Caramelized Brussels Sprouts

I usually make Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts, but I wanted to try something different this time.  Thanks to Pinterest, I found this recipe - the combination of pecans, garlic, and brown sugar might sound a bit odd, but it works.  In fact, it works so well that my vegetable hating picky eater helped himself to 3 servings.  Use the feed tube of a food processor to quickly slice the sprouts into ribbons - once you have that done, the dish is complete in less than 10 minutes.  Don't let my horrible nighttime photo scare you away - give this one a try!

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• mini mandolin slicer https://amzn.to/2W6N1BW

• food processor https://amzn.to/2Vzhd91

• 12-inch cast iron skillet https://amzn.to/2VBQVDl

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Caramelized Brussels Sprouts

makes 4 servings

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 12-14 large Brussels sprouts

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• pinch sea salt

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• 1/4 cup roughly chopped pecans or walnuts, toasted

Directions

1. Using a hand held mandolin or food processor, shredded the Brussels sprout very thin..

2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and saute garlic for 30-60 seconds.

3. Add the Brussels sprouts and salt; saute for another 5-6 minutes until the sprouts are bright green and tender.

4. Add the brown sugar and pecans: stir together well and serve immediately.

adapted from Eat, Live, Run

Amazing Caramelized Onion and Bacon Dip

Wow, this is an amazing homemade onion dip. Mmm, mmm, mmm.  This recipe by Lucinda Scala Quinn is a winner!  Bacon, bacon fat, 3 pounds of onions that are slowly caramelized... no wonder it's so good!  Aside from the time it takes to caramelize the onions, which you could easily do ahead of time, the recipe is a snap to put together.  It makes a ton - great if you're feeding a crowd over to watch the big game, but I'd suggest cutting the recipe in half for a smaller crowd.  Leftover dip makes an excellent sandwich spread.  Make this dip!!

Caramelized Onion and Bacon Dip

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 6 strips of bacon, chopped into bits

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

• 3 pounds yellow onions, diced

• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt

• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar (I used seasoned rice wine vinegar)

• 1 1/2 cups real mayonnaise

• 1 cup sour cream

• 1/4 cup mild flavored vegetable oil (canola works well)

• 3 shallots, sliced thinly into rings

Directions

1. In a large skillet over medium high heat, cook bacon until brown and crispy; remove from pan and reserve; saving the rendered fat.

2. Add the olive oil to the rendered bacon fat, then add onions and salt; reduce heat to low and slowly caramelize onions, stirring frequently, until deep golden brown (this can take up to an hour).

3. Remove onions from pan and allow to cool.

4. In the same skillet over medium heat, cook the sliced shallots in 1/4 cup mild flavored oil until they're caramelized; stirring frequently (add a little more oil if needed); reserve for garnish.

5. In a large bowl, whisk together the mayo, sour cream, and vinegar (definitely don't skip the vinegar - it elevates the flavor of this dip from so-so to phenomenal).

6. Stir in the cooled onions and bacon.

7. Garnish and serve. Refrigerate leftovers (great spread for sandwiches). Enjoy!

adapted from Mad Hungry by Lucinda Scala Quinn