Bacon Brusselsprouts Au Gratin

Add the cleaned and halved brusselsprouts to a 9x13 baking dish.

Dice the bacon. Add half of the bacon to the brusselsprouts.

In a small bowl mix together the maple syrup, mustard, salt and pepper. Pour over the brusselsprouts. Mix well and bake for 30-40 minutes until the brusselsprouts are tender and the bacon is cooked. Mix the brussels and bacon halfway through cooking to ensure the bacon is evenly cooked.

While the brusselsprouts are baking in the oven, prepare the cheese sauce and cook the remaining bacon.

Cook the other half of the bacon in a pan over medium heat until crispy, for the topping. After cooking remove the bacon to a paper towel lined plate to drain and set aside. Alternatively, cook the bacon in the oven. You want some crispy bacon for the top to finish it off.

Then, add the butter to a large saucepan over medium heat. When melted, sprinkle over the flour and whisk until the flour is fully incorporated into the butter and the butter has small bubbles.

Slowly pour the milk into the pan while whisking constantly until smooth and no flour lumps remain.

Raise the heat to medium high. Add the mustard powder, paprika, nutmeg and more salt and pepper to taste. Add 1/2 cup of the cheese and continue whisking until the cheese is melted and the sauce thickens and then remove from heat.

When the brusselsprouts are finished baking, give them a stir and pour over the cheese sauce. Mix everything together. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over top along with the cooked bacon and return to the oven to melt the cheese.

Serve immediately while warm.