I think it’s safe to say the season that shall not be named is officially upon us, don’t you think?
The neighborhood trees are embarrassingly bare, the grass sparkles with frost in the wee hours of morning (though that hasn’t stopped my Mom and me from our walks! I’m not sure if that makes us tough – or crazy…) and leaving the house without a heavy jacket is no longer an option.
While in the summertime I feel guilty about coming indoors before 9pm, in the season that shall not be named it’s pretty much all I can do to keep the blinds up, and yoga pants off before 5pm. Ok that sounded weird, but I think you know what I mean.
After pulling the cord, and slipping into something more comfortable, dinner is quickly made and devoured, then Ben and I hunker down for the night, the twinkling Christmas tree providing our only light. It’s usually only 7:00 by then, but I secretly wish we could just go to bed already. The dark makes me so sleepy!
I stay awake for my favorite shows though, and well, because it’d be weird if I went to bed at 7:00 every night. Ben and I watch an embarrassing amount of television in the season that shall not be named, when I’d rather do anything else in the world then go out into the cold night.
Between The Big Bang Theory, Real Housewives, Revolution, Real World Challenge, The Bachelor/ette (Sean’s back in January!) Teen Mom, Gossip Girl and NBC’s Thursday night done right – our DVR can hardly keep up! What are your can’t-miss shows?
Though we both have our faves, Ben and I always come together to watch Top Chef every week, and this year, the spinoff Life After Top Chef, where 4 past contestants are followed around to see what their life is like after being on the show. It’s awesome!
I won’t go into it, in case you don’t watch, but last week one of the chefs, Jen, was opening her popup restaurant and serving this cah-razy side dish of roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon, shallots, and cranberries. I literally shouted to Ben – WHHHHHHAT did she just say?! and rewound the DVR to make sure I had heard her right.
Roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon, shallots, and cranberries?! I HAD to have it! And so I did last night, with a few modifications. :)
First of all, I axed the cranberries. I know. I wanted to give it a try, I really did, but if Ben didn’t like ’em then the whole dish would be deemed inedible, and I’d have to eat an entire tray of bacon, cranberry, and shallot-laced roasted Brussels sprouts all by myself. Wait a minute…
SO, I tossed a pound of Brussels sprouts with a couple slices chopped thick-cut bacon, a sliced shallot, smashed garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roasted the bejeezus out of ’em in a piping hot oven. The result was OFF THE CHAIN. Hands down our new favorite way to eat brussies!
One cannot survive on Brussels sprouts, bacon, shallots, and garlic alone, (although one would have fun trying,) so I grilled marinated flank steaks for the main, and served a veggie-packed salad on the side. This was the best, cozy, hearty, flavor-packed winter dinner ever. There! I said it!
Start the Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Shallots, and Garlic first. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees then chop 2 strips thick-cut bacon and add ’em to a big bowl.
Next trim then cut 1lb Brussels sprouts in half. I cut the core off, then cut the sprout in half through the remaining core so as many leaves as possible stay on the sprout.
Pull off the outer leaves that are dead or dry, then add them to the bacon bowl. BACON BOWL!
Peel then slice 1 shallot into 1/4″ slices next.
Then add 4 smashed garlic cloves. These babies MAKE this dish. The roasted garlic flavor will fill your whole house with a mouthwatering scent.
Tip: To easily smash/peel garlic, give each clove a whack with the bottom of a heavy cup or mug. Not only will they smash beautifully, but the peel will slip right off too.
Season everything up with 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, and salt & pepper.
Then pour onto a foil-lined and non stick-sprayed baking sheet. Turn all the sprouts so they’re cut side down then try and get as much as the bacon and shallots to lay on top of the sprouts, so their flavors will permeate ’em while they roast for 20 minutes.
I can’t even handle this!!
When the sprouts went into the oven, I pulled a flank steak I’d been marinating for 30 minutes in the fridge out to rest at room temperature for 10 minutes. HERE’S THE MARINADE RECIPE I USED > I followed it exactly, except I only used 3 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar because that’s all I had on hand. I’d still keep it at 3 T though, as I could definitely taste it!
