Full disclosure: my kids still don't really love these. BUT WAIT!! Before you turn away, hear me out. There is still value in making veggies your kids won't eat (yet!) because it gives them the opportunity to learn. The only way they are EVER going to eat Brussels sprouts is if you continue to make them and let them see you enjoying them, and believe me, you'll enjoy these - I mean, bacon... need I say more? And because of that bacon, there is still a small part of this dish your kids are likely to eat, getting them one tiny step closer to eating the whole thing. I give each of my kids a serving, they pick out and eat the bacon, and over time, I truly believe they'll start to eat the sprouts as well, even if it's one little leaf at a time (I'll keep you posted on that).
In the mean time, the kids can help me make them and my husband and I can continue to devour them. They are DELICIOUS, and so easy I make them regularly on weeknights to go along with basic chicken thighs or thrown into pasta.
K I D D U T I E S : (kids can do any or all)
Wash sprouts
Chop bacon (ages 6+, supervised)
Sautte sprouts (ages 6+, supervised)
Return bacon bits back into sprouts and stir
I N G R E D I E N T S
4 strips thick-cut bacon
2 tbsp butter
1 lb Brussels sprouts, halved or quartered (if large)
1/2 onion
salt and pepper
I N S T R U C T I O N S
Cook bacon until crispy - remove bacon from the pan to a paper towel to drain, reserving bacon fat in the pan. Once the bacon is cool, chop into small bits.
In the same pan with the bacon fat, melt the butter over high heat, add the onion and Brussels sprouts and cook, stirring occasionally, until sprouts are golden brown, about 8-10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and toss the chopped bacon back into pan, stirring to combine. Serve immediately and be sure to make tons of "mmmm" noises so your kids know what they're missing!
