Butter-bronzed brussels sprouts and bacon

Ingredients

• 8 slices plain or maplebacon, cut into small strips (kind of like bacon bits)
• cup butter
• 1 lbs brusselssprouts, outer leaves removed, washed, and cut in half
• bulb garlic, coarsely chopped or sliced
• cup Pecans, coarsely chopped
• Roasted, peeled chestnuts (optional)
• Black pepper & salt to taste

Method

1. If you have a cast iron panthis is a great time to use it. Over medium heat, render bacon, and butter.
2. As bacon begins to crisp, add in the brussels sprouts. Toss the sprouts with the fat, and add a pinch or two of freshly cracked pepper.
3. The sprouts are meant to caramelize, and take on some bronzed colour- this is what makes this dish tasty.
4. As the brussels sprouts begin to colour, and tenderize, add in the garlic, and the pecans. Continue cooking until the sprouts are tender, the process should take 15-20 minutes in all.
5. If you want to add in the chestnuts you can add them with about three minutes left in the cooking time, just to give them a little warmth.
6. Check for seasoning. Daniel saidshefinds the bacon provides all the necessary salt to season this dish, but use your taste buds to determine this for yourself.