My children are not fond of brussels sprouts. Not at all. They find it gross. Very very gross. But they do love this recipe for brussels sprouts mash with bacon and apple.
My children are not fond of brussels sprouts. Not at all. They find them gross. Very, very gross. Still, I want them to learn to enjoy different foods, so I adapt dishes so vegetables are more approachable. With small changes and a pleasant presentation, they gradually accept new flavours — even sprouts. Now they happily eat Brussels sprouts mash (though they insist, “but we don’t eat Brussels sprouts, hey mom!”).
Today I’m sharing my family’s favourite: Brussels sprouts mash with bacon and apple. It softens the sprouts’ flavor, adds sweet and salty contrasts, and even picky eaters will ask for seconds.
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Andréa
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Step-by-Step Directions
Ingredients
- 1 kilo potatoes, floury
- 500 grams Brussels sprouts
- salt and pepper
- 2 apples
- 3 teaspoons dark brown sugar
- 50 grams walnuts
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 100 ml cream
- 250 grams bacon bits
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Instructions
- Fill a large pan with about 2 inches (3 cm) of water and add a teaspoon of salt.
- Peel the potatoes, wash and quarter them, then add to the pan.
- Trim the sprouts, remove any loose outer leaves and halve large ones.
- Wash the sprouts and place them on top of the potatoes in the pan.
- Bring to a boil and simmer for about 20 minutes, until the potatoes are tender.
- Meanwhile, fry the bacon until crisp in a frying pan.
- Remove the bacon and drain on paper towel.
- Peel and core the apples, then cut each horizontally into 8 slices.
- Sprinkle the apple slices with brown sugar and quickly fry them in the remaining bacon fat — about 1 minute per side — until caramelized. Remove and let rest.
- Chop the walnuts and toast them briefly in a dry pan until fragrant; turn off the heat once they smell nutty to avoid burning.
- Drain the potatoes and sprouts, then mash them together.
- Heat the cream with the butter, then stir into the mash until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Fold in the toasted walnuts and crispy bacon, reserving a little for garnish.
- Serve the mash on plates and top with the caramelized apple slices. Garnish with remaining bacon and walnuts.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 30g
Protein: 15g
Fat: 48g
Saturated Fat: 19g
Cholesterol: 91mg
Sodium: 506mg
Fiber: 8g
Sugar: 15g
Vitamin A: 1557IU
Vitamin C: 110mg
Iron: 2mg
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