Ah, Brussels sprouts—those tiny green orbs that somehow divide dinner tables everywhere. Some love them; others, well, not so much.
But when you smother them in cheese and sprinkle in crispy bacon, they transform into something magical. It’s like winter comfort food meets gourmet indulgence.
I swear, this cheesy gratin will make even the pickiest of eaters reconsider their stance. Who knew Brussels sprouts could be the star of the show?
Steps
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Boil a large pot of lightly salted water and cook the Brussels sprouts for about 8 minutes until tender. Drain them and quickly cool in ice water, then drain again and cut into halves or quarters.
- While the Brussels sprouts are cooling, cook bacon pieces in a skillet over medium-high heat until they are lightly browned, around 5 minutes. Lower the heat, add the Brussels sprouts, season with salt and pepper, and toss everything together for a minute.
- Transfer the bacon and Brussels sprouts mixture to the prepared baking dish. Pour heavy cream over them, then add a layer of breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. Dot the top with small pieces of butter.
- Bake in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes until the top is golden brown and the dish is thoroughly heated.
Ingredients
- 1 pound of Brussels sprouts, cleaned and trimmed
- 2 slices of bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
- Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup of heavy cream
- 1/4 cup of breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons of butter, cut into small pieces
Nutritional Values
Calories: 1248 | Total Fat: 100g | Saturated Fat: 56g | Cholesterol: 280mg | Sodium: 2500mg | Total Carbohydrate: 64g | Dietary Fiber: 12g | Total Sugars: 4g | Protein: 32g | Vitamin C: 284mg | Calcium: 524mg | Iron: 8mg | Potassium: 1728mg
FAQ
- Can I prepare Brussels Sprouts Gratin ahead of time?
- Yes, you can prepare the dish ahead of time by following all the steps up until baking. Once assembled, cover and refrigerate the dish. When you’re ready to serve, simply bake it in the preheated oven until it is golden brown and thoroughly heated.
- What can I use as a substitute for heavy cream?
- If you prefer a lighter option, you can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or a mixture of milk and a tablespoon of flour to achieve a similar creamy texture.
- How can I make this dish vegetarian?
- To make this gratin vegetarian, simply omit the bacon or substitute it with a plant-based bacon alternative. You might also consider adding extra seasoning to maintain the flavor depth.
- Is it possible to make this dish gluten-free?
- Yes, you can make the dish gluten-free by using gluten-free bread crumbs instead of regular ones. Ensure all other ingredients, like the Parmesan cheese, are also certified gluten-free.
- Can I use frozen Brussels sprouts instead of fresh ones?
- While fresh Brussels sprouts are recommended for the best texture, you can use frozen ones. Make sure to thaw and drain them thoroughly before cooking to prevent excess moisture in the dish.
Tips
- To ensure the Brussels sprouts are perfectly tender, boil them just until tender and then quickly plunge them into ice water. This stops the cooking process and helps maintain their vibrant color.
- When cooking the bacon, aim for a texture that is lightly browned and slightly limp. This will allow the bacon to continue to crisp up in the oven without becoming too crunchy.
- For a more even distribution of flavor, toss the Brussels sprouts in the skillet with the bacon and seasonings for about a minute before transferring them to the baking dish.
Equipment
- Baking dish
- Large deep skillet
- Colander
