Brussels Sprouts: Awful or Tolerable

Within the past few months I have seen quite a few recipes for Brussels sprouts, it's like their the new trendy thing- think pomegranates, sun dried tomatoes, and anything with olive oil. Okay maybe they arent that popular, but they seem to be getting a better reputation these days. We had Brussels sprouts as a kid and they were not delicious- in face they were gross mini cabbages that smelled like farts- just bein' honest. My parents cooked them a healthy way, because let's face it veggies are supposed to be somewhat good for you. I thought it was time to give them another chance, plus Brian had never had them so he didnt have a reason to dislike them.

The first time I made them I put them under chicken while it was roasting (think about how you cook a pot roast with potatoes and carrots under it). The chicken flavored the sprouts and they were pretty good, tender, flavorful, and totally missing the fart smell I remembered.

One thing I have learned from this is that the smaller the sprouts are the better they taste, keep that random tidbit in mind. Oh and cooking too long results in you guessed it... the fart smell. (how many times can I say that in one post?)

Yesterday I decided to try something else. I saw a recipe that involved bacon, onions, Brussels sprouts, and just a tiny bit of you guessed it butter. It was great. Brian had seconds... on a vegetable, granted the vegetable was cooked in bacon greased and had butter on top... but still.

Yummy Braised Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Onion

1 lb Brussels sprouts cut in half

1/2 c. water

1 T. unsalted butter

2 pieces of bacon (uncooked) chopped fine

1/2 onion sliced thin

Cook bacon and onion in saute pan until bacon is crisp (but not burnt) and onion is translucent. Remove mixture from pan and set aside- do NOT clean the pan. Place sprouts in pan, stir to coat with bacon grease (no really, actually do this) add water, cover, and cook on medium heat until tender (5-7 minutes). Remove from pan, add bacon mixture and 1 T. butter and serve. Yes all the unhealthy stuff make Brussels sprouts delicious.