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Pomegranate Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Rice

Brussels sprouts are roasted to perfection with red onions and bacon and then tossed with tender Carolina Basmati Rice and a pomegranate dressing before being roasted a little more in this flavorful dish perfect for the holidays.

This post was sponsored by Carolina Rice, but all opinions are my own.

Pomegranate Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Rice

As much as I love Halloween — and I really do love it all: the costumes, the candy, the merriment — once it passes, I can’t help but get swept up a little in the spirit of the harvest and Thanksgiving. Especially now, when my kids and I live so far from our family, I appreciate what Thanksgiving has come to mean: a chance to be together with your a family — however you define that — and share a meal, hopefully a few laughs and remember all that which you are grateful for.

This year, I have so much to be grateful for. My kids are happy, healthy and settled into our new life in Maine. They’ve made friends, are thriving at school, have found joy in new experiences and discovered a love of the outdoors. And nearly 18 months after making the move for my dream job, I still love it and am challenged by it daily. This year, I became a cookbook author as well, fulfilling a life dream.

I am lucky to have family and friends that have supported me and cheered me on — even when it meant moving six hours away.

And I am fortunate to have found myself in a time and place surrounded by people who help bring happiness, light and joy to my life. Days are punctuated with the brilliance of smiles and the melody of laughter, just as it should be. The kids and I? We’re happy.

As Thanksgiving approaches, I am also thinking about dishes that can be perfect for any holiday menu — whether you celebrate Thanksgiving early or late, many times or just once, or all of the above with a variety of people.

Pomegranate Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Rice Recipe

This dish brings together some of my very favorite flavors for Thanksgiving and makes a wonderful side dish for any celebration or gathering his holiday season.

Fresh Brussels sprouts are roasted to tender perfection with sweet red onions and salty bacon. Then it’s tossed with tender, prepared Carolina Rice Basmati Rice and a light pomegranate dressing. After it’s baked a little more, it’s served with a hearty sprinkling of pomegranate arils.

The resulting dish — Pomegranate Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Rice — is a symphony of flavors, both bold and nuanced, that are best experienced together. You want to fork a little of the bacon with a piece of Brussels sprouts, some rice and a bit of onion and aril. The flavors will come together, with the cool, slightly sour pomegranate bursting forth.

Carolina Rice

Basmati rice is perfect for this since it’s a long grain rice that isn’t sticky, so it will really mix well with veggies in this. Be sure to wash it well to remove starch before cooking.

And when it’s all over and you pack up the leftovers — if you have any — don’t be afraid to sneak back to the kitchen for a few more mouthfuls. This dish can be served hot or room temperature. It’s okay cold as well, but I think the flavors come together a little better when it’s not completely cold.

So, tell me about your Thanksgiving plans this year? Are you sticking with traditions or having a crazy, mixed-up, multiple dinners on different days Thanksgiving instead? Or something completely different?

Pomegranate Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Rice

Pomegranate Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Rice

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Carolina Basmati Rice
  • 1 lb Brussels sprouts. trimmed and halved
  • 1 red onion, , sliced and quartered
  • 4 slices thick-cut bacon, , chopped
  • salt and pepper, , to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the rice according to package directions.
  2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  3. In a 9x11-inch oven safe baking dish, combine the Brussels sprouts, red onion and bacon. Stir well to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring once or twice, until the vegetables are tender and lightly browned.
  4. Stir the cooked rice into the prepared vegetable mixture.

Kate

Wednesday 11th of November 2015

I will take brussels sprouts any way I can get them!

Sarah Walker Caron

Saturday 14th of November 2015

Me too! Well, except boiled.

Sara

Monday 9th of November 2015

This looks great, I'm a huge brussels sprouts fan and I love that you served them over rice!

Jennifer Stewart

Monday 9th of November 2015

I too have a life long dream of a cookbook. I am working toward that goal every day. I am starting with an ebook this Christmas. Good luck with your first Winter in Maine! Moving is fun but cold weather is crazy! BTW this recipe has my three favorite thins, brussels, poms, and rice!! Yeah!!

Sarah Walker Caron

Tuesday 10th of November 2015

Thanks, Jennifer! We survived our first winter ... curious what our second will bring this year!

Melissa Falk

Monday 9th of November 2015

Great recipe! Looking forward to adding this to my brussel sprout rotation. Thanks!

Des @ Life's Ambrosia

Monday 9th of November 2015

I love roasted brussels sprouts and pomegranate! I never would've thought to put them with rice. Nice way to make it a meal!

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