With the holidays upon us, I have been eager to cook festive foods that reflect the cheer of the season. We recently bought cranberries with the intention of making cranberry sauce, Orange-Cranberry Bread, and Thanksgiving Leftovers Turkey Salad. One day, I noticed the bag of leftover cranberries next to a bag of brussels sprouts and I realized they might work well together.
Most recipes online that combine cranberries and brussels sprouts involve using the sugar-sweetened dried cranberries or add lots of sugar or honey to mix to counter the tartness of the cranberries. I was determined to create something that tastes great without the added sugars.
This recipe came together after just one less-than-perfect experiment and a few recommendations from Brent. As the whole dish cooks, the balsamic reduces and adds its own sweetness. Coupled with the sweet and nutty pecans, the whole dish comes together with a nice balance of sweet, savory, and tart. Plus, it’s beautiful!
