Christmas Brussels Sprouts in Riesling Wine

Serves 8

Ingredients

1 1/2 lb Small Brussel Sprouts -prepared.

6 fl oz (175 ml) Riesling wine

4 oz (110grms)Smoked Bacon Rashers with rind 

1 Level dessertspoon  of butter

2 Shallots -Finely chopped

1 Clove Garlic-Crushed

Salt  & Freshly milled black  pepper.

Method

If you can get tiny sprouts for this recipe it's so much better,but in any event they should be tight and firm and not too large .

1-Cut the rinds off the bacon rashers and in your very largest frying pan melt the butter over a gentle heat.

2-Keeping the heat to a minimum ,add the bacon rinds to the pan let them gently cook & release their fats into the butter.

3-Meanwhile snip the bacon rashers into small pieces ,then add them to the pan along with the shallots and garlic to begin cooking.

4-Whilts  all thats cooking ,place the sprouts in a steamer ,sprinkle with salt and steam them over boiling water for 4 minutes  or so ,which should be enough just to half cook them.

5-Turn up the heat under the frying pan ,add the sprouts and toss them around for 2/3 minutes  or until they begin to take on a little colour, Now turn up the heat  to HIGH .pour in the wine and let it bubble and  reduce while you constantly turn the sprouts over and over to soak up the flavour of the wine.

As soon as the sprouts are tender and the wine reduced to about 2 tablespoons transfere to a serving dish add a little freshly milled pepper & serve .

An easy tasty dish ,which your guests will love.