Quick Fix!! Sauteed Brussels Sprouts

I have decided on a new blog feature that I am calling Quick Fixes. These are basically meals that you can prepare quickly (hence the name) and require minimal ingredients. So, try to hang on to those New Year's Resolutions a little longer because I have a yummy and healthy treat for you!

Now, before you turn your nose up at Brussels sprouts, let me assure you that these will rock your world (yea I said it)! I had a few friends over for dinner and I served these. One had never eaten Brussels sprouts before that night and she was asking if she could take some home with her. Trust me when I tell you that you will want to start making these every week.

Ingredients

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup diced onions OR shallots
1 tablespoon of minced garlic
1 cup of diced bacon (good quality turkey or pork)
2 pounds of Brussels sprouts, rough chopped or shredded (some stores already sell them chopped or shredded)
Kosher salt and ground pepper

Directions

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onions/shallots and garlic, and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the bacon and cook for another 5-6 minutes (the bacon will start to brown). Add the Brussels sprouts and mix all the ingredients together well by folding all the ingredients on top of each other. Season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring frequently, until caramelized, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add 1/3 cup water and cook until evaporated, about 2 minutes. Serve immediately.

 

 

Salud!

The Dedication

I think it is important to tell you all about the woman that sparked and fostered my love for cooking. Before there were blogs or Food Network, my Bubbie (my late grandmother) was my first culinary instructor. Cooking, for my Bubbie (and subsequently me), was not just about putting ingredients together to create something. She showed me that cooking is an expression of the soul. And preparing food was not something you did lightly. You prepared food for your loved ones and the care you took in preparing the food was a true reflection of that love.

My family and I laid this magnificent woman to rest one month ago. She lived a full life and she was loved by countless people. I miss her so much but I am learning to find comfort in the memories we shared.

The month of December was extremely demanding for me so I have not been able to cook much nor have I had time to post. Things are finally starting to settle down in my life so the first thing on my mind this morning was cooking some food for the week. This morning as I started to put a few things in my crock pot (turkey necks to season the water for a stew) I had a moment where I reached for my phone to call her to get her opinion about something. And I realized, that she would not pick up if I dialed her number. I paused for a minute, thought about what she was say, and continued to prepare my meal. My family has started calling me Little Bubbie, which is an honor I sincerely hope to uphold.

All that being said, I decided to dedicate my blog to my Bubbie because without her I would not be as passionate about cooking as I am today.

Hope your year is off to a great start! I have some exciting dishes and cooking adventures planned for 2013! Salud!