Bring out the natural sweetness in these Brussels Sprouts by searing, then roasting. The thyme, garlic and pancetta add a savory depth and a squeeze of lemon adds some brightness. The best part? This simple side dish is only 6 ingredients and can be done in one pan! This is a great side dish that goes with just about anything.
Estimated Time 45 minutesminutes
Servings 6Servings
Here's What You Need
1poundbrussels sprouts
6ouncespancetta - diced, not sliced
2clovesgarlic - chopped
½teaspoondry thyme leaves
¼cupChicken Stock
1tablespoonfresh lemon juice
Kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste
Here's What You Do
Trim the end off the Brussels sprouts, remove outer leaves and slice in half length-wise.
Rinse Brussels in a colander and set aside.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Add the diced pancetta to a cold cast iron pan (or other heavy bottom-oven safe pan).
Turn the heat to medium high under the pan and sauté the pancetta to render out the fat.
Once the pancetta has rendered, remove it (but leave the fat) from the pan and set aside to drain on a paper towel, reserve for to use later.
Add the chopped garlic and stir in the pancetta fat for about a minute.
Add the Brussels sprouts to the pancetta fat and sauté over medium high heat until starting to brown on the edges, about five minutes.
Add the thyme, salt and pepper and chicken stock and mix well.
Continue to sauté for about 5 minutes over medium high heat while the stock reduces slightly.
Place the cast iron pan in the 425 degree oven and roast for about 10 minutes or until Brussels sprouts are tender but firm when probed with a toothpick. You do not want them soft, just barely tender.
Remove from the oven and add back the fried pancetta and squeeze some lemon juice over the brussels sprouts. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed. Mix well and serve.
Notes
Pancetta can be fairly salty, so you should only salt it slightly at first. Taste at the end and add more salt if desired.Make sure to get the diced pancetta. The thinly sliced pancetta may scorch in a hot oven.Pancetta is similar to bacon in that it is made from cured pork belly, but it is not smoked as bacon is. Bacon is a good substitute for pancetta in this dish, but the flavor profile may be altered slightly depending on how the bacon was smoked. Other substitutes-prosciutto and Canadian bacon! I’m betting that it will still be delicious.It is best to prepare this in a cast iron skillet because it can go from the stove top to the oven. If you don't have a cast iron skillet, use a heavy bottom, oven safe skillet. If you have neither, after sauteing the brussels sprouts in the herbs and stock, place them in a prepared, heavy backing sheet for the oven.