Bacon Braised Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients

• 200gm brussels sprouts, washed,and cut in half
• 50gm bacon, cut into small squares
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and smashed, plus 2 cloves, roughly chopped
• 4 sprigs thyme, plus 2 sprigs thyme, leaves only, chopped
• 2 cups chicken stock
• sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 20gm grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or good hard cheese
• 30gm panko bread crumbs
• 2 sprigs rosemary, leaves only, chopped
• extra-virgin olive oil

Method

Preheat oven to 180 C.

Take a large pan and set over medium-high heat. Add bacon and cook until fat renders 2 to 3 minutes. Add the smashed garlic clove, thyme sprigs and Brussels sprouts and cook gently until slightly caramelized. Add stock and reduce heat to a simmer. Season with salt and a little pepper, cover and simmer for 6 minutes until tender.

After Brussels sprouts are done cooking, put them in oven safe dish.

Toss bread crumbs with rosemary, thyme leaves and chopped garlic, then drizzle with a little olive oil and salt and pepper. Sprinkle bread crumb mixture and Parmigiano over Brussels sprouts and bake in a hot oven until golden and crispy. 

Serve as a side dish to accompany roasted chicken or lamb.