Brussels Sprouts and Bacon

Um. Bacon.  Yes please!  I happen to also love fresh Brussels sprouts, so for me, this is a match made in Heaven.  Turns out Bacon, by itself, is really high in calories, but if you just use 2-3 pieces to cook with, it’s not so bad.  Also, I like to buy the center cut bacon, because it tends to have less fat, and be lower in calorie.  At any rate, I never buy bacon that has more than 80 calories per 2 slices.  You have to be careful.  Some of the get up to 120 calories for 2 slices.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs of fresh Brussels sprouts
• 4 Slices of bacon
• 1/2 an onion, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons light butter or margarine (50 cal per tbsp.)
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• (Optional) 1 tsp balsamic vinegar

Directions:

1. Cut the ends off each Brussels sprout, and then cut each Brussels sprout in half, vertically. Go ahead and quarter the really big ones.
2. Cut Bacon into tiny pieces (I use kitchen scissors),and place them in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Cook bacon until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, reserving bacon grease in the skillet.  Set bacon bits aside for later.
4. Melt Light butter or margarine in same pan with bacon fat over medium-high heat. Add onions and Brussels Sprouts and stir to coat them.
5. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until sprouts begin to soften, about 10-15 minutes. They will have some char to them, which is good. Once they’re softened to your liking, Stir in salt and pepper, vinegar (optional) and  bacon. Serve immediately.

Editors note: I like to cover the pan with a see through lid during the last half of cooking so the steam softens the sprouts a little more. 

 6 servings= 105 Calories per serving

6 Servings= appx 2 weight watchers points plus per serving

Tags: brussels sprouts, low calorie brussels sprouts with bacon, weight watchers brussels sprouts