Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Dates
Brussels Sprouts make a delicious dinner date! Roasted with sticky sweet dates, salty, thick cut oven baked bacon, and a dash of salt.
Equipment
- parring knife
- cutting board
- 2 glass pie dishes or other oven safe dishes second is optional
- baking sheet with sides if not using a glass pie dish for the bacon
- foil for the pan if not using a glass pie dish for the bacon
- paper towels and plate (drain the cooked bacon)
Ingredients
- 9 ounces fresh Brussels sprouts
- 6 ounces raw bacon (3 slices thick sliced bacon)
- 2-3 ounces dried dates (3-4 dates)
- 3-4 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat. Preheat the oven to 425 °F.
- Bacon. Place the bacon strips in an oven safe glass dish, or on a foil lined baking sheet with sides. Bake on the middle rack for 20-25 minutes until the bacon is cooked through and to your preferred level of crisp. You may need to flip them once or it may take less cook time which will vary depending on your oven, number of bacon slices, and the thickness of the bacon.** Prepare the Brussels sprouts so they are cooking at the same time as the bacon. **6 ounces raw bacon (3 slices thick sliced bacon)
- Brussels Sprouts. If not already washed, give your sprouts a rinse and pat them dry. Slice off the very ends and quarter each sprout lengthwise. Place the sprouts in another pie dish.9 ounces fresh Brussels sprouts
- Dates. Natures candy... oh my goodness, so true. Slice open each date and remove the pit if it is still in the date. Then, slice each into small strips, then into small pieces. The dates will be sticky, so do your best. Add the dates to the sprouts.2-3 ounces dried dates (3-4 dates)
- Olive Oil. Pour olive oil over the sprouts and dates.3-4 Tablespoons olive oil
- Seasoning. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the sprouts and dates. Give everything a good mix to coating. I prefer to use my hands. The oil will make the dates less sticky. Break them apart if the pieces are clumping. Spread the sprouts and dates into an even layer in the dish.1/2 teaspoon sea salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Roast. Place the pie dish on the middle rack in the oven. If the bacon isn't done, you'll have both dishes in the oven at 425 °F. Start the timer for the Brussels sprouts and cook for 30-35 minutes.
- Bacon. Once the bacon is done, place the slices on a paper towel lined plate for a few minutes to drain off the excess grease and cool the bacon enough that you can handle the pieces. Then, cut or crumble the bacon into small pieces the size of the dates. Place the bacon with the sprouts, toss, and finish the Brussels sprout cook time.Note: 25 minutes will make the sprouts tender, but still with a bit of soft crunch. I don't like mushy sprouts. If you like yours a little more tender, continue to cook for 5-10 minutes more for a total of 30-35 minutes.
- Enjoy! Serve immediately. And yes... you can eat the lemons!