Need a super easy, but totally delicious recipe for sprouts this Christmas? Then this Pan Fried Sprouts with Chestnuts and Bacon recipe is your answer. My easy peasy twist on this Christmas classic, this Brussels sprout dish uses only 3 ingredients and just 1 pan…and can be ready in under 15 minutes!
There’s one thing you need to know about me…I am a huge fan of sprouts! And over the last few years I have created over a dozen sprout recipes…some of them are a little adventurous (my Stir Fried Sprouts with Ginger and Chilli, for example), and some of them are classics with an easy peasy twist…like this recipe for Pan Fried Sprouts with Chestnuts and Bacon.
I am always looking for ways to make cooking quicker and simpler, with less hassle and less washing up…and never more so at Christmas. With so much else going on, I really, really haven’t got the time or energy for complicated faffy recipes.
So I make it my mission each year to make my Christmas recipes as easy as possible. Last year I created my Ultimate Easy Peasy Christmas Dinner – an easy but totally tasty Christmas menu that can be ready in just 1 hour – yes really!
This year I have been working on more easy peasy Christmas dishes, such as my super simple Pork, Sage and Onion Stuffing and my Easy Roast Turkey Crown and not one, but two easy sprout recipes! My Pan Fried Sprouts with Chorizo and Almonds for those of you who like to be a bit adventurous at Christmas time, and this recipe for Pan Fried Sprouts with Chestnuts and Bacon, for those of you who prefer the classics.
Pan Fried Sprouts with Chorizo and Almonds
So what have I done to make this classic sprout recipe a little easier than usual? Usually pan fried sprouts involve a two step process – first par boiling the sprouts, then pan-frying them with the chestnuts and bacon.
However, I have a little cheat to make this recipe much quicker and easier (and as a bonus it involves less washing up!) Instead of par-boiling my sprouts, I cut them in half (or quarters if they are large) so they cook quicker and fry them straight away. Then when the sprouts are lovely and browned, I add a splash of water, which gently steams the sprouts and helps them cook all the way through.
Pan frying the sprouts first means they have a lovely nutty flavour and this method also ensures the sprouts don’t get over cooked, as can sometimes happen with the conventional way. It also means more of the nutrients in the sprouts are retained and not lost in the water used to boil the sprouts…and, of course, doing it this way means only one pan is used which is a huge bonus, especially at Christmas time!
Pan Fried Sprouts with Chestnuts and Bacon
Ingredients
- 300 g sprouts halved (or quartered if large)
- 200 g chestnuts ready cooked, unsweetened – I use merchant gourmet
- 100 g lardons or diced smoked bacon
- 100 ml boiling hot water from the kettle
Instructions
- Put the bacon in a large non-stick frying pan and cook over a medium-high heat for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned.
- Add the sprouts and chestnuts to the pan and fry for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sprouts are nicely browned, then add 100ml of boiling hot water, turn the heat down a little and cook for 3-5 more minutes or until sprouts are cooked through to your liking and there is no more water left.
Notes
If you like this recipe, you are going to love my Pan Fried Sprouts with Chorizo and Almonds – deliciously easy sprouts with a Spanish twist!
Get More Easy Peasy Christmas Recipes here…
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Karen, the next best thing to mummy says
I am not a fan of sprouts but because these look great I will give them a try #brillblogs@_karendennis
Eb Gargano says
I promise you Karen , these are not ordinary sprouts – if you are not a fan of sprouts, these are the definitely ones to change your mind about them – they are unbelievably delicious – and they are even good cold the next day. Eb x
Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food says
I am with you: I adore sprouts. But, alas, I am alone in my family in that regard. Hopefully my hubster will give this recipe a sporting chance, because BACON. And I love that you added chestnuts: this really gives the sprouts a Christmas-ey feel! #cookonceeattwice
Eb Gargano says
Oh that’s a shame…but yes, lets hope the bacon swings it 😀 Eb x
Corina Blum says
I love sprouts with bacon but haven’t tried adding chestnuts to them before. To be honest, I don’t think I have ever used chestnuts in a recipe! I love the sound of this though and will definitely try your sprout frying method. Thanks for sharing with #CookOnceEatTwice x
Eb Gargano says
Chestnuts work really well in this dish…the sweetness balances the nuttiness of the sprouts and the saltiness of the bacon perfectly…you’ve got to try it! Eb x