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Warm Brussels Sprouts Salad with Bacon

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 I love brussels sprouts and cook with them often. Growing up I despised this vegetable, but the only way they had been presented to me was boiled and without any seasoning. Now, we pretty much see them on every menu when we go out to eat. They are definitely trendy...well as trendy as veggies can be. However, whenever I eat them at restaurants I usually feel sick afterwards. They are typically fried in low-quality oils, and doused with heavy aiolis and cheese…and bacon. Yet, I still LOVE the smokey, salty bacon flavor with the brussels - they are a pretty perfect pairing. That’s why I decided to create my own “healthified’ version of one of my favorite side dishes - a warm Brussels sprouts salad with bacon.

Ingredients:

(serves 4)

  • 1 lb brussel sprouts, shredded or well chopped

  • ¾ cup walnuts

  • 1 shallot, finely diced

  • 3 pieces of bacon

For the dressing:

  • ¼ cup of good olive oil

  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

  • 1 tbsp dijon mustard

  • ½ tsp maple syrup

  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  • Toast walnuts in a large frying pan over medium heat for five minute or until they smell toasty. Remove from the pan and let cool. Then roughly chop and set aside.

  • Wipe pan and then cook bacon in the same pan over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from skillet, let drain on paper towels, then crumble.

  • After bacon is cooked, drain pan of all but 1 tbsp of bacon grease

  • Cook shallots with a pinch of salt over medium heat, stirring often, until tender and browned (about 3-5 minutes)

  • Add Brussels sprouts and cook, stirring often, for about 5-7 minutes or until tender. Add a splash of water or vegetable broth if needed.

  • Prepare dressing by whisking together all ingredients in a small bowl or jar.

  • In a serving bowl, combine brussel sprouts with dressing. Top with walnuts and bacon and serve.

Additional Notes:

  • If you don’t want to use bacon, eliminate that step and just add 1 tbsp olive oil to begin cooking shallots.

  • For a breakfast or lunch salad, top with a fried egg!

  • You can also use toasted hazelnuts or pecans - all are great options!

Health Benefits of Brussels Sprouts

  • They are high in antioxidants, which helps to reduce inflammation and fight oxidative stress

  • They are an excellent source of Vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting and healthy bone density

  • A half cup provides you with over 80% of your daily vitamin C needs!

  • They help with our body’s detoxification and digestive processes!


Sources and Additional Reading: