brussels sprouts Archives

Bacon Brussels Sprouts Risotto

December 18, 2014 · by Ari ·

This post is sponsored by Swanson®. All opinions are my own.

Bacon brussels sprouts risotto is so rich, creamy and comforting. Filled with smokey bacon flavor, seared brussels sprouts and creamy, tender rice; this will instantly become your new favorite dinner!

I’ve had a long standing battle with cooking rice. I know, I know….I can make macarons, but I can’t make rice. I guess we all have our things? Also, I almost always burn popcorn. Finally, I developed a risotto recipe so fool proof even I can’t mess it up, which means you are golden. 😉

Okay, let’s talk about brussels sprouts for a hot second because so many people think they hate them, but I think that they just haven’t had them cooked well. For the longest time, I was not into brussels sprouts. So often they aren’t tender enough for my taste. I want a crisp sear, then a melt in your mouth softness. Have you ever had steamed brussels sprouts? OMG The.Worst. These babies are nothing like that, and by cooking them with bacon and hiding them in carbs, this is the perfect opportunity to convince even your toughest critics.

Risotto is so creamy that most people think it’s made with butter and cream, but I just use a little white wine and a whole lotta chicken broth, and allow the starches in the rice to naturally develop and create that beautifully creamy texture.

Risotto is known for being difficult and time consuming, but honestly it just requires a little bit of patience, and you can multi-task by cooking your bacon and brussels sprouts at the same time as your risotto.

You’ll notice I don’t add a single spice or seasoning in this recipe. That’s because the Swanson® Tuscan Chicken Flavor Infused Broth, along with the smokey bacon add so much flavor on their own, there is just no need for it. I’m usually all about adding everything but the kitchen sink into my recipes, but this one just doesn’t need anything extra.

If you want to impress your holiday guests, this is definitely the dish for you!

Bacon Brussels Sprouts Risotto

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Yield: 4 servings

Bacon Brussels Sprouts Risotto

Bacon brussels sprouts risotto is so rich, creamy and comforting. Filled with smokey bacon flavor, seared brussels sprouts and creamy, tender rice; this will instantly become your new favorite dinner!

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil, divided*
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 sweet onion, finely chopped
1 cup arborio rice
1/2 cup dry white wine (or replace with extra chicken broth if you don't use alcohol)
32 ounces Swanson® Tuscan Chicken Flavor Infused Broth
1 cup brussels sprouts, halved, stems removed, extra leaves reserved**
4 slices center cut bacon, chopped

Instructions

Coat a large pan with olive oil (this should be about 2 tablespoons) and heat over medium low heat. Add garlic and onion and toss until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add in rice and toss until browned, about 5-10 minutes. Add wine and stir to combine.
Coat a medium pan with olive oil (this will be about 1 tablespoon) and heat over medium heat. Place brussels sprouts flat side down and cook until bottom is browned and crispy, about 5-10 minutes. Once browned, flip and push to one side of the pan and add chopped bacon to the other. Cook until bacon is browned, tossing both the bacon and the brussels sprouts often. Once bacon is cooked toss bacon and brussels sprouts together and add reserved brussels sprouts leaves. Reduce heat to low and cook until leaves are browned, tossing occasionally.
While the brussels sprouts are browning, add chicken broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring until fully incorporated, reserving about 1/4 cup from your 32 ounce container. Once all broth (except for reserved 1/4 cup) has been incorporated, add cooked bacon and brussels sprouts.
Deglaze the bacon and brussels sprouts pan by pouring in reserved chicken broth. Increase heat to medium high, and use a spatula to scrape up all of the browned bits left over from the bacon and brussels sprouts. Pour into risotto and stir until fully incorporated. Serve immediately. Leftovers may be stored in an airtight container for up to one week.

