Gourmet Brussels Sprouts

We're starting a new experiment!

Aren't you excited??

Now that he's retired AND vaccinated, Wayne wants to help with the grocery shopping. Part of that includes trying new ingredients. And there's a system for selecting those new ingredients - start with the first item on the first aisle. We went to three stores and picked up three ingredients - Brussels sprouts, raisins, and 7-Up. Technically I guess those aren't "new" ingredients, but they are in forms we haven't purchased before. And I just think it's quite ironic that the first items in the stores are foods that we don't particularly care for! That's not going to stop us, and maybe we'll even find recipes that we actually like.

In between stores #2 and #3, I thought it would be fun to see if there was a recipe that used both ingredients, and I found one! I could have added the 7-Up to this recipe, but decided serving it in its proper form, as a beverage, at the same meal would work. It did. And we may just have this side dish again someday.

Gourmet Brussels Sprouts

• 2-3 slices bacon
• 12 ounces Brussels sprouts, washed, trimmed and halved
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/3 cup chicken broth
• 1/3 cup raisins
• 1-2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2-3 tablespoons coarsely chopped pecans

Cook the bacon in a frying pan, then remove and set aside, keeping bacon grease in the pan. Add the Brussels sprouts and sear on the cut side. Stir in the onion and garlic and saute for a few minutes. Add the chicken broth and raisins and simmer until tender. Stir in the balsamic vinegar and pecans. Serve garnished with crumbled bacon. Makes 3-4 servings.