After coming to room temp for 10 minutes, which lets the meat cook more evenly, I seasoned both sides of the steak very well with salt and pepper, then grilled it on my Griddler. (<– great holiday gift idea!)
If you don’t have a Griddler, you can grill the steak outdoors, or pan sear. The trick with flank steak is that you want to cook it HOT and FAST. I turned my Griddler as hot as it would go and seared it for 3-4 minutes on each side for medium-rare/ok, rare.
After the steak is done, let it rest on a plate for 10 minutes. If you cut into it right off the grill, all the juices will come out and the steak will be as dry as shoe leather. No bueno!
After the steak rests, slice it up against the grain then serve alongside the hot roasted Brussels sprouts!
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Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Shallots, and Garlic
Description
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Shallots, and Garlic are savory, salty, and so darn good. Serve as a delicious side dish with dinner.Â
Ingredients
- 1lb Brussels sprouts, cored and halved
- 2 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 1 large shallot, cut into 1/4" slices and separated
- 4 garlic cloves, smashed
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- salt & pepper
Directions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil then spray liberally with non-stick spray and set aside. Combine Brussels sprouts, bacon, shallots, garlic, oil, salt, and pepper in a large bowl then toss to combine. Transfer to prepared baking sheet then spread out and turn sprouts cut side down. Place as much of the bacon and shallots on top of the sprouts as possible then roast for 20 minutes, or until golden brown and caramelized.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
These sprouts could not have turned out any better. They were absolutely amazing! Everything was so crispy and full of flavor, and the soft roasted garlic cloves were to die. I would make this side dish any night of the week. Yum yum yum! The steak marinade was awesome too. I only marinated the steak for 30 minutes and it still had tons of flavor.
For something fresh, I served a baby spinach, carrot, celery, and pomegranate salad on the side, dressed with tuscan-herb olive oil, salt, pepper, and a drizzle of honey. I try and serve side salads with dinner as much as I can in the season that shall not be named as it’s an easy serving of veggies when the bounty of summertime produce isn’t available!
Being stuck indoors doesn’t feel so bad when dinner tastes this good. :)
In other news, who’s playing the Powerball tonight?! Brussels sprouts for all if when Ben and I win!
Laura 11.28.2012
If you were going to add the cranberries, would you roast them along with the sprouts or toss them in at the end? thanks!
Lori 11.29.2012
Toss them in at the end…Just too yummy…Think of it like apple/ cabbage slaw. Something sweet, something cabbag-ey… It’s just roasted….I also like a little blue cheese on top of the whole mess…
Trisha 11.28.2012
I have an idea, how about you come to Wisco & make these Brussels sprouts for me & convince me to like them?!Because they look SO. GOOD. but every time I try, I just can’t get past the smell. I can guarantee it will NOT be warmer here, but I have a whole crapload of Housewives on my DVR! Plus Big Bang Theory, 2 Broke Girls, Parenthood, Revenge…all kinds of good ish! :)
Bek @ Crave 11.28.2012
does that not look like a 5 star dinner or what! Who needs fancy restaurants when your dishes look like that!
Samantha 11.28.2012
MMmm those brussels sprouts look good, I’ll have to try them soon.
My favorite shows are Parenthood, Top Chef, Big Bang Theory, & The Walking Dead. I could easily go to sleep at 7 pm if it didn’t make me feel like an old lady, haha!
Megan O'Brien 11.28.2012
Your meal looks delish, especially that steak! Your winter evenings sound a lot like Joe & mine, including an embarrassing amount of tv. On a side note, do you workout in the mornings? I have begun doing that for the past three weeks and although it’s still hard to get up, I like getting it done first-thing.
Lara 11.28.2012
That looks amazing! Good for winter but here in Melbourne, Australia, it’s heating up to more than 100 degrees today so there’ll be no hot meals at my house ;-) but that doesn’t stop me drooling! I’ll have to trawl through your site for northern hemisphere summer recipes! Love the website, especially Friday Favorites. Keep up the good work.
chelcie @ chelcie's food files 11.28.2012
I love all the shows you watch too! Have you ever watched new girl? its such a good show!
