{Thanksgiving Potluck} Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts

It’s that time of the year again! Thanksgiving Potluck is back and this year we have five new fabulous bloggers to share their savory and scrumptious Thanksgiving dishes with us. So…welcome to our 2nd Annual Haute Apple Pie Thanksgiving Potluck table, we can’t wait for you to dig in!

Sharing our first side dish is Gina of The Tastetress and founder of food focused company, Starting From Scratch. Sometimes brussel sprouts get the short end of the stick, but Gina is here to tempt us with a maple bacon version that even the most finicky of eaters will devour! So let’s learn a little bit more about Gina and the lovely dish she prepared:

Favorite Thanksgiving dish and/or tradition: My favorite dish & tradition at Thanksgiving has & always will be…THE BIRD!  I love Turkey more than most, and so does my family, so much that we always make 2 Birds to ensure we have plenty of leftovers to share!  Of course the day of the Turkey is delicious, but there’s nothing I anticipate more than the late night Turkey Sandwich I make …thick sliced white bread, creamy mayo, crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and you can not forget the sides….potato chips & a few dill pickles!  Can’t wait!

Apple Pie or Pumpkin Pie? You may as well be asking me to choose a favorite child!  I am and always will be a Pie Girl, in fact, you can keep your Birthday Cake & put my candle in a pie!  Apple Pie a la mode, sweet & creamy Pumpkin Pie…I’ll take one of each & take my chances on a stomach ache.

Cooking Mantra: My mantra is and always….Don’t be scared to Start from Scratch!

What are you most thankful for this year? This year I am most thankful for family.  I just got married to the love of my life this summer, and I must say it has been a year of excitement.  I am thrilled to learn & share new traditions with his wonderful family, as well as start our own.  We have a lot of love to give & are excited for the next step…our own family!  Have a blessed Holiday Season everyone, hope you enjoy my recipe!!

Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts

Something about nearing Thanksgiving always makes me crave the best flavors of fall…and there is nothing I enjoy more than a big bowl of Brussel Sprouts! These pretty little green veggies have made their way to being the next best thing to Broccoli, and I have a recipe that even the pickiest eaters can’t help themselves but be interested in. Once your guests have a bite of these sweet & savory sprouts, they’ll be ready to make a bee line for the brussels every time!

2 lbs. Brussel Sprouts
4 Slices of Thick Cut Bacon
2 TBS Grade A Maple Syrup
1 TBS Melted Unsalted Butter
1 TBS Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Black Pepper

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.

Start by cleaning your brussel sprouts & slicing a small amount off the ends. Be sure to dry them off well and put aside while you prepare the rest of your ingredients. Slice your bacon into 1/4 inch thick lardons and set aside as well. Next in a small bowl melt your butter, and then add your olive oil, maple syrup, salt & pepper before whisking together. In a large bowl toss your brussel sprouts with the bacon & the remainder of your ingredients from the small bowl.

Line a large sheet pan with heavy-duty foil to save yourself the trouble of scrubbing yet another pan, and carefully spread out your brussel sprout mixture & put them in the oven.

Be sure to check your sprouts after 20 minutes to see how they’re doing & give them a toss, this will assure they cook evenly & don’t get too brown on one side. Depending on the size of your sprouts and the heat of your oven, they take about 30-45 minutes to cook through, create a syrupy coating, as well as get that bacon crisp & candy like. Serve warm with your TDAY spread & be sure to save yourself a little seconds, because sprouts like this don’t last for long! Happy Holidays Haute Apple Pie, ENJOY!