Month: May 2014

Brussels Sprout Slaw

I wish the long Memorial Day weekend continued forever, but alas, I return to the weekday routine. A number of highlights from the weekend… My mom bought a new car, which is significant because she gave me her old one! My family enjoyed Sunday Night Supper at The Bachelor Farmer (we love the place). Finally, I attended my first Twins baseball game of the season. Also, the weather was perfect all weekend, never a given.

After eating a few foods I shouldn’t have (these Texas Sheet Cake Cookies, for example), I enjoyed the light and refreshing Brussels Sprout Slaw. It works as a side dish with dinner or to bring to a party, if you do that sort of thing.

Another note is that I used my brand new mandoline for the salad! It worked very well, and I’m excited to use it again.

Brussels Sprout Slaw

4 cups shaved Brussels sprouts

1/4 cup olive oil

juice of 1 lemon

2 tsp red wine vinegar

1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese

1/4 cup chopped almonds

salt and pepper

Using a mandoline, shred Brussels sprouts. In bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, and red wine vinegar. Add shredded Brussels sprouts to dressing and stir to combine. Add parmesan cheese, almonds, salt, and pepper, again stirring to combine. Serve immediately or store in refrigerator.

Cauliflower Crust Pizza

It’s that time again… Meatless Monday! It’s also time that I start interning full time and hanging out with my family. I took a one week break between finishing finals and beginning the job, and it was a long week. I loved the time and freedom, but I look forward to structure and business work will provide.

Cauliflower Crust Pizza is a favorite at my house, as it offers a low-carb pizza option. I like to make the margherita pizza detailed in this recipe, but I also tried a traditional cheese pizza for one of my picky eaters. However, margherita remains a favorite.

You should probably eat the pizza with a fork rather than pick it up. I’ve seen it picked up before, but I prefer the cleaner option of silverware. Also, the pictures show the pizza on foil. I only used foil because we were out of parchment paper, but I prefer parchment.

Cauliflower Crust Pizza

Servings: 2 Prep time: 40 minutes

2 cups cauliflower, grated

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese

1 egg

1 cup crushed tomato

fresh mozzarella cheese

10 large fresh basil leaves

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line two pizza stones or pans with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray. Set aside. Grate cauliflower and pat dry with paper towel to remove moisture. Mix cauliflower, grated mozzarella, and grated parmesan. Slightly beat egg and add to cauliflower mixture. Divide crust in half and spread onto each piece of parchment paper, about 1/4 inch thick. Bake crust for 12-15 minutes, until it begins to brown. Remove crust from oven and add crushed tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, salt, and pepper. Return to oven and bake for 10 minutes.

Guacamole

Guacamole is a great summer dish! I’m back in Minnesota for the summer, but summer has yet to arrive in the midwest. Which is why I’m happy to say that, in my book, guac is actually a year-round specialty. I love making this for company because usually even the pickiest of eaters enjoy the guacamole, as do sophisticated foodies.

I look forward to devoting more time to cooking this summer, and I have many tasty dishes planned. The next Meatless Monday dish is Cauliflower Crust Pizza. In the meantime, I’ll make many batches of guac, tripling or even quadrupling the recipe (I promise I’ll share when I quadruple it, maybe when I triple it)!

Avocados make or break the guacamole, so choose ones that are a bit squishy but still firm to the touch. Then, grab your favorite tortilla chips and enjoy!

Guacamole

2 medium avocados

1/4 cup onion

1/2 tsp lime juice

1/2 tsp season salt

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp garlic

cilantro, to taste (I like a slightly strong cilantro taste and I use 1/4 cup)

tortilla chips

Combine all ingredients in mortar or bowl. Using pestle or fork, roughly mash the avocados and other ingredients. Taste and adjust seasoning. Dip chips in guacamole.

Note: I find that using a mortar and pestle makes the guacamole more creamy, but if you like chunkier guac, stick with a bowl and fork.