Sarita 11.28.2012
I can smell those Brussels sprouts! Oh wait that’s y tater tots! Show – ncis,ncis l.a. Person of interest,parenthood,csi,mad men.
Michelle 11.28.2012
First of all those look amazing! Second of all I love that you’re calling the season that because that’s exactly what it should be called. How is this weekend December?!
Favorite Shows: Top Chef, New Girl, Go On, Two Broke Girls and Parenthood!
Becky @ Olives n Wine 11.28.2012
“The season that shall not be named…” HAHA! Love it!Roasted brussel sprouts are one of my favorite side dishes in the winter too. I will definately have to try this + the cranberries :)
Lori 11.28.2012
OMG!! You MUST add the cranberries and some walnuts. I eat this at least 3 times a week. I just use the Steamables Lightly Sauced sprouts from the freezer section. They don’t get brown, but they are still awesome. Microwave them 5-ish minutes. Add walnuts, cranberries, and bacon pieces (plus a little Sriracha, if you like spice) and you have heaven in a bowl!!! Just make it for yourself if you have to!!
Also, Game of Thrones, Fringe, Dallas (the new one), Parenthood, True Blood, Go On, and The Big Bang Theory, too. Thankfully, they are all on at different times during the year, so it makes it easier…January looks to be a full plate, though!!!
Lori 11.28.2012
OOOPPSS!! Forgot Revolution, too. But it was the season finale, so that is over til next year!!
Iowamom 11.28.2012
Delish! I’ve been making brussel sprouts with bacon for a while since our family will add bacon to anything. Literally, anything. My kids love it and ask for brussel sprouts! That’s a victory right there. The darkness that falls upon us during this season that won’t be mentioned makes me exhausted and freezing. However, now our oldest is in middle school sports and they play in the evening! In the dark! (well, the basketball court is thankfully inside and well lit). In the cold! Doesn’t everyone just want to get into bed around 7pm?
madison 11.28.2012
Yum! I actually made sautéed brussel sprouts with apple and bacon for Thanksgiving.
TO DIE! (almost the same ingredients but mine called for 1/3 cup of white wine and 1/3 chicken broth) IT WAS AMMAHZING… despite the fact that I was terrified the apple would sweeten the dish. (it didn’t!)
Manissa 11.28.2012
OMG that flank steak. Saying that it looks delish would be an understatement. Anyway, another easy way to smash garlic would be to smack it with the flat side of your knife. So easy :)
Ali @ WHOLEistically Fit 11.28.2012
Yep, I think you’re absolutely right. This does look like the best winter dinner ever!! I’m salivating as I “speak”. I can’t wait to try this out. As for TV shows, I’d have to say mine and my husband’s absolute favorites are Parenthood and 2 Broke Girls. :)
Michaela 11.28.2012
Good to know that my fiance and I are not the only two people over the age of 15 who still watch The Challenge :) And I’m definitely convinced I need a Griddler! And I am making those brussel sprouts tonight- they look so good!
Allyson Smith 11.28.2012
I don’t know if you guys get Showtime, but Dexter and Homeland are two of my favorite shows right now. I also love Walking Dead (which is ironic because I do NOT love blood and guts!) Game of Thrones and Girls are also great- both on HBO. To save money, we do HBO half the year and Showtime the other half! I think i’ll be trying those sprouts soon… they look delish :)
Megan 11.28.2012
Food looks delish!! Can’t wait to try the brussel sprout with my fave flank steak. YUM. I love your blog and your taste in TV shows! Thanks for the update on Sean as the next bachelor! You just made my day :)
Lauren 11.28.2012
There is nothing like roasted brussels sprouts! Definitely my favorite winter veggie.
Kate 11.28.2012
I made these for Thanksgiving, except added slivered almonds to the mix (as suggested in Cook This, Not That). That’s even awesome-er :)