Dinner Sides.... and Mommy Time!

Here's another awesome Nom Nom Paleo recipe for you. This recipe is very easy, and all over the internet but this was the book I used!

I made garlic mashed cauliflower for dinner the other night and promised the recipe, so here it is!

You will need:

1 Large Cauliflower head, cut into uniform pieces

Kosher Salt

5 Garlic Cloves

2 Tablespoons ghee (or fat of choice- I used coconut oil)

Black Pepper freshly ground

1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg (optional)

Since I am a slacker in the kitchen and also don't own all of the equipment (which I hope to buy eventually) that means anyone can do this! haha. 

1. Fill a large stock pot with an inch or two of water and fit a steamer insert in the pot. (Okay, I have NO idea where our steamer insert went, so I have to buy a new one....but til then I just followed directions, minus the insert....I literally threw the cauliflower pieces in there and it was fine.) Cover the pot and place it on a burner set on high.

2. Season cauliflower pieces liberally with salt. When water is at a boil place cauliflower and garlic into the insert. Or just throw it in the pot like weirdo me........ Put a lid on it and steam for 10 minutes. It wont overcook!

3. Drain cauliflower and garlic into a colander. Put into a food processor (we don't have one yet, so I used our trusty ninja blender. I use this thing for everything and I LOVE it!) outfitted with a chopping blade. Add the ghee, and pepper to taste, and add nutmeg if desired. Pulse everything until smooth. As she says in the book "Don't overdo it champ, we're not making soup!"

ENJOY!

Another side we had this week was Balsamic Garlic Brussel Sprouts

I made these before from some amaaaaaazing recipe I found online once, now I cant seem to find that one again so I recreated my own. Kyla, Dan and I loved them! Landon.....he doesn't like anything green unless it's Ice Cream!

What you need: 

Brussel Sprouts - as many as you want! We had maybe 15 total in this batch?

Balsamic Vinegar (I have the spray, and it is awesome!)

Minced Garlic - I'd say about a tablespoon, depending on how much you like garlic

Kosher Salt

Olive Oil

1. Wash the sprouts, cut the stem area off (it's really gross to chew- trust me!) but keep enough on so they don't totally fall apart, and then cut each one in half.  

2. Heat up a skillet on medium-high heat and coat the bottom with olive oil. I didn't measure, I just poured it in and threw the pan around a little until the bottom was covered. You don't need a ton! 

 3. Toss in the garlic, saute that for a few minutes, til it browns a little. Then throw in the brussel sprouts.

 4. Toss them around with a spatula for a minute to spread out the garlic and oil. Spray (or pour) a good amount of vinegar on and grind on some salt. Don't be afraid of the vinegar part, it smells strong, but it cooks in nicely. Keep flipping these around every few minutes. I roasted them for about 15 minutes in the pan. At the middle and end of cooking I sprayed more vinegar on.

(I promise I will start measuring things haha!)

They were SOO tasty!!!!

And just for something other than food, I got to do a few fun things the last couple days. I finished the spring semester of school, with good grades I might add :) Finals week was a bitch, but I got through it! Now I have FIVE. WEEKS. OFF!!!! It's a miracle!

 I went to the gun range to complete my CCW class (with my girlfriend Michelle). I passed, woohoo ;) My family is pro 2nd amendment. With massive amounts of safety attached to that approval. Safe, legal owning/carrying of weapons is not something we frown upon. Especially considering the hubby was (is- always) a Marine.

Then Michelle and I celebrated.....

On Thursday Dan and I went on a date to Johnny Mango in Ohio City. It was awesome. I had a mango long island...YUM. And gluten free pad thai. Their WHOLE menu is labeled whether things are GF or not. That's awesome, btw! And later that night I walked into a tattoo shop after church band practice and walked out with a new little tat. Which would make it my 7th. Most of my tattoos are easily covered, so this was my 2nd really visible one.... Look out.... I'm a badass???? haha ;) just kidding!

But I kept looking at my wrist lately when I drive and thought I needed a reminder there. I need a reminder to think about God and to pray and to be a good person in His name. So I got this teeny little cross :)

Have a beautiful Mother's Day to all the mommas out there!!!!

Xo Emily