Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

I can’t believe Thanksgiving is less than a week away! When it comes to Thanksgiving, it’s all about the sides. You’ve gotta have a great stuffing, potatoes of course, and I always love a delicious veggie side dish. One of my favorite go-tos is this super simple and flavor-packed roasted brussels dish with crispy bacon, pumpkin seeds, and a balsamic drizzle to bring it all together. It’s a super tasty way to get in those veggies that the entire family will love!

Here’s What You’ll Need:

• 1 large bundle of brussels sprouts, de-stemmed and sliced

• 4 pieces bacon

• 1/4 red onion, chopped

• 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds

• 1-2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

• 1-2 tbsp avocado oil

• Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Toss the brussels sprouts in avocado oil, sea salt, and pepper and roast in a preheated 425 degree oven for for 20-25 minutes until browned and crispy.

2. In the meantime, cook up the bacon on the stove top until crispy.

3. Remove the bacon and chop it into small pieces. Remove excess bacon grease from the pan, leaving about 1 tbsp.

4. Cook up chopped red onion and pumpkin seeds for 3-5 minutes in the pan on the stovetop.

5. Once cooked, mix the Brussels sprouts, red onion, pumpkin seeds, and bacon.

6. Serve and top with a drizzle of balsamic. Enjoy!

Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Cottage Cheese and Green Onion Biscuits - Vegetarian + GF

For some reason I've been craving all things comfort food recently, and this morning was no exception. Maybe it's the rainy, dreary weather we've bee having, but I woke up wanting a warm, buttery biscuit. I immediately thought of this cheesy biscuit-like bread with green onions that they serve at a local restaurant. So I figured why not try to make an easy, healthier version that I could enjoy at home.

I decided to swap out cheddar for cottage cheese and thought it would not only bring a great flavor but also a nice consistency. I decided to go gluten free since I have quinoa flour on hand, making them packed with protein between those two ingredients. 

Here's What You'll Need:

-2 cup quinoa flour (plus extra)
-2 tsp coconut sugar
-4 tsp baking powder
-1/2 tsp sea salt
-Two 5.3 oz containers of Good Culture Classic Cottage Cheese
-4 green onions, chopped
-1/2 cup unsweetened cashew milk (or regular or almond milk)

Makes about 10 biscuits

Instructions:

1) Preheat your oven to 450 degrees.
2) Mix together the dry ingredients in a bowl.
3) Add in the cottage cheese, milk, and green onion, and stir with a wooden spoon until a dough forms.
4) Spread some extra flour on a surface, and move the dough on it.
5) Sprinkle some extra flour on top, and knead the dough with your hands until thoroughly mixed.
6) Form the dough in a ball, and roll it out with a rolling pin to about 1 in thickness.
7) Using a biscuit cutter or floured glass about 2 inches in diameter, cut the dough into biscuit-shaped pieces.
8) Place the biscuits onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. 
9) Bake the biscuits in the oven for 15 minutes until golden brown on top.
10) Remove, serve, and enjoy!

I spread some ghee on mine, and it was absolutely perfect! Not into onions? Feel free to swap them out for another ingredient. Let me know how you play around and what you think in the comments below!

Salmon, Onion, Arugula, and Caper Frittata

I very recently used my first cast iron skillet. I know, I know what the hell took me so long? All I have to say is I don't know, and can't we just pretend this didn't happen and you don't know this about me? I'll bring you some yummy cast iron recipes if we can just keep this on the down low... Okay cool.

But seriously, this has been a total life changer. I won this skillet in one of my favorite lady's, Savoring the Flavoring, giveaway. So I pretty much owe her my first born child. All I want to do is cook frittatas and skillet cookies and basically anything that requires being cooked on the stove top and then in the oven. Which brings me to this salmon, onion, arugula, and caper frittata.

Here's What You'll Need:

-6 eggs (ideally pasture raised, organic)
-1/4 cup the milk of your choosing (I went with unsweetened almond milk)
-3 oz cooked salmon (I used grilled salmon from the night before, smoked or baked are also good options)
-3/4 cup arugula
-1/4 chopped onion
-1/4 cup capers
-2 tbsp Fourth and Heart California Garlic Ghee, separated

Serves 4

Instructions:

1) Whisk together the six eggs and milk in a bowl.
2) Heat up 1 tbsp ghee in your cast iron skillet over medium heat and coat the entire pan (so the frittata won't stick).
3) Toss in the onions and cook down for 2-3 minutes mixing regularly to cook evenly and distribute the onion.
4) Add in the second tablespoon of ghee and let it melt.
5) Chop up the cooked salmon and evenly distribute it around the skillet.
6) Toss in the arugula, evenly distributing.
7) Evenly pour in the egg mixture, tilting the skillet to spread it all over.
8) Evenly add in the capers.
9) Cover with a lid and cook for about 3-5 until the sides of the frittata start to cook and stick.
10) Remove the lid, and throw the skillet into the oven on broil and cook until the frittata is fully cooked and a golden brown color on the top (about 5 minutes).
11) Remove from the oven, cut into 4 even pieces, and enjoy!

I topped mine with some sriracha because I like it spicy, but this combo is perfect on its own. Let me know what you think in the comments below!