Fatty Cue Brussels Sprouts Food

CRISPY BACON FAT BRUSSELS SPROUTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil.
• Slice the Brussels sprouts lengthwise into thirds. If some of the outer leaves fall off, that's okay; don't discard them--they'll crisp up nicely in the oven. Transfer the sprouts to a bowl, add the bacon fat, 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and toss to combine. Spread them out on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake until the smaller sprouts are crispy, about 20 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and transfer the crispy sprouts to a serving plate. With tongs, flip over the remaining sprouts (flipping them individually makes for the crispiest results). Return to the oven and bake until deeply browned and crisp all over, 5 to 10 more minutes.

SAUTéED BRUSSELS SPROUTS

Steps:

• If using something like bacon or sausage, start by browning the meat in a large skillet (10 to 12 inches) over medium-high heat to render the fat. Once the meat is cooked, remove it with a slotted spoon, leaving behind the drippings. (You can add the crispy meat bits back later.)
• Add halved brussels sprouts to the fat, shaking the skillet so that as many as possible land cut side down. Now, don't touch! Disturbing the skillet at this point would prevent the sprouts from caramelizing. Cook until they have a nice sear on one side, 5 to 8 minutes. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, give them a stir and continue to cook until they're nicely browned all over and just tender on the inside, another 5 to 8 minutes.
• Just before removing from the heat, add in a handful of aromatics, like chopped garlic, sliced onion, thyme sprigs or dried chiles, tossing to coat and cooking only a minute or two. Stir in the reserved bacon or sausage bits, if using.
• Finish with either a squeeze of halved lemon, a splash of nice vinegar or a handful of pickled onions or shallots. Because of the sprouts' meaty flavor profile, it's also nice to hit them with a smattering of fresh herbs, especially parsley, cilantro or mint. Salt and pepper to taste.

FATTY 'CUE BRUSSELS SPROUTS

Steps:

• Combine one of the chilies with the garlic and shallots in a food processor and purée, or use a mortar and pestle.
• Fry bacon in a large sauté pan over medium heat until most of the fat is rendered, about 5 minutes. Add coriander seeds and stir until fragrant. Transfer bacon to paper towels using a slotted spoon.
• Add brussels sprouts to the pan, cut sides down, and cook over medium heat until golden brown on the undersides, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and transfer to paper towels.
• Add garlic-shallot paste and cook over low heat until fragrant, about one minute. Return brussels sprouts to pan and cook, stirring, 1 to 2 minutes. Add chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until sprouts are mostly tender, about 5 minutes. Uncover and reduce broth to the consistency of a glaze. Thinly slice the remaining chili. Remove pan from heat and stir in the syrup, bacon and sliced chilies. Sprinkle with salt.

FETTUCCINE WITH BRUSSELS SPROUTS

Steps:

• Cook the fettuccine according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute brussels sprouts and onion in butter until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain fettuccine; add to the skillet and toss to coat. Sprinkle with cheese and walnuts.

BRUSSELS SPROUT LEAF AND BABY SPINACH SAUTé

Steps:

• Working with one brussels sprout at a time, peel off each individual leaf, starting from the outside and working toward the middle. Continue to peel until you get to the tough core where it is just too tight to pull any more leaves. Discard the core and put the leaves in a big bowl. Repeat with the remaining brussels sprouts.
• Over medium heat, warm the olive oil in a large frying pan. Add all of the brussels sprout leaves and sauté for about 30 seconds. Add the vinegar and maple syrup and toss to coat. Add the spinach to the pan and toss until it is just barely wilted. It is better just slightly underdone in this case, as it will continue to cook in its own heat.
• Sprinkle with the salt and Marcona almonds and serve immediately.

CRISPY ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS AND SHALLOTS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees. In a medium bowl, toss together brussels sprouts, shallots, olive oil and salt. Evenly divide brussels sprouts mixture between two rimmed 13-by-18-inch baking sheets, spreading everything into one layer. Top with thyme sprigs.
• Roast, stirring once, until brussels sprouts and shallots are tender, golden and lightly charred in spots, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together garlic, Worcestershire and lemon juice.
• As soon as brussels sprouts emerge from oven, immediately drizzle with Worcestershire dressing, tossing to combine. Taste and add more salt, lemon juice, or Worcestershire if needed. Top with grated Parmesan if you like and serve immediately.