Brussels Sprouts with Leeks and Side Pork

I love brussels sprouts, I love leeks and I absolutely love side pork. Put them together and I created a meal I could moan over (yup, I love it that much).  Though this would traditionally be a side, I just ate a whole plate for dinner (some of my old vegetarian habits die hard).

People either love or hate brussels sprouts. When I asked my husband what he thought about this dish, he said it was okay. I on the other hand loved it. So, If you have never tried them, or it's been years, I highly suggest roasting them at 450 degrees for 20-30 minutes until they are crispy brown (with your cooking fat of choice and salt and pepper). If you already love them, I suggest trying this recipe.

A note about side pork:

If you have never tried it, it is cut like bacon, but is only meat. There are no added nitrates, sugar or spices. My favorite thing to do is to cook up a whole pound in the oven at 400 degrees for about 30-40 minutes (depending on how crispy you like it). Half way through I flip it and drain the grease (save the grease for cooking with in the future). You may need to drain it twice. My secret ingredient: I sprinkle it with garlic salt after I flip it. This gives it some flavor and needed saltiness. When making the recipe below, I cooked a pound of bacon, minus the 2 pieces I used in the pan. After the bacon was done in the oven, I chopped up 3 slices along with the reserved 2 slices from the pan. The rest of the cooked side pork I keep in the refrigerator for salads. 

Brussels Sprouts with Leeks and Side Pork

Makes 3-4 side servings 

Ingredients:

-4-5 slices of side pork (or bacon)

-12 Ounces of brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved

-1 Large leek, cut in half lengthwise to remove dirt, then sliced up the leek in 1/4" pieces

-Garlic salt and black pepper

Directions:

-Cook 2 slices of the side pork over medium to medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes in a skillet, remove from pan and set aside. You should have about 1-2 tablespoons of bacon fat left in the pan to saute with.

-Add 12 ounces brussels sprouts and the cut up leeks to the bacon grease, and cook for 20-25 until the brussels sprouts and leeks are browned. The trick is to have the heat high enough to brown the brussels sprouts and leeks, but not burn them. You also don't want to have it too low or it will just make mushy brussels sprouts. Make sure to stir occassionally. 

-Add garlic salt and black pepper to taste, mix, then top with chopped side pork.