Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Crispy Serrano Ham, Melting Manchego Cheese & Sweet Sherry

by Table 301 - The Lazy Goat, Tastemaker in Residence

Serves 4 as a side dish

Ingredients
1 lb of Brussels Sprouts, cleaned and cut into quarters
6 Slices of Jamon Serrano, (or Proscuitto, have your deli clerk give you 6 thinly shaven slices)
1/8 lb piece Manchego Cheese
Salt & Pepper to taste
Light Olive Oil
Sweet Sherry Reduction to taste (recipe follows)

Instructions

1. Toss the quartered Brussels Sprouts in salt & pepper & olive oil. Arrange the seasoned sprouts onto a sheet pan in a single even layer. Roast the sprouts in an oven that has been preheated to 450 degrees for 7 – 10 minutes. You are looking for a golden brown color around the edges of the sprouts.
2. While the sprouts are roasting, render the Serrano ham in a sauté pan over low – medium heat. When the ham begins to release some of its fat into the pan, add 1  - 2 tbs of light olive oil, and increase the heat to medium – high. Continue to cook the ham, much like you would bacon. When the ham is crispy, remove to a plate lined with absorbent towels.
3. When the sprouts come out of the oven, immediately put them into a serving dish. Loosely crumble the crispy ham and mix into the dish of sprouts. Add enough of the sweet sherry to coat the ham and sprouts, or to your preference.
4. With a vegetable peeler, shave the Manchego cheese over the sprouts. 

Sweet Sherry Reduction recipe

Ingredients
1 cup of Fine Sherry
¼ cup of Sherry Vinegar
1 Tbsp Turbinado Sugar

Instructions
Combine all ingredients into a small pot. Put on medium heat and reduce by 75%. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. It will have a syrupy consistency.