Grilled Brussels Sprouts

 Once upon a time, I was a child.  I spoke like a child, thought like a child, and hated brussels sprouts like a child.  But when I became an adult…

…I realized that bacon and char make things DELICIOUS. :D

So, when brussels sprouts were on sale last week, and the “best brussels sprouts” recipe appeared on Pinterest,  I took it as a sign from the Almighty, bit the bullet, and bought a package of the tiny, fear-inducing cabbages.

And why shouldn’t I?  I mean, I’m a big girl now…I can face the horrors and disdain that are so synonymous with these miniature sprouts, which are packed full of vitamins and fiber and all sorts of goodness.  Plus…they’re so cute!  Right?

…but they need improvement.  *looks at pic* *Gulp*  SERIOUS improvement.

 

Ingredients:

12 sprouts

1 tablespoon bacon grease (you can use olive oil if you’re morally opposed to bacon grease, but there’s SO much more flavor in the grease, and it’s the same # of calories)

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp cracked black pepper

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp celery salt

1 tsp lemon juice

1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

 

Directions:

1. Rinse the sprouts well, trim back the cut ends, and peel away any withered leaves.  Score the bottoms—one cut across is fine.

2. Place sprouts into boiling, salted water for 5 minutes, tops.  We’re just blanching these bad boys.  Any more than 5 minutes & they’ll get mushy & gross.

3. Drain, then place the sprouts in a small bowl with the bacon grease, lemon juice, and seasonings.  Toss to coat.

4. Place the sprouts on the top rack of your grill (pre-heated), and turn them every 4 minutes, for a total of 12 minutes.

(Note: You’ll get the recipe for the chicken down on that bottom rack later this week.) 

5. Remove from the grill, and sprinkle with the Parm.

6. DEVOUR. Even kids might delve into these, if you hide them amongst other grilled items (we had grilled chicken and corn on the cob accompanying.)

NutriFacts: (Makes 2 servings of 6 sprouts each—divide as appropriate if you only eat 3-4 as part of a more diverse meal)

Calories 105.2

  Total Fat 5.4 g

  Saturated Fat 2.2 g

  Polyunsaturated Fat 0.7 g

  Monounsaturated Fat 2.2 g

  Cholesterol 6.1 mg

  Sodium 663.6 mg

  Potassium 469.2 mg

  Total Carbohydrate 11.8 g

  Dietary Fiber 4.6 g

  Sugars 2.9 g

  Protein 5.1 g