Brussels sprouts have a bad reputation for being bitter and unappetizing, but with the right recipe, they can be transformed into a delicious and savory side dish.
One popular method is to pair them with bacon, which adds a smoky flavor and helps to balance out the bitterness. Jamie Oliver, a well-known chef, has his own take on this classic combination, using a few unexpected ingredients to create the “Best-ever Brussels sprouts.”
In this article, we’ll explore Jamie Oliver’s recipe and show you how to cook Brussels sprouts with bacon like a pro. Get ready to impress your dinner guests with this simple yet flavorful dish!
How To Cook Brussel Sprouts With Bacon Jamie Oliver?
To start, you’ll need 500g of Brussels sprouts, which you’ll thinly slice using a food processor. This is a time-saving step that makes the cooking process much quicker.
Next, fry four rashers of quality smoked streaky bacon in a large pan on medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and pour out most of the bacon fat, leaving just enough to cook the onions.
Add the onions to the pan and cook for one minute before adding the sliced Brussels sprouts, two sprigs of sage (leaves picked), sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
Now it’s time to add some liquid to the pan. Pour in two tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce and two cloves of minced garlic. Stir everything together and let it cook for five minutes.
Finally, add the crispy bacon back into the pan and cook for another three minutes or until you’re happy with the texture of the Brussels sprouts.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make this delicious Brussels sprouts with bacon recipe inspired by Jamie Oliver, you’ll need a few key ingredients. First and foremost, you’ll need 500g of Brussels sprouts, which you’ll thinly slice using a food processor.
Next, you’ll need four rashers of quality smoked streaky bacon, which you’ll fry in a large pan until crispy. You’ll also need a large knob of butter, two sprigs of sage (leaves picked), sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
To add some extra flavor to the dish, you’ll need two tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce and two cloves of minced garlic. These ingredients will give the Brussels sprouts a savory kick that pairs perfectly with the bacon.
Preparing The Brussels Sprouts
Before you start cooking, it’s important to prepare the Brussels sprouts correctly. Begin by washing them thoroughly and removing any outer leaves that are yellow or damaged. Then, using a food processor, thinly slice the Brussels sprouts to save time during cooking.
Once you have your sliced Brussels sprouts ready, it’s time to cook them with bacon and other flavorful ingredients. By following Jamie Oliver’s recipe, you can create a delicious and savory dish that will change your mind about Brussels sprouts.
Remember to season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the flavor of the dish. You can also add other ingredients like onions, garlic, or even apples and sausage as Jamie Oliver suggests in his recipe.
Cooking The Bacon
To cook the bacon for this recipe, start by cutting six rashers of higher-welfare smoked streaky bacon into small pieces. Heat a large non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat and drizzle in half a tablespoon of oil.
Once the oil is hot, add the bacon pieces to the pan and fry them for about two minutes or until they turn golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon from the pan and set it aside on a plate.
It’s important to note that you don’t want to cook the bacon until it’s too crispy, as it will continue to cook when you add it back into the pan later on. Leaving some fat in the pan will also add flavor to the dish, so don’t pour it all out.
By cooking the bacon first, you’ll infuse the pan with its smoky flavor, which will then be absorbed by the Brussels sprouts as they cook. This step is crucial in making sure that your Brussels sprouts turn out delicious and flavorful.
Combining The Ingredients
When combining the ingredients for this recipe, it’s important to follow the steps in order to ensure that the Brussels sprouts are cooked to perfection. First, make sure to thinly slice the Brussels sprouts using a food processor. This will save you time and make the cooking process much quicker.
Next, fry the smoked streaky bacon until crispy and remove it from the pan. Pour out most of the bacon fat, leaving just enough to cook the onions. Cook the onions for one minute before adding the sliced Brussels sprouts, sage, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir everything together well.
Now it’s time to add some liquid to the pan. Pour in two tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce and minced garlic. Stir everything together and let it cook for five minutes.
Finally, add the crispy bacon back into the pan and cook for another three minutes or until you’re happy with the texture of the Brussels sprouts. By following these steps and combining the ingredients in this order, you’ll have a delicious and savory dish that will change your opinion on Brussels sprouts forever.
Adding The Secret Ingredients
The real secret to making Jamie Oliver’s Best-ever Brussels sprouts lies in the addition of two key ingredients: apples and Worcestershire sauce. The apples add a touch of sweetness that perfectly balances out the bitterness of the Brussels sprouts, while the Worcestershire sauce adds a savory kick that takes the dish to the next level.
Worcestershire sauce is made from a combination of several ingredients, including molasses and sugar for sweetness, anchovies for saltiness, tamarind and vinegar for sourness, and spices like cloves, celery seed, and chili pepper extract for a spicy kick. When added to the Brussels sprouts, it creates a natural umami flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dish.
By adding these secret ingredients to your Brussels sprouts with bacon recipe, you can transform this once-unpopular vegetable into a delicious and flavorful side dish that everyone will love. So next time you’re looking for a way to spice up your Brussels sprouts, try Jamie Oliver’s recipe and add in some apples and Worcestershire sauce for a truly unforgettable flavor experience.
Serving And Enjoying The Dish
Once your Brussels sprouts with bacon are cooked to perfection, it’s time to serve and enjoy them. This dish is perfect as a side dish or as a main course.
You can serve it hot right out of the pan or let it cool down to room temperature. The dish reheats well, but note that it will lose its bright green color.
To add some extra flavor and texture, you can sprinkle some freshly grated Parmesan cheese or vegetarian hard cheese on top of the dish. Another option is to squeeze some lemon juice on top of the Brussels sprouts to add a tangy flavor.
Pair this dish with a glass of white wine or a cold beer and enjoy the savory flavors of the bacon, onions, and Worcestershire sauce combined with the tender texture of the thinly sliced Brussels sprouts. This recipe is sure to change your mind about Brussels sprouts and make them a staple in your kitchen.