Entries Tagged as 'sides'

Spinach and Brussel Leaf Salad

01/07/2014

Spinach and Brussel Leaf Salad

Spinach and Brussel Leaf Salad

Spinach and Brussel Leaf Salad

Hey y’all!! I’m back FINALLY! So sorry for that super long sabbatical. December was an incredibly hectic month to say the least. Between wrapping things up at work before the holidays to bouncing from one side of the country to the other makes things difficult.  But, nobody likes excuses, so nevertheless I’M BACK and ready to go!  I truly hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Years. This year is going to be great…I just know it! I hate New Years resolutions because I can’t stick with them and normally forget what my resolution even was to begin with. I’ve really got it together if you can’t tell. I have made one resolution that I am going to stick with no matter what: I’m going to stay consistent and bring the most amazing posts everrrrr (well, I’m sure our ideas of amazing might be slightly different, but you feel me). That’s not an impossible resolution. I mean it’s not like I’m promising to go to the gym 6 times a week.

My darling husband is one of the best gift givers in the history of ever.  He got me several cookbooks, all of which I had on my secret wishlist that no one knew about. He’s just that good. One book in particular was a book from The Sprouted Kitchen. I haven’t had tons of time to look at it, but from what I’ve seen so far, it’s amazing. While scanning through it one day, I came across a recipe that I’m literally obsessing over right now. It’s not something I would typically go for but it was rather intriguing to me. I will be the first to admit that I absolutely do not like brussels sprouts. Never have, and honestly thought I never would. Then along came this recipe and it rocked my taste buds. I’m a brussels sprout fan and I don’t care who knows! I’ve changed some things around to better suit my liking and it’s phenomenal. I want to eat it every single day until the end of time. Did I happen to mention it’s like the fastest cooking meal of all time? I will never bad mouth brussels sprouts again as long as I live.

1 lb. of brussels sprouts, trimmed and leaves separated
3 1/2 c. baby spinach leaves
3 cloves garlic, minced
bacon bits
extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp. white wine vinegar
1 tbsp. organic agave nectar
Parmigiano Reggiano, for topping
sea salt + pepper, to taste

Warm olive oil a large pan over low-medium heat.
Add garlic to pan and cook for about a minute or so.
Add in brussel leaves and saute for about 30 seconds.
In a small bowl, mix together vinegar and agave nectar and add to pan.
Toss to coat.
Add spinach and bacon bits to pan and cook until just wilted.
Top with Parmigiano Reggiano and salt + pepper (if needed) and serve immediately.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from The Sprouted Kitchen Cookbook

Spinach and Brussel Leaf Salad

Spinach and Brussel Leaf Salad

Spinach and Brussel Leaf Salad

salad servers – IKEA | bowl – Christmas gift from my AMAZINGLY thoughtful brother [handmade in an Ecuador market] – similar here |
Pot holder – West Elm

Candied Sweet Potato Rounds

11/28/2013

Candied Sweet Potato Rounds

Candied Sweet Potato Rounds

Candied Sweet Potato Rounds

Happy Thanksgiving, y’all! I’ve been so excited and anxious for this time to finally arrive! I can’t wait to practically eat my weight in all the Thanksgiving food goodness. I’m spending this evening and tomorrow morning wrapping up my additions to this wonderful feast (’cause I’m a last minute girl – it’s just what I do). This recipe I’m sharing with you today is one I’m rather fond of, and I hope my family will be also! It’s a bite-sized treat that will make you smile with satisfaction. I’m a big promoter of sweet potatoes. I’m blaming it on the fact that I have a sweet tooth the size of Texas. At least it’s something healthy though, right??

Try not to overindulge on all the food tomorrow, but most importantly, enjoy the company you spend the day with. Treasure the moments and give thanks for the people that surround your dinner table.

2 sweet potatoes, slices into rounds
2 tbsp. coconut oil, ,melted
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. pecan halves
1/2 c. dried cranberries

for pecans:
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. cane sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 c. milk
1 tbsp. vanilla

Heat oven to 400 degrees. In a bowl, whisk together coconut oil and brown sugar.
Place sliced sweet potatoes on a parchment-lined backing sheet.
Brush coconut oil and sugar mixture on both sides of potato slices.
Bake for 15-20 minutes.
Once done, flip potatoes and bake again for about 12 minutes or until they turn a more golden brown.
Let cool slightly.
While potatoes are in the oven, prepare the pecans.
Mix salt, can sugar, cinnamon, milk together in a medium bowl. Bring mixture to a slight boil, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat and add vanilla and the pecan halves. Stir them in until pecans are evenly coated.
Remove coated pecans from mixture by using a fork and place them on a sheet of wax paper.
To assemble, top each caramelized potato with cranberries and candied pecans.
Enjoy!

Candied Sweet Potato Rounds

Candied Sweet Potato Rounds

Candied Sweet Potato Rounds