Toasted Almond + Bacon Brussel Sprouts
Two years ago my mother in law gave me a food processor for Christmas and it still makes me smile big time. I’ve always wanted a food processor after growing up and watching my mother and grandmother whiz things up with theirs. I even love the sound because when I hear it I can picture my grandmother’s old home, a tiny me sitting at the table watching her. When I finally got my very own as an adult I felt immediately in awe. I felt grown up and couldn’t wait to use it. I also think it is lovely that my mother in law gave me something I used to dream of as a little girl, while watching the most important women in life cooking. All three women now have their hand in helping me create in my kitchen. That thought makes my heart sing.
Truthfully I make a lot with my food processor; pie crusts, graham cracker crusts, breadcrumbs, pesto. But the one thing I wanted to make more than anything was shredded Brussels sprouts! I’ve never been a fan of whole Brussels sprouts, but favor them shredded and I wanted to make them on my own. The first thing I made with my food processor two years ago was shredded Brussels sprouts. And now, I’ve perfected them. Let me share them with you!
Well, of course there is bacon. You can omit this and just use olive oil. But if you eat bacon, use the bacon! I like to use kitchen scissors and cut the bacon directly into the pan. It is way easier than cutting it with a knife on a cutting board. Cook the bacon until crisp and then set it aside. Yes, of course we cook the Brussels sprouts in the bacon grease. How could we not?!
In the left over bacon grease I toast up some fresh garlic and then add in the shredded Brussel sprouts. I let them cook down and soften. They end up absorbing the bacon flavor and garlic. Pieces of the Brussels sprouts get crisp. In the end I toss the bacon back in and add toasted almonds for a delicious crunch. The result is incredible, a must try!
Toasted Almond + Bacon Brussels Sprouts
Ingredients
1 bag of whole or shredded Brussels Sprouts.
10-12 slices of bacon cut into bite sized pieces
2 garlic cloves finely diced
1 cup toasted slivered almonds
salt + pepper to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
Directions
Step 1: Prep your Brussels sprouts if they aren’t already shredded. Use a food processor to shred them or a knife and carefully finely slice them.
Step 2: In a large fry pan on medium heat cut your bacon into bite sized pieces directly into the pan. Cook the bacon until crisp and then set aside. Remove some of the bacon grease, leaving about 2 tablespoons in the pan.
Step 3: Continue on medium heat and add the garlic. Stir and let the garlic toast up for a minute or two. Keep a close eye so the garlic doesn’t burn.
Step 4: Add in the shredded Brussels sprouts and stir to coat them in the bacon grease + garlic. Sprinkle a little salt and pepper. I also drizzle a bit of olive oil to help them cook along. They end up absorbing the bacon grease which is delicious, the oil just helps them cook and not burn. Let them cook down and soften. This takes about 10 minutes or so. Be sure to keep stirring so they don’t burn. I like them to have a bit of bite to them so I try to not cook them all the way down until they get soggy. Have a fork nearby to taste as you go.
Step 5: Once the Brussels sprouts are nearly done, add the cooked bacon and toasted slivered almonds. Stir and serve warm!