Notes

*Olive oil just needs to coat the bottom of each pan. You do not need an exact measurement. **As you slice your brussels sprouts, some extra leaves will fall off. You want to save those because they cook faster and add them in later in the cooking process. ***This recipe is best cooked in stainless steel cookware.

https://arismenu.com/bacon-brussels-sprouts-risotto/

This blog post is sponsored by Swanson®.

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Brussels Sprouts Fontina Mac & Cheese {The Recipe ReDux}

April 22, 2014 · by Ari ·

Rich, hearty and healthy veggie-packed mac & cheese with fontina cheese, rosemary and garlic. Brussels sprouts fontina mac & cheese is a quick and easy vegetarian meal to throw together that’s filled with flavor and nutrients!

For the longest time, I didn’t get the whole deal about cast iron skillets. They just seemed like so much….work. Not to mention–this is embarrassing–but when I first started cooking, I didn’t like to use anything where I couldn’t use that fake “zero calorie” spray. I mean, don’t get me wrong, the diet mentality is a tough one to break, and I still keep that crap in my house (guilty), but my thoughts on cooking and eating have changed quite a bit.

My mom had this cast iron pan sitting around for years. She wasn’t exactly sure what to cook with it, and she’s much less adventurous (though still an AWESOME cook!) in the kitchen than I am. She has a few staples and will always make our favorite dishes, where as I cook something new every single time I have anyone over. I can’t help it.

Anyway, I started talking about wanting a cast iron skillet and my mom decided to pass hers down to me. She is always giving me the best hand-me-downs. I still have this awesome big red recliner chair that doesn’t match anything that she gave me when I moved into my first apartment. Winston and Clementine have kind of claimed it as their own in the last couple of years, but I still love that chair, and I kinda feel the same attachment towards my cast iron.

It’s definitely not an all-the-time dish in my house, but it makes things more special, and once you cook with one, you will absolutely understand what all the fuss is about! So when The Recipe ReDux asked us to tell a story about a treasured piece of cookware, I immediately knew I wanted to share my cast iron with you guys.

You don’t have to have a cast iron to make this mac and cheese. Of course it will make it better, and it certainly is a pretty way to present it, but you could easily use any pan you choose. What really makes this dish stand out is the combination of seared brussels sprouts with garlic and olive oil with creamy and sharp fontina cheese and a touch of rosemary. The flavors work flawlessly together, and even if you don’t normally get excited for brussels sprouts, I promise you’ll want to give these ones a chance. In fact, if you still don’t like them after eating this, I will do awesome embarrassing acts of your choosing. Within reason. 😉

Brussels Sprouts Fontina Mac & Cheese

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Yield: 4-6 servings

Brussels Sprouts Fontina Mac & Cheese

Rich, hearty and healthy veggie-packed mac & cheese with fontina cheese, rosemary and garlic. A quick and easy vegetarian meal to throw together that's filled with flavor and nutrients!

Ingredients

8 ounces uncooked whole grain macaroni (I used gluten-free, use whatever works for you)
~2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 pound brussels sprouts, ends removed and halved
3 large cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper
8 ounces reduced fat cream cheese
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or whatever milk you'd like)
1 cup freshly grated fontina cheese
1 large sprig rosemary, stem removed and finely minced

Instructions

In medium pot, cook macaroni according to package instructions. When finished, strain and set aside.
Meanwhile, heat a large pan (8-10", preferably cast iron or stainless steal for best searing) over medium heat. If using a cast iron, keep in mind you do not need to use as much heat. Coat bottom with olive oil using about 1 tablespoon. Place halved brussels sprouts cut side down, season with a generous pinch of salt and pepper and sear until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Flip and cook opposite side until browned, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and stir occasionally.
Once you get your brussels started, heat a medium pot or high rimmed pan over medium low heat. Coat with olive oil using about 1 tablespoon. Add garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Add cream cheese and milk. Season with salt and pepper and whisk constantly until cream cheese is melted and milk and cheese are combined, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in fontina and mix until incorporated.
Stir cooked pasta into prepared cheese sauce then transfer to your cast iron and stir into cooked brussels sprouts. Stir in fresh rosemary. Serve immediately. Leftovers may be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

https://arismenu.com/brussels-sprouts-fontina-mac-cheese/

An InLinkz Link-up

Drink & Dish: Brussels Sprouts with Apple, Bacon & Dates

October 8, 2013 · by Ari ·

Tender seared brussels sprouts with crispy bacon, soft and sweet dates, and crunchy chopped apples topped with a sweet balsamic glaze. Looking for more healthy side dishes? Check these out!

