Trim the sprout bases, remove damaged outer leaves and halve larger sprouts.
Bring a large saucepan of lightly salted water to the boil. Add the sprouts and simmer for 4–5 minutes, until just tender with a little bite. Drain thoroughly and leave to steam-dry.
Put the bacon into a large frying pan over a medium heat. Cook for 7–10 minutes, stirring regularly, until cooked through and crisp at the edges.
Stir in the butter and chestnuts. Cook for 2–3 minutes, turning gently so the chestnuts keep some texture.
Add the drained sprouts and cook for another 3–5 minutes, tossing gently until piping hot and lightly golden in places.
Add black pepper, taste before adding salt—the bacon may provide enough—and transfer to a warm serving dish.
Tips, preparation and allergens
Best results: Drain the sprouts well before adding them to the frying pan, and keep their cooking time short so they retain their colour and bite.Prepare ahead: Trim the sprouts and chop the bacon the day before, keeping them separately covered in the fridge. Use ready-cooked chestnuts to save time.Dietary and allergen notes: Contains milk from butter. Check the bacon and chestnut packaging for additional allergens. Not vegetarian.Timings: Timings are approximate.