roasted brussels sprouts

Brussel sprouts may have been your childhood nightmare, but now that you know how to roast them properly, you'll have to change your ways!

Ingredients:

• approx. 1 1/2 lb brussels sprouts
• 2 1/2 Tbl. olive oil

• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. ground black pepper

1. While the oven is heating up to 400° F cut the brussels sprouts in half & place them in a single layer on a baking sheet
2. Sprinkle the sprouts with the olive oil, salt & pepper, & and toss them with your hands so they're evenly coated
3. When the oven is hot, pop the baking sheet into the oven for 10 minutes
4. After 10 minutes, stir the brussels sprouts around & place them back in the oven for another 10 minutes, or until they're tender & slightly blackened 

fried pickles

Are you hungover? Is it the Super Bowl? Maybe a combination of both? Fried pickles are the answer.

Ingredients:

• Your favorite kind of pickle- chip cut
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup rice milk

• 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
• 1 cup canola oil

1. Start by placing the flour, rice milk and bread crumbs all in separate dishes

2. Pour the oil into a large skillet or wok, and heat on high

3. Coat the pickles by dunking them in the flour, then the rice milk, and finally the bread crumbs

4. Toss the breaded pickles into the hot oil and fry approximately 1 minute on either side, or until they're golden brown

5. Serve with ranch dressing, and gobble them down- nom nom nommm

curried lentils

I love lentils, because they're high in protein, easy to make, and I can eat the leftovers for a full week!
Oh, and did I mention they're delicious too?

Ingredients:

• 1 yellow onion chopped
• 1 Tbl. olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic diced
• 1 Tbl. curry powder
• 1 tsp. turmeric
• 1 tsp. cumin

• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• 3/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 cup dried lentils rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes drained
• 4 cups water

1. In a large skillet, sauté the chopped onion in a little olive oil, until the onion is soft
2. Throw in the diced garlic, and cook it with the onion for about 1 more minute
3. Stir in all the spices- the curry powder, turmeric, cumin, salt, chili powder & cinnamon & give it a good stir so the onion & garlic mixture is coated
4. Add in the rinsed lentils, diced tomatoes, 4 cups of water, and let the entire concoction simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender, and most of the water has been absorbed
5. When the lentils are soft, season it to your liking, serve it up & then gobble it down :)

happy holidays 2012

'Tis the season for a ridiculous holiday card from the roommate & I :)

May your holiday season and new year be full of love, joy & brains.
Happy holidays, everyone! 

southwest tofu scramble

Whenever my family is looking for a healthy hearty brunch option, we often make a tofu scramble- loaded with protein & veggies, you won't even miss the eggs

Ingredients:

• 1 block firm tofu- drained & pressed
• 1 Tbs. olive oil
• 1 soy chorizo sausage- chopped
• Any vegetables you have in your kitchen- chopped

• 1 Tbs. cumin
• 1 tsp. garlic salt
• a dash of salt & pepper
• 1 tsp. Tabasco hot sauce (optional)
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

1.While the tofu is being squeezed, chop up the vegetables you have on hand- for example, we used onion, carrot, broccoli, red bell pepper & mushrooms, since that's what we found in the fridge
2. In a skillet, heat the olive oil & sauté the chorizo about 1 minute
3. Add all the chopped vegetables to the skillet & sauté until tender
4. Crumble the tofu with your fingers into the pan & season with all the spices & Tabasco
5. When the mixture is seasoned to your liking, sprinkle the cheddar cheese on top & let it get a bit melty before plating it up!

 Serve with a side of salsa & your mom's favorite, generic, frozen hash brown patty- yumm! :)

overnight apple raisin chia seeds

It might look strange, but chia seeds make a completely delicious, protein-packed breakfast on the go

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbs. chia seeds
• 1/2 cup rice milk
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

• 1 Tbs. raisins
• 1/4 apple diced
• a drizzle of honey

1. Measure out all your ingredients
2. Place everything except the honey into a mason jar or glass bowl, give it a good stir & let it sit over night
3. In the morning, top the mixture with a drizzle of honey & gobble it down with a spoon!

spaghetti squash

Fall is the perfect time to enjoy seasonal gourds & spaghetti squash is one of the best!

Ingredients:

• 1 spaghetti squash
• your favorite pasta sauce
• parmesan cheese (optional)

1. While your oven is preheating to 400° F, slice the squash in half & scrape out the seeds
2. When the oven reaches temperature, place the squash cut-side down in a glass baking dish & fill it with about 1/4" water
3. Bake the squash for 40 minutes, or until it's soft enough that you can easily insert a fork into the rind
4. When the squash is ready, remove from the oven & use a fork to scrape away the cooked squash, which will fall away into noodle-like strands
5. Top with your favorite sauce & a little bit of parmesan cheese- dig in! :)