Christmas recipes for the family
No party would be complete without delicious food. Christmas is no exception. In an effort to rid the world of stale fruitcake and overly wise dressing forever, here is a recipe I recommend. Enjoy!
Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts, Pancetta and Parsley
So many people associate Christmas with ham, turkey, or duck and while these are all amazing dishes and completely essential to any holiday feast, let's not overlook the side dishes. Sides are the glue that holds your meal together- the understudies and stage managers of the play that is Christmas dinner. This recipe for Brussels Sprouts is so amazing, it might just steal the show.
Ingredients
2 1/4 pounds Brussels sprouts
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
9 ounces pancetta, rind removed and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 tablespoons butter
About 8 to 9 ounces vacuum-packed chestnuts
2 fluid ounces Marsala wine
1 large handful fresh parsley, chopped, divided
Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Slice the bottoms off each of the Brussels sprouts, cutting a cross onto the base as you go. Place the Brussels sprouts into a large saucepan of salted boiling water. Cook the Brussels sprouts for 5 minutes, or until they are tender but still retain a bit of bite.
Remove the pan from the heat and drain the excess water from the Brussels sprouts.
Heat the oil in a large clean saucepan. Add the pancetta cubes to the pan and cook until they are crisp and golden-brown in color, but not cooked to the point of having dried out.
Add the butter and the chestnuts to the pancetta saucepan and with a wooden spoon or spatula, press down on them to break them up into pieces. Once the chestnuts have been warmed through, turn the heat up and add the Marsala to the pan. Cook until the mixture has reduced and thickened slightly.
Add the sprouts and half the parsley to the saucepan and mix well. Season the Brussels sprouts with freshly ground black pepper.
To serve, place the Brussels sprouts onto a warmed serving plate and sprinkle the remaining chopped parsley over the top.
This easy and yet elegant side is sure to become a staple of your Christmas dinner.