Charred Brussels Sprouts Recipe
havarti cheese. avocado spread. boss sauce candied bacon. 'low n slow' garlic. balsamic reduction
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Ingredients
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Brussels sprouts & finishing
Low 'n' slow garlic
Candied bacon (Boss sauce style)
Avocado spread
Cheese & garnish
Method
Low 'n' slow garlic
- 1
Slow-roast garlic
Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). In a small ovenproof dish, combine peeled garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil; season with 1/4 tsp kosher salt. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 45–60 minutes, until cloves are very soft and lightly caramelized. Remove from oven and set aside to cool slightly. Squeeze or mash cloves to make a soft garlic paste.
Candied bacon (Boss sauce style)
- 2
Candy the bacon
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. In a small bowl mix brown sugar, hot sauce and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Lay bacon strips on the rack and brush each strip with the sugar-hot sauce mixture. Bake 12–18 minutes, watching closely — bacon should be crisp and caramelized but not burned. Remove and let cool on the rack; when cool enough to handle, chop into 1/2-inch pieces. Reserve drippings on the baking sheet to add a little flavor to the Brussels if desired.
Avocado spread
- 3
Make the spread
In a small bowl, mash the ripe avocado with lemon juice, 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper until mostly smooth with a few small chunks. Taste and adjust seasoning. Set aside at room temperature.
Brussels sprouts & finishing
- 4
Prepare sprouts
While the garlic roasts or after, halve the Brussels sprouts lengthwise and remove any loose outer leaves. Pat dry thoroughly — dryness is important to get a good char.
- 5
Char the sprouts
Heat a large heavy skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat until very hot. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and swirl. Place sprouts cut-side down in a single layer (you may need to work in batches). Press down gently with a spatula so the cut side contacts the pan. Cook undisturbed 4–6 minutes until deep golden-brown to charred on the cut side. Flip and cook 2–3 more minutes until fork-tender but still with some bite. If you reserved bacon drippings, add 1–2 teaspoons to the pan when you flip for extra flavor.
- 6
- 7
Season and plate
Season sprouts with 1 tsp kosher salt and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to taste. Transfer sprouts to a serving platter. Dollop or spread the avocado mixture alongside or in the center and arrange shaved Havarti over and around the sprouts so it softens from the residual heat.
- 8