Roasted Holiday Brussels Sprouts

A delicious recipe for Roasted Holiday Brussels Sprouts, which I modified from a recipe I found online to make it more festive.

Roasted Holiday Brussels Sprouts Yum

A delicious recipe for Roasted Holiday Brussels Sprouts, which I modified from a recipe I found online to make it more festive.

Prep Time

15

Cook Time

20

Servings

Ingredients

2 pounds brussels sprouts halved, stems and ragged outer leaves removed*
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup chopped dried cranberries
1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Prep Time

15

Cook Time

20

Servings

Ingredients

2 pounds brussels sprouts halved, stems and ragged outer leaves removed*
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup chopped dried cranberries
1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
In a large bowl, toss brussels sprouts with 2 tablespoons olive oil, kosher salt and pepper.
Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Put the brussels sprouts evenly spaced on the baking sheet.
Roast the sprouts, stirring occasionally for even browning. They are done when until tender and caramelized, about 20 minutes.
Place brussels sprouts back in bowl. Add remaining tablespoon olive oil, balsamic vinegar, cranberries, and walnuts and toss to coat evenly.
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, then serve.

Recipe Notes

*If you have some brussels sprouts that are very large, cut them into quarters. The pieces will cook more evenly if they are all about the same size.

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Rockin’ Red Super Smoothie

You can make this versatile super smoothie at home in less than 10 minutes. It’s great for a light meal replacement or a post-workout recovery.

This smoothie is LOADED with super-nutrients. I drank one after a 3-mile run and it kept me sated for about an hour.

Rockin’ Red Super Smoothie Yum

Course

Main Dish

Prep Time

10 minutes

Servings

smoothie

Ingredients

1 Tbsp Chia seeds
3/4 Cup Coconut water or plain water
3/4 Cup Blueberries
3/4 Cup Fresh Beets, cooked (leftovers perhaps?)
1/4 Cup Red cabbage chopped
2 Tbsp Parsley
4 oz Applesauce or half an apple, chopped
1/8 tsp Turmeric
1/8 tsp Ground cinnamon
1 tsp (heaping!) Spirulina
6 Ice cubes

Course

Main Dish

Prep Time

10 minutes

Servings

smoothie

Ingredients

1 Tbsp Chia seeds
3/4 Cup Coconut water or plain water
3/4 Cup Blueberries
3/4 Cup Fresh Beets, cooked (leftovers perhaps?)
1/4 Cup Red cabbage chopped
2 Tbsp Parsley
4 oz Applesauce or half an apple, chopped
1/8 tsp Turmeric
1/8 tsp Ground cinnamon
1 tsp (heaping!) Spirulina
6 Ice cubes

Instructions

Soak chia seeds in 3 T of water while you prep the smoothie. They should soak for about 7 or 8 minutes, until they get gelatinous.
Put the remaining ingredients except the ice cubes in your high-speed blender.
When the chia seeds have formed a gel, add them to the blender, then add the ice cubes on top.
Blend according to your blender’s instructions.

Recipe Notes

If you use an apple instead of applesauce, you can use every part except the stem. Yep, seeds and all. Just make sure you wash the apple before using it to get rid of any remaining pesticide residue.
If you use too much parsley you will taste it. you want just enough to be beneficial (great for bad breath) so a couple of tablespoons should do it.
If you have never tried spirulina, I highly recommend it. It is a true superfood. It doesn’t have an appealing taste all by itself, but it is perfect for smoothies.

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Quick Low Calorie Breakfast Burrito

Posted on February 28, 2014March 17, 2018 by Lisa P

We have this wonderful Mexican takeout place near our house that has breakfast burritos that are to die for. Unfortunately they pack a punch when it comes to calories. If you prefer the same taste without the guilt, here’s a low calorie breakfast burrito I came up with that I think you’ll really like. Continue reading “Quick Low Calorie Breakfast Burrito” →

10 Minute Farro Salad

Posted on July 6, 2013December 19, 2017 by gch_admin

The 10 minutes is a bit misleading. It refers to the type of farro I used: Trader Joe’s 10 Minute Farro. The actual recipe takes about 30 minutes. It’s best if you let it sit for about an hour after you’ve made it just to let the flavors blend. You could chill it or leave it out at room temperature.

