12 inch Dutch oven: coals for frying, braising and finishing, probably a couple of small batches
Serves 4
Ingredients:
- 6 strips thick-cut bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 1-1/2 lbs fresh Brussels sprouts (see recipes notes for frozen), each cut in 1/2
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 TB Dijon mustard
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Preparation:
- Cook the bacon until crisp. Transfer to paper to drain. Drain the pan and leave 2 TB fat.
- Add the butter and onion to skillet. Saute onion over medium heat until translucent, about 7-8 minutes.
- Stir in Brussels sprouts and cook for 2 minutes, stir occasionally.
- Add in chicken broth.
- Cover and braise the Brussels sprouts until not quite done/tender, maybe 3-5 minutes.
- Uncover the pan, stir in mustard, add salt and pepper to taste.
- Continue to cook, uncovered until Brussels sprouts are tender and the liquid is reduced to a glaze, 2-3 minutes more.
- Stir in maple syrup and bacon just before taking the pan off the heat. Serve wam.
Recipe Notes:
To use frozen Brussels sprouts in this recipe, defrost them overnight in the refrigerator for best results. Cooking time in the boiling water should be reduced to about 4 minutes, or you can microwave them according to package directions.
Note: Brussels sprouts can lose their bright green color if kept warming in the oven.