Christmas Memories

Every year on Christmas Eve, we ate dinner, decorated the Christmas Tree, and opened all the presents except the ones from Santa.  And every year, my dad insisted we had brussel sprouts for dinner. Ewww!  My one required brussel sprout would sit on my plate, and my dad would say, “We are never going to get to open the presents because someone isn’t eating their dinner”.  Eventually, my grandmother would snatch it off my plate when nobody was looking. 
Skip to many years later.  I was dating my husband and bringing him home for Christmas.  I share the dreaded brussel sprouts for dinner story.  He lights up!  He LOVES brussel sprouts!  I tell him, “You don’t like brussel sprouts.  You just like the Cheez Whiz”. 
To which he answers, “It’s not Cheez Whiz.  It’s Velveeta”.  That has since been my answer to a lot of situations - “It’s not Cheez Whiz.  It’s Velveeta”.  lol!! 
Recently, we were at a restaurant called Sidewinders American Grill and my husband ordered the brussel sprouts.  I would like to point out that I have known him for 11 years and he has ever only eaten brussel sprouts on Christmas Eve and Easter.  So, I was mildly surprised.  They didn’t even have Cheez Whiz on them.  They were in a Parmesan sauce with bacon. 
He asked me if I wanted to try one, so I got on my big girl pants and grabbed one.  It was good!!!  I like brussel sprouts!  I like them Sam I Am!!  I will eat them with a goat.....That’s not true.  I liked that one brussel sprout that ONE time, but seriously.... I don’t really like them.  However, I would like to make a version for my husband, because he really does like them.  He also likes Cheez Whiz. 
I started by crisping up some bacon, then made a rue.  I didn’t have Parmesan cheese, so I used Asiago cheese to thicken the rue up.  I prettied it up with bacon and more cheese.  Isn’t it pretty?  Give it a try!  It’s better than Velveeta! 
Brussel Sprouts in Asiago Sauce 
3 slices bacon, chopped in small pieces 
8 oz. Fresh brussel sprouts 
¼ cup flour 
1 ½ cups milk 
½ cup Asiago cheese, grated 

1.   Fry up the bacon and discard all but 1 Tbsp of fat. 
2. Steam brussel sprouts.  The restaurant left them crunchy, but we like them soft.  Do it the way you like best. 
3. On medium heat, sprinkle the flour over the bacon fat and whisk it to soap up flavor.  Slowly pour in the milk while whisking.  bring to a boil and cook until thickened.  Add the grated cheese. 

1. Pour over brussel sprouts, sprinkle with bacon, and a pinch of grated cheese.   

1. Eat on a boat, moat, mountain, or wagon.... JK