Description
Delicious bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts roasted to perfection and served with a creamy lemon mayonnaise dip and a sweet, peppered maple syrup. This appetizer combines crispy bacon, tender Brussels sprouts, and a hint of citrus, making it a perfect dish for gatherings or a flavorful snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Brussels Sprouts
- 18 medium Brussels sprouts (approximately 680 grams)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Bacon and Maple Syrup
- 12 ounces (340 grams) center-cut bacon (about 18 strips)
- 1/4 cup (60 millilitres) pure maple syrup, plus 1/2 cup (120 millilitres) for serving
Creamy Lemon Dip
- 1/2 cup (120 grams) mayonnaise
- Zest of 1/2 lemon
- 2 teaspoons (10 millilitres) fresh lemon juice
- Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (approximately 400°F) and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for roasting.
- Prepare Brussels Sprouts: Trim the stem ends from the Brussels sprouts and slice each one in half lengthwise. Place them in a medium bowl and toss with 1 teaspoon kosher salt to season.
- Wrap Brussels Sprouts with Bacon: Lay the bacon strips flat on a work surface and brush generously with half of the 1/4 cup maple syrup. Cut each bacon strip in half crosswise. Wrap each halved Brussels sprout with a piece of syrup-coated bacon, ensuring the syrup side faces out and the seam is on the flat side for secure wrapping.
- Arrange and Season: Place the bacon-wrapped sprouts on the prepared baking sheet, seam side down, spacing them apart. Brush the tops with additional maple syrup and sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Roast: Roast in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through to ensure even cooking. The bacon should become crisp, and the Brussels sprouts tender when pierced with a knife.
- Prepare Lemon Dip: In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise with most of the lemon zest and all of the lemon juice until smooth. Sprinkle the remaining lemon zest on top for garnish.
- Make Peppered Maple Syrup: Pour 1/2 cup maple syrup into a small bowl and add freshly ground black pepper and crushed red pepper flakes to taste. Stir this spicy-sweet syrup well.
- Serve: Arrange the bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts on a serving platter. Serve alongside the creamy lemon dip and the peppered maple syrup for dipping, offering a delightful mix of flavors.
Notes
- Choose center-cut bacon for a good balance of meat and fat that crisps perfectly.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to control the heat level in the maple syrup dipping sauce.
- The lemon zest in the dip adds a fresh citrus aroma that complements the smoky bacon.
- Ensure the bacon seam is on the flat side of the Brussels sprout to prevent unraveling during roasting.
- This dish can be prepared in advance up to wrapping the sprouts with bacon, then refrigerated until ready to roast.
- For crispier bacon, consider finishing under a broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
