Roasted Bacon Brussels Sprouts

Take a moment to let that picture above really sink in. 

Brussels sprouts, delicious, roasted cruciferous vegetables filled with vitamins, minerals, and fiber---smothered in a generous covering of smoky, tasty, scrumptious bacon.  This paleo-friendly Thanksgiving recipe isn't too good to be true though. It's real, and it's really good. Now, wipe your drool, shove your tongue back into your mouth and read on for the recipe. 

Let's face it, Thanksgiving has a tendency to be a carb-fest nightmare of astronomical proportions. Pie crust, dinner rolls, mouth-watering mashed potatoes, more rolls, more pie crust, sugar-sugar-sugar. It's important then to find a way to make sure that the vegetables on offer are tempting enough to make it onto your plate. You could try this Root Vegetable Mash recipe, or, may I present: Roasted Bacon Brussels Sprouts.  All the health of the sprouts, roasted in the oven with a little bacon (PROTEIN, you guys!) served up on the Thanksgiving table to add a little variety to your plate of carbs. It's Paleo-friendly, easy to make, and a perfect new holiday tradition. 

Roasted Bacon Brussels Sprouts:

Gather:

• 1½ pounds Brussels sprouts
• 2-3 tablespoons melted coconut oil or coconut butter
• Kosher salt and pepper
• 4 bacon slices, diced
• Aged balsamic vinegar

Method:

Preheat oven to 400F

Trim the ends of the Brussels Sprouts, cutting off brown pieces. Then cut sprouts in half. 

Toss sprouts with melted coconut oil or coconut butter

Scatter sprouts evenly onto a foil lined baking sheet, making sure to keep them in one even layer. 

Sprinkle the diced bacon over and around the sprouts

Place the baking sheet in the oven for 30-35 minutes--stopping to flip the sprouts and bacon every 10 minutes to cook evenly.

Remove from oven and drizzle with balsamic vinegar. 

Voíla! The perfect side dish (PLUS BACON) for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Thursday night, Sunday Morning, Midnight Snack, Whatever. 

Check back next week for another Thanksgiving Healthy Recipe Hack to save your diet.