I’m hosting my first Christmas Eve dinner for 17 people! I’m excited and nervous at the same time as both sides of our family will be joining us with completely different palates. My side of the family, Latino and my husband’s side of the family, Germans from Iowa. So I was thinking a fusion of foods including traditional tamales, which my family usually eats on Christmas Eve, and a nice slow cooked brisket. They seem to compliment each other and something you could actually eat a little bit of both of. Within the next couple of weeks, I’ll be testing out different recipes I’d like to include as side dishes and the following recipe will definitely be gracing our table this Christmas Eve. Brussels Sprout and Bacon Gratin. This was another great way to enjoy seasonal Brussels sprouts. These Brussels sprouts are baked in the oven with a mix of bacon, parmesan cheese, raw heavy cream and milk! They turned out so deliciously creamy and cheesy with just the right hint of saltiness added in by the bacon. My carnivorous husband enjoyed this dish but of course he loves anything with bacon! Now, I just need to make sure and pick up some more brussels sprouts at our December market!
What are you serving on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? Any special side dishes you’d like to suggest? How about biscuits? Any great biscuit recipes I should know about? Thanks so much! I can use all the help I can get 😉
Brussels Sprout and Bacon Gratin
Ingredients:
- 1lb Brussels sprouts, rinsed and cut in half
- 2/3 cup full fat cream
- 2/3 cup full fat milk
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tbls butter
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and sliced into small pieces
- pepper to taste
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 300F.
- In a small bowl mix together the cream, milk and parmesan cheese.
- In an ovenproof dish, place a layer of Brussels sprouts and sprinkle with half of the bacon pieces, followed by another layer of Brussels sprouts and the remaining bacon pieces.
- Pour the cream, milk and parmesan cheese mixture over the Brussels sprouts and bacon.
- Season with freshly ground pepper.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes.
- Remove the aluminum foil, press the sprouts under the liquid and bake for an additional 35 minutes.
This recipe is also a part of Oprah.com featured Holiday blogger recipes! That’s right, I have been invited to be a featured Holiday blogger over at Oprah.com. Stop on by and check out my profile 😉
Other recipes of interest: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Red Onions and Pancetta
Hmmmm… hadn't thought about the holiday dinner. We usually have a Mexican dinner – green chile chicken enchiladas, spanish rice, and chips w/guacamole. Now that we are trying to eat more vegan I may try a vegan whole wheat lasagna.
Those brussel sprouts look great, btw. 🙂
Blessings!
Amy
Hi Diana,
I live here in Des Moines and I read your last post about your chickens. I love your chicken coop. I am preparing to get started with chickens this Spring and had a few questions for you. I was going to email you but I couldn't get the "contact" link to work. Could you send me your email?
Thanks!
Sara
[email protected]
i love roasted brussel sprouts with EVOO, sea salt and garlic 🙂
That looks amazing. I love brussels sprouts!
For Thanksgiving I made kale chips this year – they were a huge hit as part of our appetizer spread.
http://www.findyourbalancehealth.com/2009/12/want-a-chip-have-a-whole-bowl
You know, as on top of it as I was for Thanksgiving, I haven't planned anything for Christmas dinner yet. Nothing. Don't even know what day we'll be celebrating. How terrible is that? This does look really tasty though!
I'm so sad I wont be able to join the family but I have to be at work till 10 🙁 If it's slow I get off at 8 so hopefully I can catch some of the festivities. Save me tamales girl!
Hi Diana,
Do you have any recipe for tamales that you can include in your list? Thanks. Happy Holidays!!
Mar
They look fabulous. Best wishes with your dinner party. I'm sure it will be a huge success.
LL
Christmas dinner for me will be the usual fare of traditional dishes, honey baked ham, stewed pigeon peas, saffron rice, salad, pastelles (similar to your tamales ) etc.
Hi Diana, just got back from my vacation! Oh wow, this recipe sounds great. Love the cheese on it. I bet my kids would dig into this yumy dish. Have a wonderful weekend. Cheers.
Since my renewed interest in brussel sprouts after the Foodbuzz Festival I am always looking for ways to cook these little gems.
WOWOWOW! Congrats on being invited to blog there -that's incredible and so well-deserved!!!
Diana, That is going to be a great Christmas eve party!
Great Brussels sprouts dish! It sounds like your Christmas Eve dinner will be wonderful. But I totally understand how different food backgrounds can be a bit tricky…
Congratulations on being featured on Oprah.com!!!!!! That's so exciting and well deserved! 🙂
Hello! I found your site from Oprah's site. This looks wonderful. I can't wait to try it.
Love sprouts and bacon combo! This looks so good!
i`m your permanent reader now
Emm sounds so good and I will pop over to see your profile how exciting.
Dorothy from grammology
grammology.com
looks great you will be fine Diana your an awesome cook can't wait to see the pics of the food lol Rebecca
I love gratin recipes and this one seems so delicious !!!
Thanks for sharing, Diana 🙂
Have a blessed and beautiful week with your family 😉
Wow! Christmas is quickly approaching. I'm excited that you will be hosting such a big party, it's quite intimidating to organize big events, but I have all the confidence in you.
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Diana thanks so much for posting this. We have a TON of brussels sprouts to use up before we leave on Friday and I was looking for a new way to cook them. We also have bacon and cream so it's perfect!
Yummy brussel sprouts 😉
Wishing you all the best diana 🙂
I've been following your blog for quite a while and enjoying your wealth of good recipes. When Foodista announced that they are going to publish the best food blogs in a full color book that will be published by Andrews McMeel Publishing Fall 2010, I naturally thought of you. This recipe would be a good submission! You can enter here: http://www.foodista.com/blogbook/submit
Cheers,
Melissa
[email protected]
Editor and Community Developer
Foodista.com — The Cooking Encyclopedia Everyone Can Edit