Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta and Parmesan

I'm so glad the old standard boiling method of cooking Brussels sprouts has fallen out of fashion - the results were limp, soggy, gray sprouts that surely had little to no nutritional value.  These days, roasting and sauteing are more common cooking techniques, resulting in creamy, caramelized, vibrant colored sprouts that haven't had all their nutritional value sucked away in a sea ofboiling water. 

Today I've taken my usual oven roasted sprouts and dressed them up with a really tasty mixture of sauteed onions and pancetta, and just before serving, I added shavings of really good parmesan.  This recipe is really delicious and worthy of being served at any holiday meal.  

Start by sautéing diced onions and pancetta in a really large skillet over medium high heat, stirring frequently.

Continue sauteing until the onions and pancetta begin to caramelize.  

Turn off the heat and add a little water to deglaze the pan, then add a touch of red wine vinegar - the flavor combination is pure magic!

Pour the mixture over roasted Brussels sprouts and top with shavings of the good stuff, Parmigiano Reggiano.  Enjoy!

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• large skillet https://amzn.to/3HFqoc3

• red wine vinegar https://amzn.to/3T1PFlu

• my favorite knife https://amzn.to/3Wp58iB

• really good parmigiano reggiano https://amzn.to/3NxbcSa

• half sheet pan https://amzn.to/3Lhy06R

---

Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta and Parmesan

makes 4-6 servings

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 pound roasted Brussels sprouts (recipe here)

• 1 medium yellow onion, diced

• 8 ounces diced pancetta

• 2 tablespoons water

• 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar

• shaved parmesan

Directions

1. In a large skillet over medium high heat, saute onions and pancetta, stirring frequently, until caramelized.

2. Add water to deglaze pan; remove from heat and stir in red wine vinegar.

3. Pour contents of pan over roasted sprouts and top with shaved parmesan.

Frittata with Ham and Roasted Vegetables

Frittatas are one of my favorite egg dishes for a few reasons.  First, there's no need to make a crust - which is both a time saver and it reduces our carb intake.  Second, you can fill them with just about anything - specific meat/veggie combos, leftovers from last night's dinner, forgotten items from the crisper drawer, etc.  And last, but certainly not least, they're equally delicious served both warm and at room temperature.  So that makes frittatas tasty, versatile, and convenient!  I hope I've convinced you to give them a try.

Start by roasting a mixture of vegetables in the oven as directed in the recipe below.

In a 12-inch cast iron skillet, saute ham and scallions in a little butter.  Remove from heat.

Note: this recipe can be reduced in half and baked in an 8 or 9-inch cast iron skillet.

Add the roasted vegetables to the skillet with the ham and stir well.  Lightly press the vegetables into an even layer - don't press too firmly, there needs to be lots of air spaces for the egg mixture to seep into.

Wondering what that red thing is?  It's a silicone handle cover so I don't burn my hands on the hot skillet.

Whisk together eggs, cream, milk, parmesan cheese, scallions, kosher salt, and pepper.

Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables.

Carefully transfer the skillet to a 350F oven for 30-35 minutes or until the eggs are no longer giggly in the center of the pan.

Remove from oven and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and chopped chives evenly all over.  Return to oven for 3 or 4 minutes to melt cheese.  If you like your cheese browned, carefully place under broiler for a minute or so.

Allow to rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.  Serve warm or at room temperature.  

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• 12-inch cast iron skillet https://amzn.to/3pfetxU

• silicone handle cover https://amzn.to/44bRliq

• pie server https://amzn.to/3qYMcMz

• flat whisk https://amzn.to/3skqvTS

---

Frittata with Ham and Roasted Vegetables

makes 12 servings

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• 2 cups chopped bell pepper (I used red and orange)

• 2 cups seeded and chopped zucchini and/or summer squash

• 2 cups chopped mushrooms

• 1 cup chopped red, white, or yellow onion

• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

• 2 teaspoons finely minced garlic
  

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 2 cups cubed ham

• 2 scallions, sliced
  

• 12 large eggs

• 1/4 cup heavy cream

• 3/4 cup whole milk

• 2 scallions, chopped

• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (use the good stuff)

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  

• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• 1 teaspoon chopped chives

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425F and place rack in center position.

2. Place chopped peppers, zucchini/summer squash, mushrooms, and onion on half sheet pan.

3. Coat vegetables evenly with olive oil, salt, and pepper, tossing as needed; shake pan to spread vegetables in an even layer.

4. After 15 minutes, remove vegetables from oven and add minced garlic; toss well and spread veggies out in a single layer and return to oven for 15-30 minutes until they are caramelized (the time will vary depending on which vegetables you use).

5. Remove vegetables from oven and set aside until needed.

6. Reduce oven temp to 350F.

7. In a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat, saute ham and scallions in butter for about 5 minutes or until ham browns a bit; remove from heat.

8. Add roasted vegetables to the skillet; stir the ham and vegetables together well and lightly press into an even layer (don't pack it tightly - you want to leave lots of air pockets for the egg mixture to seep into).

9. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, milk, scallions, parmesan cheese, kosher salt, and black pepper; pour evenly over vegetables.

10. Carefully place skillet into 350F oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the eggs are cooked through and no longer giggly in the center of the pan.

11. Remove from oven and top with shredded cheddar and chopped chives; return to oven for 3-4 minutes until cheese melts. If you like the cheese to brown a bit, place under broiler for a minute or two (watch it carefully to prevent burning).

recipe inspired by ina garten