Gratin ala Brussels Sprouts

Description
From my Aunt Maggie's Estate. She is the one that got me used to eating different vegetables as a young child. She had a magnificent garden and was a fabulous cook. This recipe indicates it came from a 1927 Farmer's Almanac. I also make this dish when my pastor comes to dinner, he is a huge sprouts fan.

Ingredients

 * 2 pounds brussels sprouts
 * Â½ pound bacon
 * 1 tablespoon butter
 * 1 cup heavy cream
 * 2 tablespoons fresh bread crumbs
 * 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed

Directions

 * 1) Preheat oven to 375.
 * 2) Prepare the sprouts by cutting a thin slice off the root end of each and then cutting a slit on that end to establish even cooking. In a large pot of boiling salted water blanch sprouts for 5 minutes.
 * 3) Drain, drop in ice cold water and drain again.
 * 4) SautÃ© bacon until limp, not crisp.
 * 5) Drain and coarsely chop.
 * 6) Mix the sprouts and bacon together and spread the mixture in a buttered gratin dish.
 * 7) Pour cream over the sprouts and bacon mixture.
 * 8) Dot with bread crumbs and butter.
 * 9) Bake for 20 minutes or until hot.

Contributed by
Cat's Recipes Y-Group