Potatoes, Bacon and… Brussels Sprouts?!
I have one word and one word only.
Ew.
I really don’t want to discuss it.
No, I really don’t want to discuss it.
How does one even eat that thing? Do you eat the bottom stem-like part? Because I definitely cut that off.
Here’s the deal.
I fried up one piece of bacon and let all the drippings get happy in the pan. My, oh my does bacon grease thrill me like nothing else on this planet. (That’s probably half of my problem.)
Then I caramelized the onion in the bacon grease, added the potato, added the brussels sprouts, and later finished it off with some balsamic vinegar at high heat.
So they come off the stovetop. I sit down and mind you, I was starving. I mean, bring out that bacon and I basically shift in to Pavlov’s dog regardless of what time of day it is. I push the sprouts around, hoping that they will disappear and search for crumbly little bacon bits. Then I decided to make this quick and painless and I eat one.
I sort of liked it. Maybe “like” isn’t the right word. But I don’t hate it.
This can’t be right, I’m thinking. So I eat another one. They were actually kind of good. You know, good in the way that they didn’t make me want to vomit.
So I kept on eating them. And lo and behold, I ate every single one you see on that plate!
Okay. So it was only 4 brussels sprouts. I know. But I cut them in half so really I ate 8, right?
And you’re right – I did eat them fast because I might have made a deal with myself that I couldn’t even touch the bacon and potatoes until the green things were gone. So yes: I bribed myself with bacon.
But still – they weren’t terrible.
The bad news is that I’ve tried eating brussels sprouts in different ways (roasting, etc) and have had to admit defeat. I don’t really think brussels sprouts and I will be hopping on the love boat anytime soon, unless I can continue to romance bacon and potatoes on the side.
Â
Potatoes, Bacon and Brussels Sprouts
serves 2
2 potatoes, chopped (I used yukon gold)
1/4 vidalia onion, chopped
1 slice bacon
8-10 brussels sprouts
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Heat a skillet over medium heat. Chop bacon and add to skillet, frying until brown. Remove bacon bits and let drain on paper towel. Add the onion to the bacon drippings and sprinkle with salt. Caramelize for 2-3 minutes, then add chopped potatoes. Saute for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Chop brussels sprouts in half and add to the pan, flat side down. Let cook for 5 minutes. Flip brussels sprouts and cook for 5 more minutes.
Add balsamic vinegar and stir. Cook for 2-3 more minutes. Remove from pan and sprinkle with bacon. Season with salt and pepper if needed.
Well… this changes everything.
Check out my post over at Zesty Cook! It involves one of my favorite snacks.
122 Comments on “Potatoes, Bacon and… Brussels Sprouts?!”
I have a suggestion. Try adding a little mustard and honey to the vinegar and you will LOVE eating your brussels. I think I posted this for you!
http://www.leftoverqueen.com/2008/04/02/brussel-sprouts-i-dare-you-to-tell-me-you-hate-them
Thank you! I will try!
I’m not a huge fan of Brussels sprouts either…but I’d try this!
You’re braver than me. I would have stuck with the bacon and taters!
awesome! maybe i can trick my boyfriend into eating brussels sprouts by cooking them with bacon ;)
Brussles are a cruciferous veggies, related to broccoli, cauliflower and some lesser knowns. But they have a high sulfur content that’s released when cooked. Some people are just never ever going to be ok with that. Bacon grease or not :) That’s your food science trivia du jour :)
Yikes, Brussels Sprouts are just hideous but maybe bacon could cure it:)
This looks so good!! Of course, I love brussels sprouts, so Im an easy sell. I know, I’m crazy, but I actually think theyre delicious. Even my mom is disappointed in me for that one. :)
I saw the Twitter exchange between you and Lo yesterday and couldn’t wait to see what you had up your sleeve. These look wonderful!
You are so funny! Ok, I actually LOVE brussel sprouts. But my husband is in your camp – won’t touch ’em. Unless I shred them up and then fry them. Seriously, if you get the courage to try again, tru either slicing them super thin or shredding on a mandoline slicer, and then saute in bacon fat with a bit of garlic. Total texture change, so you might enjoy!
i LOVE BS’s but I like to have them mixed with different veggies. Something like cauliflower which I love I can eat just by itself, but too many BS’s and I get uninterested…I do love them though!!!
Love them! I thought they would be gross until my husband made me try one…now I’ve been converted. They are like mini heads of lettuce! I’ve had them with bacon and water chestnuts and loved it. We’ll have to try the addition of balsamic vinegar…sounds excellent!
So impressed with all of your creative and mouthwatering and healthy and delicious looking recipes of late… you are quite the talent my dear!
Blessings-
Amanda
Brussel sprouts are hard! even for veggie lovers! They are one of about 3 vegetables that I can’t stand haha so I’m very proud of you for eating all of yours! :)
You have ESPn. How’d you know I was cooking brussels tonight? Your way is much bettah than boiling the hell out of it like I was going to do.
haha this made me laugh out loud! I cut off the bottom too, I think your supposed to?
I actually LOVE brussels :) So I must try adding balsamic next time too!
