Hey, it's Recipe Thursday!

JCbride2015

I'm thinking of the recent thread about which foods we wish we had tried sooner.  So what is your favorite recipe you wish you had tried sooner?

I only recently started eating brussels sprouts.  Recently I made them with bacon... cooked in the bacon fat... and it was JUST SO GOOD.

Ingredients: about a pound of brussels sprouts, cut in half

Three or four bacon strips

1 tablespoon of butter (optional)

ETA: Salt and pepper (optional, sprinkle on at the end)

Cook the bacon in a large skillet until crispy.  Remove the bacon but leave the bacon fat.  Chop the bacon roughly and set aside.  Keep the pan over medium heat and add a pat of butter if you're feeling really saucy.  Place all the brussels sprouts cut side down in the pan.  Cook for several minutes until the sprouts are caramelized and browned on the bottom (5-8 minutes).  Then cook for about another 2 minutes, stirring the sprouts around the pan, until you can stick a fork all the way through.  At the last minute of cooking, mix the bacon bits back in.

This isn't exactly a healthy way to eat veggies, but damn it's tasty.

pinkcow13

It is so funny you posted that recipe, because I was going to say brussels sprouts too! I actually made them last week! But I cheated - I got the ones from TJ's that are pre seasoned. FI was NOT happy when he saw I made us brussels sprouts lol. I told him to pretend they were calamari. They were awesome .

My favorite recipe now is my Zucchini Squash casserole! I never used to eat zucchini squash, but now I am obsessed with the little suckers! FI also hates when I incorporate this lol. He loves his non veggie sides.

Recipe:

1 or 2 zucchini squashes

2 links of hot (or any desired kind) italian sausage (can also substitute for kielbasa/chicken sausage)

Half a white onion sliced into chunks

Half a green pepper sliced into chunks

Oregano

1 can tomato sauce

I first start out by cooking the sausage for about 10 minutes. In the mean time, I cut the ZS (Zucchini Squash) into thick slices. Once the sausage is browned, I toss that into a baking pan (Coat the bottom with olive oil), along with the ZS, onions, peppers, and then I add the tomato sauce and mix it all up. I season with some oregano, and any other seasoning you may like ( I add a packet of Goya sazon, adobo, crushed black pepper). I cover it with aluminum and toss it in the overn for about 30 minutes. I then take off the aluminum, mix it, and let it cook opened for the last 10 minutes. Then, ready and serve!

I like this meal because I try not to eat carbs after lunch. FI loves sausage, and I don't make it all the time (since it is not the leanest of meats), but I think this meal works as a good compromise with us. Sometimes I will also make a side of spinach and kale salad. 

Cookie Pusher

I actually roast my brussels sprouts with potatoes, bacon, and whatever other vegetables I have that are good for roasting (zucchini, asparagus, bell peppers, etc.) in the oven. FI seriously never ate vegetables before he met me, and he eats the hell out of my roasted sprouts. I generously season with garlic powder, salt, pepper, and parsley flakes for super awesome flavor.

loro929

Great post! The Brussels sprouts recipes sound delicious... Now I am having a BS craving.

I think they will be on the menu for something or other this weekend. I usually just boiled them and added some butter, but the bacon fat seems like the way to go (isn't it always!) 

One of my favorite (and simplest recipes) is delicious and great for when you don't really have a lot of time. It's a pasta with broccoli with a small twist.

 Ingredients: 1. Large head of broccoli 2. 1/2 lb. whole what pasta (for this I think penne works best) 3. 2 anchovies (in oil) 4. Extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper. 

How to: Bring salted water to a boil. In the mean time, clean and cut broccoli down, add to pot. In a frying pan generous coat with evoo, add diced anchovies, let rest on the lowest setting your stovetop allows. When the broccoli seems about half way cooked, add in the pasta and cook according to instructions. When cooked, drain and add pasta and broccoli directly into frying pan. Coat with oil mixture. Serve by topping with Parmesan or grana Padano. Delicious!

jenna8984

I've never had brussel sprouts- they are one of the only foods on the planet my parents won't eat so I just never got the chance to try them. The bacon one sounds amazing but FI and I are on super diet mode so that can't happen for a few months...our only "treats" to ourselve have been a subway sandwich once a week lol

But I'm obsessed with this new sauce I found online- 1 avocado, 1 plain greek yogurt, teaspoon garlic, teaspoon lemon juice. Blend in magic bullet/ food processor or if the avocado is ripe enough you can just mix it with a spoon. I've been putting this in tacos/ wraps instead of sour cream and as a spread over chicken breasts (after they're cooked). Soooo freakin good.

 

JCbride2015

Great recipes ladies!  @jenna8984 I also use a similar avocado sauce on pasta, so you get that creaminess without the dairy.

ETA: my version has no yogurt, just avocado blended with lemon juice and garlic, salt and pepper.