1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. Line a heavy-bottomed pan with tinfoil so it doesn’t char. Then pour in wood chips and spread them evenly along the bottom.
3. Drop a steamer tray directly on top of the wood chips and place the cubed bread on the steamer tray. Note: if you don’t have a steamer tray, you can make your own out of tin foil with small holes poked in it.
4. Cover the pan and put in on the stove on high heat. Let it reach a full smoke before turning off the stove and letting the smoking bread rest, covered, for about 10 minutes.
5. While bread rests, strip the Brussels sprouts of their outer layers of leaves and set the leaves aside. Then chop them into very thin slices. Toss the thinly sliced Brussels sprouts in a mixing bowl by hand to further pull apart the layers, so that the result almost looks like coleslaw before it’s dressed.
6. Pro tip: When prepping the Brussel sprouts salad, use a WÜSTHOF CLASSIC Santoku Hollow Edge 7- inch to carefully slice off the tough woody stems of the Brussels sprouts, since it will make it easier to separate the shredded layers later. Hold the sprout between your thumb and forefinger so that the cut- side faces the palm of your hand. In your other hand, make a series of 1/4-inch cuts, beginning at the top of the sprout and working towards the base. The grooves on the Santoku knife’s blade decrease the chances that the sprouts will stick to the knife while the thinness of the Santoku blade and the straight edge work together to speed up the chopping process.
7. In a separate mixing bowl, toss the reserved leaves in 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and season with salt to taste. Spread the seasoned leaves on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and cook in oven until crispy, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.
8. Turn the oven temperature down to 350 degrees.
9. Toss the almonds with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the chili pepper. Season with salt and spread them on a baking sheet. Toss the smoked bread in 1/4 cup of olive oil and salt, then spread on a second baking sheet.
10. Roast both the almonds and the smoked bread in the oven for about 10 minutes or until lightly toasted. Pro tip: look for a light, golden brown color and then pull them out!
11. Make the dressing by putting all remaining ingredients except for the oil and thyme in a blender and blending until fully incorporated and smooth in texture.
12. With the blender still on, slowly pour in the remaining olive oil in a light stream. Once the dressing has emulsified, add the thyme leaves and pulse 2 to 3 times to incorporate.

To Serve:

1. Toss the Brussels sprouts, bread, and thinly sliced pear together in a big mixing bowl. 2. Add dressing, salt to taste, and garnish with almonds.
2. Serve alongside a chilled glass of Kung Fu Girl Riesling.