Minted Strawberries

This is one of my all-time favorite ways to enjoy fresh strawberries.  They're so simple to make, yet they feel so gourmet.  Serve them at any meal, or even as a light dessert.  Spearmint is the way to go for most recipes, but if you can find a chocolate mint plant, that works especially well here.

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• vanilla sugar https://amzn.to/2Hg9l3K

• paring knife https://amzn.to/2Q3Cbam

• cutting board https://amzn.to/2VjbtLy

• ramekins https://amzn.to/2E8gIbw

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Minted Strawberries

makes 2 servings

Printable Recipe

Ingredient

• 8-10 ripe strawberries, chopped into bite-size pieces

• 1/2 - 1 teaspoon vanilla sugar, depending on how sweet the berries are (or white granulated sugar)

• 2 fresh spearmint leaves, sliced into thin ribbons (or try chocolate mint)

Directions

1. Combine all the ingredients together; stir to coat and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes, or until the strawberries start to release their juice.

2. Stir again and serve. Chill leftovers.

Caramelized Brussels Sprouts

I usually make Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts, but I wanted to try something different this time.  Thanks to Pinterest, I found this recipe - the combination of pecans, garlic, and brown sugar might sound a bit odd, but it works.  In fact, it works so well that my vegetable hating picky eater helped himself to 3 servings.  Use the feed tube of a food processor to quickly slice the sprouts into ribbons - once you have that done, the dish is complete in less than 10 minutes.  Don't let my horrible nighttime photo scare you away - give this one a try!

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• mini mandolin slicer https://amzn.to/2W6N1BW

• food processor https://amzn.to/2Vzhd91

• 12-inch cast iron skillet https://amzn.to/2VBQVDl

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Caramelized Brussels Sprouts

makes 4 servings

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 12-14 large Brussels sprouts

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• pinch sea salt

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• 1/4 cup roughly chopped pecans or walnuts, toasted

Directions

1. Using a hand held mandolin or food processor, shredded the Brussels sprout very thin..

2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and saute garlic for 30-60 seconds.

3. Add the Brussels sprouts and salt; saute for another 5-6 minutes until the sprouts are bright green and tender.

4. Add the brown sugar and pecans: stir together well and serve immediately.

adapted from Eat, Live, Run