Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Walnuts, and Maple Syrup

Jan 3, 2010

I've never had Brussels Sprouts when I was a kid and when I became an adult I was afraid to try them with their bad rap sheet. I finally tried it one day and to my surprise they taste just like cabbage which I Iove. It does have a little bitter taste to it that I like even more. I was going to bring this dish to Christmas but my family doesn't like them as much as I do so I made this all for myself. It's nutty, sweet, smokey, and delicious. These bite size green golf balls are here in the winter time and gone in the spring time. 

Ingredients: 
5 slices of bacon
3-4 cups of Brussels Sprouts, petite or regular,
1 tbs of butter
1 tbs of extra virgin olive oil
3/4 cup of walnuts, chopped
2 tbs of maple syrup
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees
Place bacon on wire rack and cook in the oven until brown and crisp (approximately 8-10 mintues) and set aside or brown bacon in a skillet.
Over medium heat  melt butter and olive oil in a saute pan. Saute Brussels Sprouts for 4-5 minutes until fork tender, season with salt and pepper.
Add chopped walnuts and saute until golden brown. Add maple syrup and stir until all the ingredients are well coated. Crumble bacon and sprinkle on top.