Roasted Brussels with Cranberry and Bacon

Roasted Brussels with Cranberry and Bacon

Ingredients:

• pound Brussels sprouts, tips cut off, discolored leaves removed and sliced in half (smaller sprouts are better than large sprouts)
• 1 lb cooked bacon
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt
• ⅔ cup fresh cranberries (or ⅓ cup dried cranberries)
• ⅓ cup crumbled Gorgonzola or goat cheese
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup, or more to taste
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, or more to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat your broiler.
2. Set a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat on the stove. Let it heat up for two to three minutes. It should be so hot that a few drops of water sizzle and quickly disappear after contact.
3. In a medium sized bowl, toss the prepared Brussels sprouts with olive oil and salt. Toss well, so that the sprouts are evenly coated in a thin layer of oil.
4. Once the pan is hot, dump the sprouts into the pan and quickly rearrange them so the flat sides are face down. Let them cook for two minutes.
5. Toss the fresh cranberries into the pan and transfer the pan to your broiler. The pan will be heavy and hot so use oven mitts and be careful! Let the Brussels broil for about three minutes. Check the sprouts for doneness—their tops should be a little browned and the bottoms caramelized. The cranberries should have started popping by now; set the hot pan on your stovetop for a couple of minutes.
6. Toss the bacon, sprouts, cranberries, and cheese in a bowl and drizzle with balsamic vinegar and maple syrup. Season with salt, divide into smaller bowls, and enjoy!