Bacon and Everything Else: Recipe

Meredith's Food for Life

I don't know what it is about bacon but just the sheer smell of it makes everyone come running. Most people I know come running with delight - "Is that bacon???" And that simple question is always followed, in my house, with "Can I have some?"

Today was one of those beautiful days where the productivity level inside and outside of the house was so high and so intense that dinner had to be equally hearty and quickly prepared. I grilled steaks wrapped in bacon, roasted petite potatoes and sautéed Brussels Sprouts with bacon and honey and rounded out the meal with a salad of baby arugula, cucumbers and fresh strawberries. It was an easy and perfectly flavored meal - a little salt goes a long way.

. The honey lessoned the slight bitter flavor of the sprouts and the ying-yang of the salty bacon and sweet honey made this really worth eating. We loved it!

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Honey

1 lb. pkg., Brussels Sprouts, in steamer pouch
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 slices bacon, cut into 1" pieces
1/2 large shallot, minced
2 tablespoons, honey
Steam sprouts in microwave as per directions, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, sauté shallot in very hot oil over medium high heat for about 5 minutes, careful not to burn. Add in the bacon and sauté well as it sweats - about 10 minutes, stirring often so as not to burn. Add in the cooked sprouts and sauté well for about 10 minutes, stirring often, again. Next, add in the honey and continue to sauté until sprouts are browned and bacon is thick and lost all of its fat - about another 8-10 minutes.