Simple Roasted Brussels Sprouts

If you'd told me 2 years ago to that I would love Brussels sprouts I would have laughed in your face. Then a friend made them for a pot luck. I was hooked! Since then I've tried a couple of recipes and found this combination to be the "one" for me. And the key to it is using a cast iron skillet. Although you can roast Brussels sprouts on a baking sheet or in a baking dish, I highly recommend a heavy skillet made of cast iron!

Ingredients: 

• 1 pound Brussels sprouts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• pepper to taste 
• 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, shredded

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place cast iron skillet in oven to heat while you prep your Brussels sprouts.
2. Peel off outer leaves on Brussels sprouts, rinse in cold water, cut off stem and chop in half.
3. Mix Brussels sprouts with olive oil in large bowl and zip lock bag, coating the sprouts well.
4. Remove the skillet from the oven and pour Brussels sprouts inside, carefully placing them chopped-side down. Season with pepper.
5. Roast for 20-25 minutes, turning the sprouts over halfway through.
6. Once you have removed from oven, top with Parmesan cheese and serve hot.

Fresh Quinoa Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 cups water
• 2 cubes or 2 teaspoon chicken bouillon
• 1 clove garlic, smashed
• 1 cup uncooked quinoa
• 1/2 large red onion, diced
• 1 large green bell pepper, diced
• 1/3 cup black olives, chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh mozzarella, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh chives, chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Heat water with chicken bouillon and garlic - bring to boil. Add quinoa and reduce heat. Simmer for 20 minutes or until quinoa is tender and water is gone. Remove from stove and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes.

While quinoa is cooking, chop onion, bell pepper, olives and mozzarella. Stir in 2 quart bowl and add basil and chives. Top with lemon juice, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and salt.

Add cooled quinoa and stir together. Chill in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve. 

Optional: Add cooked chicken to make this a main course.

Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients:

• 1 large sweet potato
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons dried basil

Directions:
Peel sweet potato and cross-cut into fries. Put inside ziplock bag; add olive oil and basil and shake to mix. Bake on an ungreased baking sheet for 10 minutes at 375 degrees; turn potatoes over and cook for another 10 minutes. Broil for an additional 2-3 minutes for crispy fries.