Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Hazelnuts

Ingredients

• 5 slices Bacon, Diced
• 2 Tablespoons Red Onion, Diced
• 2 pounds Fresh Brussels Sprouts, Stems Trimmed Off Then Thinly Sliced
• Salt And Pepper
• ½ cups Hazelnuts, Roughly Chopped
• 2 teaspoons Maple Syrup, Optional, See Note

Preparation Instructions

Heat a large saute pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook until browned and crisp. Then add the onions and cook 2-3 minutes more or until softened. Transfer the bacon and onions to a paper-towel lined plate to drain, reserving the bacon fat in the pan.

Take the slices of Brussels sprouts and, using your fingers, separate the layers into shreds.

Place the Brussels sprouts shreds into the hot pan with the bacon fat. Season with salt and pepper. Stirring frequently, cook the Brussels sprouts until they are crisp-tender and bright green, 5-10 minutes. In the last 3 minutes of cooking, add the bacon, onions and hazelnuts to the pan, tossing to combine. Taste to adjust seasoning. Serve promptly.

Note: If you prefer a little sweetness with your Brussels sprouts, a couple of teaspoons of maple syrup would be a lovely addition toward the end of cooking.

Adapted from the Thanksgiving Table by Diane Morgan.