Bacon-Wrapped Brussels Sprouts with Creamy Lemon Dip

Ingredients

18 medium Brussels sprouts (about 1 1/2 pounds)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
One 12-ounce package center-cut bacon (about 18 strips)
1/4 cup pure maple syrup, plus 1/2 cup more for serving
1/2 cup mayonnaise
Zest of 1/2 lemon, plus 2 teaspoons juice
Crushed red pepper flakes


Directions

Watch how to make this recipe.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Trim the stem ends from the Brussels sprouts, and halve lengthwise. Put them in a medium bowl, and toss with 1 teaspoon salt.

Lay the bacon strips next to each other on a work surface. Brush liberally with about 1/2 the maple syrup, then halve crosswise. Wrap each Brussels sprout half with 1 strip of bacon, syrup-side out, so the seam is on the flat side. Place the sprouts seam-side down on a rimmed baking sheet, leaving a bit of space between them. Brush them with a bit more syrup, and grind a little black pepper on top. Roast, rotating the baking sheet halfway through, until the bacon is crisp and the sprouts are tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, mix the mayonnaise, most of the lemon zest and all the lemon juice in a small serving dish. Sprinkle the remaining lemon zest on top. Put about 1/2 cup maple syrup in a second small serving dish, and stir in as much black pepper and crushed red pepper flakes as you like.

Transfer the sprouts to a platter, and serve with the lemon mayonnaise and peppered maple syrup, for dipping.