I want to tell you a story. A love story…of sorts. You see, I used to hate brussels sprouts. People all over the internet go crazy for them, and I never got it. I legit thought they were gross.

Then I tasted them in a big dish of roasted veggies, and decided I could tolerate them. They weren’t terrible, but I would still find a couple lingering on my plate after I had devoured every other vegetable on there. I’m a girl who loves my veggies–I eat them first, and I almost always finish them. I would be a great example for your children.

One day, I ordered a dish at True Foods that included brussels sprouts. I took a bite and immediately went back in for more thinking it must be a fluke. They were incredible! I find myself digging around on my plate searching, trying to find every last one. I usually only do that with goat cheese! 😉

Ever since that day, there has been a new veggie love in my life and I have never looked back. These quickly became my new favorite snack, and I began the process of convincing Steve that brussels sprouts really weren’t gross (he was not convinced). I figured out what made them work for me–they had to be well cooked. Soft, but not mushy. Definitely not hard and crunchy. They also had to have a beautiful browned sear for the most possible flavor. And they are always better with bacon.

In New Orleans I had them with bacon and dates–they came with this sweet sauce, and they were literally to die for. I gave Steve a bite and he changed his mind right then and there. He told me he would only ever eat them if they tasted like that. Challenge accepted. And I added some apples because, well, it’s fall and they just make it even better.

Funny story, when I made these the first time (for testing, photographing and…dinner), I chopped up the apples to throw in at the last second. You must throw them in at the last second. I despise mushy apples. Anyway, I also sliced some up for the photo. I plated everything, took the pictures, and then after I was finished Steve asks me “Are you doing anything with all these chopped apples in the kitchen?” *face-palm* I had them all chopped and ready to go and never actually put them in. So I added them right then–at the very, very last second. I do things like that all the time–get something ready for a photo then completely forget about it. Please tell me it’s not just me.

For this second fall episode of Drink & Dish, I wanted to share something savory with you. I always forget about fall veggies and get caught up on pumpkin desserts. Brussels sprouts (and apples!) are fall all-stars as well, and I figured it was time for them to take the front seat! This dish pairs perfectly with Nicole’s delicious apple cider cocktail! Make sure you check it out, and of course subscribe to D&D on YouTube!

Drink & Dish: Brussels Sprouts with Apple, Bacon & Dates

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Yield: approx 4 servings

Drink & Dish: Brussels Sprouts with Apple, Bacon & Dates

A delicious, healthy, sweet and savory side dish perfect for fall.

Ingredients

1 cup brussels sprouts, halved and stems removed
1 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper
2 slices center cut bacon, chopped
4 dates, pitted and chopped
1/2 apple (honeycrisp, gala, whatever you like)

For the balsamic glaze (optional):

1/2-1 cup good quality balsamic vinegar

Instructions

Begin with the balsamic glaze by pouring balsamic vinegar into a small sauce pan over high heat. Bring to a boil and reduce to medium-medium high to simmer. Stir occasionally until sauce has reached desired thickness. This took me about 30 minutes for a very syrupy glaze. 20-30 minutes should be all you need. Once desired consistency is reached, remove from heat immediately.
Fill a medium sauce pan half way with water. Bring to a boil. Add brussels sprouts and cook for just 2-3 minutes. Strain and remove. This step helps soften the brussels sprouts--if you like them crunchier, feel free to skip it.
Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Set aside any extra leaves that fall off your brussels sprouts--you'll use those later (they cook faster). Add brussels sprouts flat side down. Season with a generous pinch each of salt and pepper. Cook until seared and brown, about 5-7 minutes. Flip brussels sprouts and move them all to one side of your pan.
Add bacon to the other side of the pan and cook until it begins to crisp, about 5 minutes. Add dates and extra brussels sprouts leaves. Toss to combine. Continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes.
At the very last moment, add chopped apple and give a quick toss. Remove from heat. Serve topped with balsamic vinegar if desired. This dish is best served immediately, but leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

