2 pounds Brussels sprouts
1/2 pound applewood smoked bacon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Clean the sprouts by removing the outer leaves and cutting an "X" in the trimmed stem, approximately 1/8 inch deep. Blanch the sprouts in salted, boiling water until tender and shock in ice water to cool and retain color. Cut the bacon into a medium dice and sauté in a cast-iron skillet until it is about halfway cooked. Add the drained sprouts and toss with the bacon; place the pan in the oven and cook until heated through. Serves 8.