Food | Smitten Kitchen Dijon Braised Brussels Sprouts

Two years ago I tried to make brussels sprouts, and it was highly unsuccessful. Cody said they tasted like dirt, and I reluctantly had to agree. So while we were in Seattle, I took advantage of having my vegan brother-in-law and his, also vegan, girlfriend by my side, and picked their brains in regards to a few food items. They insisted that brussels sprouts should not taste like dirt, and that I should try buying them fresh. I had been wanting to try this recipe for a couple months now because I was going through a weird mustard-craving stage, so I decided I would go on the hunt for fresh brussels sprouts and make it happen.

In conclusion, brussels sprouts are amazing (if you like cabbage), don't, in fact, taste like dirt, and are really easy to prepare. For this recipe, I used milk instead of cream (I wouldn't suggest that), and kept the sauce separate because Cody doesn't like mustard. I'm glad I did that, because it actually tasted better without the mustard. I also used onions instead of shallots. I hope you'll try it! Oh and the leftovers are still good, but you loose the the subtle crunch when they are stored and reheated, so I would recommend making what you can eat for that meal.

Here's to brussels sprouts!

Food | Spicy Gingerbread Cookies

These are the absolute best gingerbread cookies.

Do you have any new recipes to try for the Christmas season?

Friday Food—Apple Muffins

Yes, this week I threw off my lazy streak and decided to take my own pictures. I can't promise that this will always happen, but it does feel nice to be able to share my actual baking endeavors with you instead of writing a few bland sentences and borrowing some photos that look far superior to what I actually made. So if you're interested in making apple muffins, and mine don't look appetizing, click here for the SK photos (and recipe!) and you'll be falling out of your seat they look so good.

What I liked about these muffins? They are simple to make, take ordinary ingredients, you can substitute the buttermilk for plain yogurt, and they taste like apple pie reincarnated as muffins.

I hope you'll try them soon!

Life as we know it.

They make my life awesome. This is what I came home to last night after my workout.

I have opened this little blog post box many times this week, with the intention of blogging about a cute valentine diy or food or e-card, the plans that I have had for meals, the cute pictures of "fat man!"—a new nickname that husband feels is not quite suitable for our slender baby—making it, in my mind, perfect, and all the little in-between-random thoughts that come to mind. So here I am at 10 'til 2 starting a post, that I will finish, even if it takes me all day. Prepare for a hectic conglomeration of everything that I've been storing up the for the past few days.

First on the table, I would like to go to India. I would soak up the exotic food, collect textiles to my hearts content (priority #1) and peruse the colorful markets each day.
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How much is too much to spend on swimwear? As I mentioned on Friday, I've been trying to find a swimsuit, but am completely frustrated by the lack of cute suits of semi-good quality that are less then $100. Old Navy has awesome prices, but lets face it, I need something that is going to have a little support, and last for the next 5 years, since that's about how long I go between swimwear purchases.  Any suggestions of where to shop?

Also, coolest photo series I've ever seen. I like the 3 girls dressed in grass skirts. [via]

Valentine's Day was so much fun. Seb and I went to the grocery together. I shopped for special treats for Cody (and ingredients for dinner!), while Seb bummed in the Moby, sucked on his pacifier and people watched—always a good time.

Dinner was... memorable. In a good way! (Sorry for those of you who don't get the reference) On the menu was fresh asparagus sauteed in olive oil and lemon pepper seasoning, potato pancakes, summer sausage, pumpernickel bread, and cranberry lemon scones, which turned into raspberry lemon scones because I couldn't find any fresh or frozen cranberries. First, I would like to say that these potato pancakes were just as good as any I've had in German restaurants, and second, I would like to say, do not attempt these without a food processor. They are the easiest things in the world to make if you don't have to slave for 40 minutes over a box grater. And now, proof of our feast.

Alright, I'm getting tired. I think that's enough for this post. Watch for some "fat man!" pictures coming soon! ...A quarter 'til 4. Not bad.

Food | My tastebuds would die

I was perusing Smitten Kitchen and stumbled upon this. I think you could knock me over with a feather it looks so good.

Dare I attempt it this week?