Yummy Brussel Sprouts Recipe

I know what you’re thinking , “How can anyone describe brussel sprouts as yummy?” ! I completely understand. You couldn’t have paid me to eat them when I was growing up! The smell of them heating up in the microwave was enough to convince me that they could never be a part of my cooking adventures. Well, I was wrong. This recipe makes eating your veggies fun. The cherries give this dish a delicious sweetness and the pancetta adds a savory, unexpected flavor. Saute’ing the shallots and pancetta also create an enticing smell, while you’re cooking up this unique side dish.

You will need a bag of Brussel sprouts. If you can find them halved, that’s great. If not, you’ll want to cut the ends off and slice them in half. You will also be needing a sprinkling of fresh rosemary. I would recommend chopping up 1 or 2 sprigs. If you don’t have fresh rosemary, use about 2 teaspoons for this recipe. You’ll also need to slice up a shallot or 2.

Now, let’s get cooking. In a large saucepan, heat about 4 tablespoons of olive oil. Next, add a package ( about 4 oz) of diced pancetta and cook for about 3-4 minutes or until it’s crispy. Remove the pancetta with a slotted spoon, leaving the oil in the pan. Next, add the Brussel sprouts to the pan( flat side facing down ). Cook these about 1 to 2 minutes or until golden.

Now, add sliced shallots, rosemary and 1/4 cup of cherries. You can use packaged, dried cherries, they’re delicious. Cook 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the Brussel sprouts are tender. Next, add the cooked pancetta back into the pan, mixing them in with the other ingredients. That’s it! This whole process takes about 20 minutes. ( even less if you can find the bagged, pre-washed and halved brussel sprouts!) This side dish goes great with just about any meal and it is packed with vitamins C & k and is a good source of minerals. Let me know what you think :). I’ve put step by step videos of me making this Brussel sprouts recipe on my food instagram page, @PureJoyFoodie for you to follow along, if you like!