Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Brussel Sprouts

 

Serve these for an appetizer at your holiday dinner/party or tailgating event.

Bacon Wrapped-Stuffed Brussel Sprouts

18 large Brussels sprouts, stem ends trimmed and loose outer leaves discarded

4 ounces of cream cheese or goat cheese, at room temperature (I used cream cheese)

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

9 bacon slices, halved crosswise

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Fill a large pot halfway with water and bring to a boil over high heat.  Add the Brussels sprouts and cook for 2 minutes to blanch. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain in a sieve. Pat the Brussels sprouts dry with paper towels or a kitchen towel. Using a paring knife cut an “X” in the top of each Brussels sprout, cutting halfway down through the sprout.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Blend the cheese and garlic in a small bowl. Spoon the cheese mixture into a small resealable plastic bag. Cut a small hole in one of the bottom corners of the bag. Place the cut out corner of the plastic bag in the “X” of each Brussels sprout and squeeze in a dollop of cheese mixture.

Wrap a piece of bacon around each sprout vertically, covering over the cheese. Place on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle the oil over the sprouts and sprinkle with the pepper.

Bake the sprouts, flipping them over halfway through the baking time, until the bacon is evenly browned, 25-30 minutes.