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Orecchiette with Brussels Sprouts and Bacon - cjs - 02-01-2009
Not a healthy dish be any means, but oh my, is this ever a wonderful flavored pasta!
![[Image: BSproutsOrrecchiette.jpg]](http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/cjdacook/BSproutsOrrecchiette.jpg)
Orecchiette with Brussels Sprouts and Bacon
1/2 cup hazelnuts (2 ounces)
2 1/2 cups chicken stock or canned low-sodium broth
Salt
1 pound Brussels sprouts -- halved or quartered if large
3/4 pound orecchiette pasta
3 slices thick-cut bacon -- cut into 1-inch pieces
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (3 ounces)
Freshly ground pepper
Preheat the oven to 375°. Spread the hazelnuts in a pie plate and toast for 8 minutes, or until fragrant. Let the nuts cool, then coarsely chop them.
In a small saucepan, boil the chicken stock until reduced to 3/4 cup, about 15 minutes; keep warm.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the Brussels sprouts, cover and cook until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the Brussels sprouts and pat them dry. Return the water to a boil. Add the orecchiette and cook until al dente, 12 to 15 minutes; drain.
Meanwhile, in a large, deep skillet, cook the bacon over moderately high heat until crisp, about 6 minutes. Drain the bacon on paper towels. Add the butter to the skillet and cook over moderately high heat until browned and nutty, about 3 minutes. Add the Brussels sprouts and hazelnuts and cook until heated through, about 2 minutes. Add the orecchiette along with the reduced chicken stock and simmer, stirring, until the sauce is slightly absorbed, about 2 minutes.
Stir in 1/2 cup of the Parmigiano cheese, season with salt and pepper and transfer to a large serving bowl. Garnish with the bacon and the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese and serve.
The smokiness of the bacon and the earthiness of the nuts in this pasta dish suggest a medium-bodied, Italian-style Sangiovese, such as the 1999 Flora Springs or the 1999 Altamura.
Description:
"This hearty pasta dish is truly perfect in autumn, when Brussels sprouts are at their peak of flavor"
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And leftovers will be Jacques Pepin's Pasta with fried eggs and cheese - then it's back to healthier food.
Re: Orecchiette with Brussels Sprouts and Bacon - Gourmet_Mom - 02-01-2009
And my crowd says they don't like them. I don't get it...they love steamed cabbage.
Re: Orecchiette with Brussels Sprouts and Bacon - labradors - 02-01-2009
Quote:
Description:
"This hearty pasta dish is truly perfect in autumn, when Brussels sprouts are at their peak of flavor"
This would be a truly wonderful dish with broccoli instead of Brussels sprouts.
Re: Orecchiette with Brussels Sprouts and Bacon - Mare749 - 02-01-2009
Oh my, that dish looks amazing. We love brussel sprouts and have them at least once a week. Thanks for posting.
Re: Orecchiette with Brussels Sprouts and Bacon - Gourmet_Mom - 02-01-2009
Thanks for the idea Labs! It makes sense and my crowd will love that!
Re: Orecchiette with Brussels Sprouts and Bacon - BarbaraS - 02-01-2009
I haven't had brussel sprouts since I wasa a kid and my father made me sit at the table until I finished them.
I maaaaay have to try them again. Smothered with bacon and butter, they may have some taste to them, after all.
Barbara
Re: Orecchiette with Brussels Sprouts and Bacon - luvnit - 02-01-2009
That looks amazing Jean! I am going to make this. Did you use fresh or frozen brussel sprouts?
Did you mix two pastas together? I think I see some campanelle.
Re: Orecchiette with Brussels Sprouts and Bacon - cjs - 02-01-2009
Good eye, Laura - I couldn't find Orecchiette here so subbed campanelle and medium shells.
I used fresh b. sprouts. But don't see why fozen wouldn't work if that's what you have.
Re: Orecchiette with Brussels Sprouts and Bacon - luvnit - 02-01-2009
I am going to make this sometime VERY soon.
I love brussel sprouts. I am not sure if they are in season now. I was wondering about fresh or frozen just because of the cooking times, but I bet I could wing it and figure it out.
Good job Jean. Looks picture perfect! (Hey! Where did the picture go?)
Re: Orecchiette with Brussels Sprouts and Bacon - cjs - 02-02-2009
Ooops, just learned something - when I delete from Photobucket, I guess it deletes it from here also. Well, guess I won't do that again.
