Ingredients:
1 pound brussel sprouts, tips cut off, discolored leaves removed and sliced in half
(smaller sprouts are better than large)
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt
2/3 cup fresh cranberries (or 1/3 cup dried cranberries)
1/3 cup crumbled gorgonzola or goat cheese
1/3 cup freshly toasted pecans
1 1/2 cups cooked barley, reheated
1 tablespoon maple syrup, or more to taste
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, or more to taste
Preparation:
1. Preheat your broiler.
2. Set a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat on the stove. Let it heat up for 2 to 2 minutes. It should be so hot that a few drops of water sizzle and quickly disappear after contact.
3. In a medium sized bowl, toss the prepared brussel sprouts with olive oil and salt. Toss well, so that the sprouts are evenly coated in a thin layer of oil.
4. Once the pan is hot, dump the sprouts into the pan and quickly rearrange them so the flat sides are faced down. Let them cook for two minutes.
5. Toss the fresh cranberries into the pan and transfer the pan to the broiler. The pan will be heavy and hot so use oven mitts and be careful! Let the brussels sprouts broil for about 3 minutes. Check the sprouts for doneness- their tops should be a little browned and the bottoms caramelized. How long you should leave them in there depends on your preferences and your oven. The cranberries should have started popping by now; set the hot pan on your stovetop for a couple of minutes while you reheat the barley.
6. Toss the warm barley, sprouts, cranberries, cheese and pecans in a bowl and drizzle with balsamic vinegar and maple syrup. Season with salt, divide into smaller bowls, and enjoy!
