Brussels Sprouts Gratin

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180C.
2. Prepare the brussels sprouts by cutting a thin slice off the root end and then cutting an X in that end so it cooks evenly inside and out.
3. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, blanch sprouts until they are crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.
4. Drain, refresh in cold water, and drain again. (Do not let the sprouts sit in water for more than a minute.)
5. In a non-stick fry pan, sauté the bacon until cooked, not crisp.
6. Mix the sprouts and bacon together and spread the mixture in a buttered gratin dish (or casserole dish).
7. In a bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
8. Pour cream over the sprouts-bacon mixture and sprinkle over the bread crumb mixture. Bake for 20 minutes or until crispy and golden on top.