Tonight I got it in my head to make two new side dishes (veggies) that I had read recipes for in a food magazine that Ben's mom ordered us. They both turned out so well!
The meal:
 |
| Clockwise from the left - TJ's Harvest Grains, Sesame Ginger Broccolini, and Warm Brussels Sprout Salad |
1. Trader Joe's Harvest Grains mix. Let me say that I think that it is freaking AMAZING! It has quinoa, baby garbanzos, Israeli couscous, and two kinds of orzo (red pepper and spinach enriched). So easy to make - just cook in broth (I used veggie) for 10 minutes and voila! It's a dry good found near the soups and pastas. Definitely try it.
2. Warm brussels sprouts salad. I love brussels sprouts. I've never cooked them like this before, and really liked them prepared this way.
Recipe:
Ingredients: Brussels sprouts, salt, pepper, olive oil, lemon, parmesan cheese.
Directions: Cut brussels sprouts into shreds. To do this, cut off the stem, halve it, then cut lengthwise so they are small strips. Heat oil on low, put BS into the oil, season with salt and pepper. Toss well and stir over heat for 10-15 minutes. Take off heat, squeeze some lemon over it, then top with a bit of parmesan cheese when you serve it warm.
3. Sesame ginger broccolini. You can also use this with broccoli or baby broccoli. It takes a little more effort than the sprouts, but is delicious!
Recipe:
Ingredients: broccolini, sesame seeds, olive oil, water, fresh ginger, garlic, soy sauce.
Directions: Toast sesame seeds first, heating over low and stirring frequently. Set aside. Cut broccolini off stalks. Heat about 2TBP of oil, then add broccolini, along with 1-2 garlic cloves and 1 piece of fresh ginger, cut into strips. Put a couple tablespoons of water in and cover. Cook for 10-12 minutes (or until desired consistency), stirring every couple minutes. Pour 1-2tsp of soy sauce in, stir and cook for about 3 more minutes. Stir in sesame seeds and serve.
4. And for dessert, apple crunch pie! I usually make this as apple crisp (no crust), but wanted to try Trader Joe's pie crusts, so I adapted it. So delicious, especially with vanilla ice cream, also from TJ's. We have had a lot of apples from going picking at Eckert's, so I've been making stuff with them.
Recipe:
Ingredients: apples (any good cooking apple - I've used jonathan, honeycrisp, and fuji), brown sugar, white sugar, lemon, oats, cinnamon, nutmeg, flour, salt, butter. Pie crust optional.
Directions:
1. Peel apples and slice into thin slices. It's hard to say how many you'll need because they vary in size so much. I usually throw them into whatever pan I am using and keep going til it reaches the top. This recipe fits a standard size pie pan or a square glass baking pan.
2. Pour apples into a bowl. Add 1TBP lemon juice, 1/4 cup white sugar, and 1/2tsp cinnamon. Toss and set aside.
3. Mix the following ingredients in a mixing bowl: 3/4 cups brown sugar, 2/3 cup flour, 1/2 cup oats, 1tsp cinnamon, 1/4tsp salt, 1/4 tsp nutmeg. Add 3/4 of a stick of cold butter and mix with a mixer until it gets a crumbly texture.
4. If you're using a pie crust, put it in the pan and pour the apples in. If not, pour the apples directly into the pan. Sprinkle crumbly mixture over the apples.
5. Bake for 30-40 minutes at 375. Check the apples to see if they are cooked. Can cover with foil or other top to help it bake through.
6. Serve warm with ice cream!