I love brussels sprouts, but if we’re being honest, I’d much rather have chocolate! ;)
Wow, nice work! I’ve had a couple failed attempts with brussel sprouts and haven’t wanted to venture with them since. This helps change that perspective :)
Try splitting them, simmering in water until bright green and slightly tender and then do a saute in a little olive oil until browned. Hit them with some kosher salt. Delicious! (Last Thanksgiving I fried up one slice of bacon to render some fat and then did a saute in that, people ate them up no problem!)
I’m not a bacon eater, but that idea sounds delish. Personally, after I roast brussels sprouts (I cut off that hard bottom-thingy too), I have different sauces to dip them in like BBQ, Dijon and a Lemon-Garlic Aioli. It makes the whole affair FAR better. I just don’t think I have it in me to eat them sans-sauce.
Yay! I’m so glad you didn’t hate them – Brussels sprouts are one of my absolute favorites!
I am totally like you. Veggies are eww, but bacon is dreamy. But I’m trying, and maybe, just maybe I could try a brussel sprout prepared this way! Thanks!
I love brussels sprouts no matter what- but with bacon anything and everything is better. Glad to read tou are eating your veggies :)
xo
ooo those look delicious! I haven’t made Brussels sprouts since I managed to burn 2 cups of them a few months ago–oops!
I can only eat them in Whole Foods roasts them. They must put some magic fairy dust on them before hitting the oven because they taste NOTHING like mine. Otherwise they just remind me of baby Cabbage Patch Kids. :-)
Maybe I am a bit of a granny at heart but I love brussels sprouts. I like them best with breadcrumbs fried with garlic, lemon zest, finely chopped parsley & parmezan.
I love brussels sprouts! Try them roasted with EVOO, pecans, and LOTS of bleu cheese…YUM!
Pingback: Apple Nachos. | How Sweet It Is
omg its so true!! my mom used to put bacon and brussel sprouts together for dinner and THE COMBO WAS DELICIOUS!! thats so crazy to see someone else make it!! haha <3
You have a wonderful way of showing beauty in disgusting things through pictures. I’m sorry, but I don’t see how the world’s greatest food product (PORK FAT) could make those gaggy things taste any better. The “brussel sprout incident” I had when I was 7 has scarred me for life. I saw your beautiful pictures and STILL threw up in my mouth a little… ew.
Hahahahah this cracked me. Now you know how I feel about veggies in general. :)
oh, man. i LOVE brussel sprouts! i roast them in the oven with a ton of olive oil, and usually cover them in pepper and a bit of parmesean cheese. after 45 mins, they’re fork tender and SO GOOD!
congrats for trying!
I love brussel sprouts, this sounds delish!
I’m impressed that you ate Brussels sprouts! They are actually one of my favorites… and cooking them in bacon fat is the way to go! :)
Oh…my….yum. I love everything about this meal. I’m one of those weird veggie lovers your mom warned you about. And the addition of bacon is always welcome :-)
Finally a recipe that just might make brussel sprouts edible. :) http://windowontheprairie.com/ Suzanne
Pingback: Thirsty Thursday « Blog is the New Black
Pingback: Never Have I Ever | Student of Healthy Living
Your awesome recipe and amazing pictures have inspired me to face my fear, and try brussel sprouts! I am going to follow this recipe because it sounds so delicious :) Thanks for posting it!
I am so with you! I can’t stand brussels sprouts either! I hadn’t had them in YEARS and wondered if I still hated them so I bought a back last winter and roasted some but just didn’t like them. At. All. I gave the rest away!
I can see where they would be more tolerable with bacon and the balsamic vinegar.
Good for you on trying them!
I am not a brussel sprout person either!! But I had them very similar to the way you made them, but instead of balsamic vinegar, try squeezing fresh lemon juice over them! I couldn’t believe how good they were!!!
Pingback: Anniversary Dinner = Comfort Food. | How Sweet It Is
Pingback: Shredded Sprouts Salad with Bacon and Asiago | How Sweet It Is
Pingback: Crispy Honey Chicken | How Sweet It Is
Pingback: Don’t Hate Me for This Side Dish! « Galaxy Fitness Club's Blog
Pingback: Don’t Hate Me for This Side Dish!! « Westmoreland Athletic Club's Blog
So I used to hate brussel sprouts. Hate them. But I found a recipe that included dijon mustard and pine nuts (and salt and pepper, of course) and while I do not hate them, I actually almost enjoyed them. In fact, I’m making them again this week!
Ok so for all of us that have a HORRIBLE memory of brussel sprouts…mine was caused by my elementary school cafeteria…food left on your plate=no recess!!! I remember they used to just steam them or boil them…eewww!
well i found a recipe that not only renewed my love for brussel sprouts but made them my FAVORITE veggie dish
I dont have the exact recipe but its super easy…
-Fry a few slices of bacon in a pan and keep the drippings.
-Take bacon out and crumble it.
-Add some chicken broth and a good tablespoon of brown sugar to drippings and get it to boil.
-Once the mixture is at a boil, throw in your sprouts cut in halves and bring it down to a simmer.
-Cover it until you get to the texture you prefer and until you get the sprouts nicely caramelized.
-Toss in the bacon bits and voila!!!
A dellliiicious new dish to try!
Pingback: Blog is the New Black » Blog Archive » Chicken Parmesan
Pingback: Warm White Bean and Spinach Salad | How Sweet It Is
Definitely using an extra piece of bacon next time :-) other than that this was such a nice change to just roasting them; thanks for the inspiration!