Ingredients:

1 bag Trader Joe’s 10 Minute Farro
1-1/2 C frozen corn
2 large carrots
1 beet
1 large sweet onion
2 stalks of celery with leaves
1 green pepper
1 jalapeño pepper
1/4 cup EVOO
6 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
Coarse salt & fresh ground pepper
1 tsp Herbs de Provence (or other favorite herb blend)
Optional: crumbled feta, avocados, or sliced olives for garnish

Instructions:

Add the bag of farro and 2 cups of water to a pan and turn to high. When it boils turned down to simmer and cover. After 10 minutes remove from heat, add the corn on top, re-cover and let sit for five more minutes.

While farro is cooking, coarsely chop celery, carrot, onion, beet, jalapeno. Add celery and beet pieces to a large bowl. Set the rest aside.

When farro is done, drain and add to the bowl with the beets and celery.

In the same pan in which you cooked the farro, add 2 tablespoons of the oil and turn heat to medium. Sauté the pile of chopped vegetables for about five minutes, then add them to the bowl along with the rest of the oil and vinegar. Season with salt pepper and seasonings and mix well.

Chill in the fridge for about an hour or so and, if desired, top with crumbled feta and olives just prior to serving. Serve with grilled chicken sausages and a side salad. Or omit the sausage and add a can of drained black beans or chickpeas for a wonderful vegetarian meal.

Power Smoothie Recipe with Beets and Ginger

Posted on July 3, 2013January 6, 2018 by Lisa P

This power smoothie is surprisingly good considering the amount of bitter greens. The recipe makes three big servings so definitely reduce the quantities if you’re only making it for yourself. It seems like a lot of ingredients because it is! Of course any of the smaller items (lime, ginger, chocolate, almonds, etc) are all optional. Just don’t remove large amounts of wet ingredients or you’ll be adding water to get it thin enough to blend properly (let alone drink!).

1/3 honey dew melon, seeded and rind removed
2 dozen (or so) red grapes
1 stalk celery with leaves
1 piece of lime or lemon
1 fresh beet
1 banana
2-3 C pre-chopped mixed greens (turnip, mustard, collard, etc.)
1″ piece of fresh ginger
1″ piece of 100% chocolate
1/2 C oats (preferably gluten-free and organic)
1/2 C acai or other juice
1/3 C chia seeds
handful of almonds
1 tray of ice cubes

The night before, soak the chia seeds and almonds in the juice. Peel and coarsely cut the beet and the ginger and toss all that in there as well. Stick it in the frig.

In the morning, you’ll want to process the watery items (melon, grapes, celery) first. You can choose to chop them in to smaller pieces if you like but you really don’t need to if you’re using a power blender, like Vita-Mix or Blend-Tec. So throw that watery stuff in there and blend it on low for 15-20 seconds to get it broken down.

The chia/juice mix will be kind of solid, so scrape that into the blender container next.

Then add everything else. The order doesn’t matter much but I usually put the dry stuff (oats) in last, and then the ice cubes on top.

Process on high (according to your blender’s instructions), tamping it down as needed to get it going. Blend for about 45 seconds or so and then pour and drink right away.

Yoatmelon Breakfast smoothie

Posted on May 3, 2013January 6, 2018 by Lisa P

1/2 cup grapes
1 thick wedge honeydew melon without rind or seeds
1/2 stalk of celery
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon Chia seeds
1/4 cup quick cooking oats uncooked
Small wedge lime without peel
1/2 tray of ice cubes

Put everything in a vita mix or very strong blender in the order listed. Start on low and then increase speed to high. Blend for one minute. Pour into your favorite tall glass and enjoy.