Reinvent Your Vegetables

Happy 2012 everyone! Now that the Holiday season is behind us, I can finally get back to blogging and the hustle and bustle of real life. As the New Year arrives, people (including myself), usually stress about coming up with the perfect New Years resolution(s). Here are mine:

1. Go out to eat only 1-2 times per month
2. Make vegetables more exciting
3. STOP PROCRASTINATING (unfortunately, I think I have set myself up for failure with this one)
4. Take time to get ready each day.

So far, I have been pretty successful with number four. I got new makeup for Christmas and have been dedicated to spending the extra time each morning "putting my face on", as I have heard it put. It definitely does make a difference in the way I feel throughout the day.

I have definitely been experimenting with number two, and have a couple recipes to share with you guys!


Green Beans Almondine:

This is truly one of my favorite vegetable recipes and I don't even like green beans.
- Clean and cut green beans
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
- Lay slivered almonds in a pie tin or a baking sheet, bake for 10-15 (until browned)
- Place green beans in boiling water until they are cooked the way you prefer.
- Leaving the green beans in the pan, add 1/4 stick of butter and squeeze about 2 tbsp of lemon juice  over them.
- Stir until butter is melted
- Add slivered almonds and serve.

This recipe is certainly not set in stone, and I never use actual measurements. Green Beans Almondine is so easy and honestly changed the way I look at green beans. Your guests will be impressed too!

Shredded Brussel Sprouts and Bacon

- Start by shredding Brussel Sprouts (I did about 5-6 per person) and used my awesome  Palm Peeler, which makes the job so much easier
- Heat up 2 tablespoons of EVOO and add the shredded Brussel Sprouts
- Saute in oil on low for 10-15 minutes
- Add a teaspoon of minced garlic towards the end
- Add 1/4 stick of butter, stir until melted
- Squeeze about 2 tablespoons of lemon juice in the pan, remove from heat
- Stir in chopped bacon - really as much as you would like

We tried this for the first time last night and it was so easy and tasted amazing! My husband said he did not like Brussel Sprouts, but this recipe won him over!

mmm....