The holiday season is upon us and with it comes many opportunities for entertaining.  This time of the year, however, we tend to have fewer choices of fresh vegetables to use for side dishes.  One of my favorites is the often-maligned Brussels sprout.  

The varied flavors and textures of this dish make almost every bite unique and delicious, holding your attention and entertaining you until it is finished.

Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Candied Pecans and Cranberries:

Yield:  8 servings
Preparation Time:  25 minutes

Ingredients:
1 pound fresh Brussels sprouts, rinsed and trimmed
3 ounces candied pecans, chopped (recipe follows)
2 ounces of smoked bacon, julienned
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground and toasted black pepper
4 ounces chopped dried cranberries
¼ cup red wine vinegar

Preparation:

1. Using a food processor or a sharp kitchen knife, slice the Brussels sprouts very thinly.
2. Place a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and add the bacon to the pan. Use a spatula to stir the bacon while the fat renders.  Let the bacon cook until almost crispy.
3. Add the sliced Brussels sprouts to the pan and toss (or stir with a spatula) until coated with bacon fat.  Continue stirring the Brussels sprouts until their color has brightened and they become tender, approximately five minutes.
4. Add the red wine vinegar to the pan and let it reduce, approximately one minute.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Remove the pan from the heat, and then add the cranberries and chopped pecans.  Toss and serve. 

One of the ingredients of the above dish  is candied pecans, which is another one of my holiday favorites.  These candied pecans are multi-functional:  Use them to top sweet potato casseroles, serve with ice cream, leave them in a bowl as a bar snack, or bag them up as a great holiday gift for your neighbors.  

Candied Pecans:

Yield:  2 lbs
Preparation Time:  40 minutes

Ingredients:
1 ½ pounds of pecan halves
4 ounces dark brown sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground allspice
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground coriander seed
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 egg whites

Preparation:

1. Whip egg whites until frothy, then toss pecans in whipped egg whites and let any excess drain off in a colander.
2. Combine dark brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice, ginger, coriander seed, cardamom, kosher salt and cayenne pepper.  Toss pecans with this spice mix until thoroughly coated.
3. Apply non-stick spray to a cookie sheet, then lay coated pecans in a single layer on the cookie sheet.  
4. Bake pecans in a pre-heated oven at 300 degrees for approximately 30 minutes, until the pecans are toasted and dry.  Every ten minutes, use a spatula to gently move the pecans around on the sheet tray to promote even cooking.

This article originally appeared in the December 2013 issue of “Inside Myers Park” magazine.  Article and photos by Scott Craig