SHAVED BRUSSEL SPROUTS??? Who knew???

OK, I am typically NOT a fan of brussels sprouts. My Mom loves them and growing up, the smell of her steaming them made me GAG, so eating them was absolutely out of the question! Sorry Mom! I know you say I was always “over dramatic”, but you have to admit that they did stink up the house!

I’ve heard it’s a sign of age when our tastes start to change..Ugh…and it must be somewhat true because when I saw these “Shaved Brussels Sprouts” on a recent Trader Joe’s tour, I started thinking about way they might actually taste half way decent. Hmmm…what could we do with these little devils to make them not-so-stinky, but rather tasty?  They are already cleaned and chopped..what could I mix with them to make them actually taste good???? My mind raced, and then it came to me.

What makes everything taste better? You guessed it…..BACON! So here’s what I came up with and it is quite a delectable, unique side dish, if I do say so myself!

Just TWO Tablespoons of Hormel Real Bacon Bits adds a ton of flavor!   Think of the possibilities!  Also pictured….Blueberry Balsamic Vinegar from downtown Geneva’s gourmet Olive Oil Store, THE OLIVE MILL. YUM! Myself, I eat so much lettuce, broccoli and squash, that this is a welcome change of pace! Let me know if you like it!

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

1 bag of shredded Brussels sprouts (the only place I’ve been able to find them is Trader Joe’s)

2 Tablespoons of Hormel Real Bacon Bits

1/4 Cup of balsamic vinegar (I used Blueberry, but any flavor would be good)

Spray a cookie sheet (the kind with sides that you use for making cookie bars. Mine’s a stone one from Pampered Chef, but I doubt it matters what kind you use, does it?) with olive oil Pam or other nonfat cooking spray. Preheat oven to 400*.

Dump bag of sprouts on the cookie sheet, then generously pour balsamic over evenly and toss. Sprinkle with bacon bits and any seasonings you might like. I simply used sea salt. Roast in the oven for approximately ten minutes. Check on it regularly, because you don’t want to over cook it unless you like the flavor of ASH!

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do! Don’t forget to email me with any of your ideas that I can use for myself as well as share on the blog. “It takes a village”! ~Terra