Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

I had this as a side dish with Skillet Pork Chop Saute with Peaches, and the flavors went together really nicely. The other two variations below sound really good too, so you have no excuse to not eat your Brussels sprouts! :)

YIELD: 4 servings (serving size: about 1 cup)

Ingredients:
3 slices center-cut bacon, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 1/2 cups sliced onion
1/3 cup fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth
1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved

Preparation:
1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bacon; cook 7 minutes or until crisp. Remove bacon from pan with a slotted spoon; drain.
2. Add thyme and onion to pan; sauté 3 minutes. Add broth and Brussels sprouts; bring to a boil. Cover and simmer 6 minutes or until crisp-tender. Sprinkle with bacon.

Nutritional Information:
Amount per serving
Calories: 81
Fat: 1.5g
Saturated fat: 0.5g
Monounsaturated fat: 0.1g
Polyunsaturated fat: 0.2g
Protein: 6.1g
Carbohydrate: 13.7g
Fiber: 4.9g
Cholesterol: 4mg
Iron: 1.8mg
Sodium: 101mg
Calcium: 58mg
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Sesame, Garlic, and Ginger variation: Omit bacon and thyme; use 1 tablespoon dark sesame oil in place of drippings. Use 1 cup chopped onion; add 2 teaspoons minced ginger and 1 minced garlic clove. To finish, add 1/4 cup sliced green onions and 1 tablespoon lower-sodium soy sauce. Yield: 4 servings. CALORIES 107; FAT 4g (sat 0.5g); SODIUM 181mg

Garlic and Pecorino variation: Omit bacon; use 1 teaspoon olive oil in place of drippings. Use 1 cup prechopped onion; add 6 sliced garlic cloves. To finish, add 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons shaved pecorino Romano cheese. Yield: 4 servings. CALORIES 115; FAT 4.7g (sat 1.1g); SODIUM 156mg