Brussels sprouts with bacon & chestnuts

Method

• step 1

  Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil, then tip in 1¼ kg trimmed brussels sprouts. Once back to the boil, cook for 5 mins. Drain, run under the cold tap until cold, then drain again.

• step 2

  Heat a large frying pan, add 6 rashers smoked streaky bacon, cut into bite-sized pieces, and gently fry for 10 mins until crisp and golden.

• step 3

  Tip out of the pan, leaving the fat behind, then add 200g chestnuts and fry over a high heat for about 5 mins until tinged. Tip out of the pan.

• step 4

  Add the brussels sprouts to the pan with a splash of water, then cover and finish cooking over a medium heat for about 5 mins, stirring now and again, until just tender.

• step 5

  Uncover, turn up the heat, then add most of the 50g butter and sauté the sprouts for 2 mins more.

• step 6

  Tip in the bacon and chestnuts, season generously with salt and pepper, then serve with the last knob of butter on top.