Osso's Jerky and Sprouts

• servings: 4
• total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

20 Brussels sprouts, halved lengthwise

2½ ounces beef jerky, sliced to about ⅛ inch

3 tablespoons sriracha

2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

½ tablespoon table salt

Directions

1. Set a large frying pan to medium-low heat, and line the pan with oil.

2. Carefully place as many Brussels sprouts as possible in the pan, keeping them flat side down.

3. Allow the brussel sprouts to slowly, heavily darken on one side; this should take about 10 minutes per batch.

4. When the sprouts have become tender, remove them from the heat and place them in a large bowl.

5. Reduce the heat in the pan to low, and add the jerky. Cook until slightly tender, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add the jerky to the bowl with the Brussels sprouts. Add sriracha, honey, butter, and salt.

6. Toss until the Brussels sprouts are evenly coated, and serve.

Notes

Jerky is very popular in these parts. It is a survival food for rugged highland travel, to be sure. However, jerky doesn't have to be tough and tasteless. The kitchen of the Hanged Man is run by a no-nonsense fellow named Osso, the lone survivor of a traveling caravan brutally set upon by wargs. Prior to that, he spent years on the road as a cook for his comrades, and early on discovered how to turn jerky into something palatable. Osso's solution: fry it with Brussels sprouts and slather with a hot chili sauce, honey, butter, and salt. These savory vittles are ideal to take on a trek through the mountains.