https://arismenu.com/drink-dish-brussels-sprouts-apple-bacon-dates/

Truffle Brussels (Sprouts) Chips

March 22, 2013 · by Ari ·

Hello. I am a healthy food blogger cliche. I made chips out of vegetables, and I’m going to swear to you that they are OMG SO GOOD (they really are), and you’re gonna look at me like “Girl, you roasted a vegetable and you’re calling it not only a chip, but a recipe.”

What can I say? I’ve legit never seen anyone make these before, and I have to wonder…WHY NOT?? When I roast my brussels sprouts, inevitably, some of the leaves fall off, and they cook more quickly, and get browned and crunchy in the oven. I eat those first.

I dig around the pan of roasted brussels sprouts search for the crispy leaves. Is that weird? It can’t be. You people eat kale chips! You’re reading this (mostly) healthy food blog. I know you eat kale chips. I do too….like, every day. Well, that was until I made these, and now I have no desire to eat any other type of vegetable ever again.

There is something you need to know about me. Up until February–like last month February…of this year–I claimed not to like brussels sprouts. I always said I didn’t get it. You know, what all the fuss is about? So many people can’t get enough. Well, then I ordered a dish that came with them, took a bite, and it was cooked perfectly.

Sliced in half, browned in the center, tender, but not mushy. I about died. I picked through my whole plate searching for every last one, and now I am o-b-s-e-s-s-e-d. So one of the 11 times that week that I tried out different ways to create perfectly cooked brussels sprouts at home, this idea dawned on me.

Since my healthier go-away-injury-weight way of eating has been a little boring (No, you don’t want to see a recipe for the 7 lbs of veggies with 1 fried egg and crumbled goat cheese on top that I ate for breakfast this morning. It is neither photogenic, nor a recipe.), I have been on the look out for creative things to share, and these 2 ingredient “chips” are one of those happy life things–so healthy, so simple, and so downright tasty.

Okay, does anyone else feel weird using the word tasty? I thought I’d try it out. Not sure if I like it. I know you’re not “supposed” to use the word delicious. I think I may just go back to adjectives like “good”, or express myself 100% in emoticons….Not that that would be too far of a stretch from how I write anyway. 😉 :O 🙂

Okay, so these chips. First of all, you need to make them. Second of all, no you don’t have to use truffle oil. It’s expensive, and it can be hard to find. Olive oil or coconut oil (yum) is fine. They just won’t taste quiiiite as fancy (yes, fancy does in fact have a taste). C (or third of all if you like to be consistent), you must be verrrrrry careful. You don’t want to walk away from the oven and have a cocktail while these are cooking. They go from just right to burnt in about 10 seconds. The recipe is so quick, just bring your drink over to the oven, and take a li’l sit right where you can see. Browned is one thing, but no one likes a burnt-to-dust brussels sprout. Not even Winston and Clementine.

Truffle Brussels Chips

1 lb brussels sprouts
1 scant tbsp truffle oil
generous pinch salt and pepper

Directions:

Slice brussels sprouts length wise. Remove the leaves and toss into a medium bowl. (Don’t throw out the centers–just roast them up separately.) Add truffle oil and a generous pinch each of salt and pepper. Toss lightly to coat. Transfer to a large baking sheet and spread out in a single layer.
Broil until just browned and crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Watch closely–they can burn quickly. Serve immediately.