Page 45 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2022

Ingredients
– 1 lb Brussels sprouts
(ends trimmed)
– 4 strips thick bacon
– Salt (to taste)
– 2 tbs onion powder
– 2 tbs garlic powder
Roasted Bacon Brussels Sprouts
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. In a skillet on medium high heat, cook bacon until almost crisp. Remove bacon from the grease and set aside. Remove skillet from heat.
3. In a medium sized mixing bowl add Brussels sprouts, slowly toss in bacon grease until sprouts are well covered. Season with onion powder, garlic powder, and salt. (Remember that bacon grease is already salty so refrain from over salting.)
4. Place Brussels sprouts on a baking sheet. Chop bacon and place the bacon on the sprouts.
5. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until you begin to see crisp leaves form.
Another simple side to pair with
a Christmas loin is most definitely roasted Brussels sprouts. I must admit I was absolutely not a fan of Brussels sprouts until at least my
late 20s. The thought of tiny cabbages boiled in water and butter just did
not set easy with me. And it wasn’t until my late 20s that I began to live by the motto, “I will try anything once – twice if it wasn’t cooked properly the first time.” Since then, Brussels sprouts have become a staple in my home, even though having them boiled will never grace my tastebuds again. Needless to say, bacon grease and crispy leaves are stupendous.
Every traditional Christmas dinner includes some type
of bread. Sweet cornbread topped with red chili honey butter will completely hit
the spot. If I were you, I’d make sure to double up this recipe because it will most definitely be devoured by your family and guests.
To complete this semi traditional Christmas spread, I’ve put together a quick and easy dessert that will have folks coming back for more. Bourbon shines in this dessert, and who doesn’t like a good bourbon taste? Bourbon pecan brie bites are a sweet and salty delicacy that can be served as a finger food. We all know finger
foods make for an easier cleanup and quite honestly, I’m all for that.
Bourbon Pecan Brie Bites
Sweet Cornbread
Ingredients
– 2 cups self-rising cornmeal – 1⁄2 cup sugar
– 1 1⁄4 cups milk or buttermilk – 1 large egg
Red Chili Honey Butter
Ingredients
– 1 stick unsalted butter – 1⁄2 tsp red chili flakes – 1 tsp smoked paprika
– 2 tbs local honey
Directions
1. In a small saucepan on low heat, melt the butter.
2. Once butter is melted, slowly whisk honey into the butter and add seasonings.
3. Set aside to cool. Taste test and alter to your liking.
Ingredients
– 2 pkg mini baked phyllo shells(15 per package)
– 2 1⁄2 tbs bourbon (honey tends to be a crowd pleaser)
– 1⁄2 cup roasted chopped pecans
Directions
– 4 tbs unsalted butter (melted)
– 1⁄2 tsp cinnamon
– 2/3 cup brown sugar – 8 oz round of brie
– 1⁄4 cup shortening or oil
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. In a medium bowl, mix all ingredients together.
3. Pour mixture into an iron skillet or cake pan.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
5. Serve with Red Chili Honey Butter.
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a mixing bowl, add butter, bourbon, brown sugar,
cinnamon, and roasted pecans. Mix well.
3. Pull the rind off of the brie (I normally carefully cut
it off) and cut the brie into pieces big enough to fit in
your phyllo shells.
4. On a baking sheet, place your shells in a single layer. 5. Fill your shells with the brie then spoon your bourbon
mixture on top of the brie making sure not to over fill the shells. Note: Make sure that pecans are in every shell.
6. Bake your bites for 10 minutes or until the brie begins to bubble.
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net
December 2022 | 45