RHINELANDER - When we take "A Bite of the North," Ryan Michaels and I visit cafes, pubs, breakfast hotspots, but today on Thanksgiving, we decided to do something a little different.

Many of us at the station are here working, and that means we're away from our families.

So we decided to bring some of our family traditions together and host our own Thanksgiving.

In this week's "A Bite of the North," we'll take you into our kitchens and share a recipe from the family of our new meteorologist, Melissa Constanzer.


Melissa's Mom's Balsamic-Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta

This simple one-pan preparation is long on flavor, thanks to the pancetta
and balsamic vinegar. If pancetta is hard to come by, substitute two thick
slices of bacon.

2 ounces pancetta, cut into 1/4-inch dice (about 1/2 cup)
1 to 2 tablespoons canola oil
10 ounces Brussels sprouts (about 18 medium sprouts), trimmed and halved
through the core
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Kosher salt

In a heavy 10-inch straight -sided sauté pan set over medium-low heat,
slowly cook the pancetta in 1 tablespoon of oil until golden and crisp all
over, 10 to 15 minutes.

With a slotted spoon, transfer the pancetta to a plate lined with paper
towels, leaving the fat behind. You should have about 2 tablespoons of fat
in the pan; if not, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Have ready 1/2
cup water. Put the pan over medium-high heat and arrange the sprouts cut
side down in a single layer. Cook undisturbed until nicely browned, add
the water to the pan, cover immediately, and simmer until the sprouts are
tender when poked with a fork or skewer, about 3 minutes. (If the water
evaporates before the sprouts get tender, add more water, 1/4 cup at a
time.) With a slotted spoon, transfer the sprouts to a plate.

Return the pan to medium-high heat and if any water remains, let it boil
off. Add the balsamic vinegar and a few grinds of pepper (see note at
bottom). Boil the vinegar until it's reduced to about 2 tablespoons and
looks lightly syrupy, about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, add the
butter, and stir until melted. Return the sprouts and pancetta to the pan
and swirl and shake the pan to evenly coat the sprouts with the sauce.
Season to taste with salt and more pepper and serve.

Note: You may add about 2 tablespoons of packed brown sugar if you like
when boiling the vinegar.

Story By: Lex Gray & Ryan Michaels