy them fresh when I see them. As a result, I end up with part bags of frozen sprouts since it’s just me and my 4-year-old here. Just yesterday, I puréed up the equivalent of a bag and a half because while they were too old to eat whole, I couldn’t stomach just throwing them in the garbage. So now what does one do with a medium-sized mixing bowl FULL of puréed brussels sprouts?
I’m bookmarking this recipe for later. Thanks!
Dani Spies, you RULE!
Honestly, we need you to have a TV show. What’s the Food Network not getting?
PS Cannot wait to make this.
This recipe makes my mouth water! Can you tell me how many this recipe serves?
Ricki – Me too!! And I agree… I think it might the bacon;).
Culinary Wannabe – Isn’t it funny how we tend to use certain ingredients only on specific occasions?! I get sucked into that sometimes too.
Peggy – Oh Peggy, you’ve got to buy them fresh!! (Not that frozen doesn’t have their place… I actually love frozen brussel sprouts topped with garlic powder and parmesan cheese for a quick snack or side). Hmmm… what can one do with a bowl of pureed brussel sprouts? How about a BS Pesto, or just stirring it into some pasta?
Judith – Thanks! Maybe we can get you a job over at the FNW and then you could pul some strings for me;).
Sparkle Girl – Ooops.. it makes four servings. I just edited the recipe!
As always love the recipes and glad to hear things are going good with the baby. So when are you going to post your crazy craving recipes?