Brussels Sprouts With Cornbread Croutons Recipes

BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH CORNBREAD CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425ºF. Toss together first 4 ingredients in a large bowl; divide evenly between 2 rimmed baking sheets. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Reduce oven heat to 350°F.
• Spread cornbread cubes evenly on a baking sheet; bake at 350°F until browned and crispy, about 15 minutes.
• Cook butter, stirring constantly, in a medium skillet over medium until foaming. Add shallot and thyme; cook, stirring often, 1 minute. Drizzle butter mixture over toasted cornbread. Arrange Brussels sprouts in a serving dish; top with cornbread mixture.

FRIED BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH BACON AND BROWN BUTTER CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a plate with paper towels. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Fit a wire rack inside a second baking sheet.
• Slice the bacon into 1/2-inch-by-1 1/2-inch-thick strips. Place the strips into a large skillet and put over medium heat. Cook until the bacon is crisp and most of the fat has rendered, about 15 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon to the prepared plate. Remove all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat from the skillet. Add the butter and cook over medium heat until the butter has browned and smells nutty, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat.
• Add the cornbread cubes to a large bowl and drizzle the brown butter-bacon fat over top, tossing very gently to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Spread the cornbread onto the parchment-lined baking sheet and bake until browned, turning halfway, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, heat 3 inches of oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat to 365 degrees F. Fry the Brussels sprouts in batches (use a splatter screen to shield any water from splattering) until crisp and browned, about 4 minutes. Remove to the rack-lined baking sheet and sprinkle with salt and pepper while hot. When you are finished frying the Brussels sprouts, add the sage leaves to the hot oil and fry for 2 minutes.
• Before serving, gently toss the Brussels sprouts with the cornbread croutons and 3/4 of the bacon. Plate into a large serving bowl and top with the remaining bacon, the pomegranate seeds and fried sage leaves.