Month: April 2015

Creamy Roasted Brussels Sprout and Quinoa Gratin

I will be the first to admit, I am the baker, Tyler is the cook. Here is a recipe that we have made twice already because it is so good. Ok, ok Tyler has made it twice (per my request)…I shredded the cheese, that has to count for something.

Creamy Roasted Brussels Sprout and Quinoa Gratin
(adapted from Cookie & Kate)

Ingredients:
1 cup water (or chicken broth if you have it)
1/2 cup quinoa (rinsed and drained)
1/2 lb of Brussels sprouts, quartered
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
pinch of nutmeg
pinch of red pepper flakes
3/4 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
1/2 cup Fontina cheese
1/2 cup milk
2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup bread crumbs

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bring water (or chicken broth) to boil on stove top. Add Quinoa, cover and reduce to simmer for about 10 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. When this is done, keep cover on and set aside.

Coat Brussels sprouts in olive oil, arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet and cook for about 12 minutes.

Brussels SproutsStir in thyme, salt, pepper, nutmeg and red pepper flakes into cooked quinoa. Add milk, shredded Gruyere and Fontina cheeses to quinoa mixture and stir until incorporated.

Spices CheesesOnce Brussels sprouts have been cooked, stir them into the quinoa mixture.

Spread mixture evenly into a deep dish pie pan (or 8×8 baking pan). Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and bread crumbs.

Pre Baked DishBake uncovered for 25 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving (this is the hardest part!)

And there you have it, Creamy Brussels Sprouts and Quinoa Gratin!

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Sunday Mornings

In my opinion, mornings are the best part of the day. I can do almost anything at 5:00am, but at 5:00pm, I start thinking about putting my pajamas and hitting the couch.

There is something to be said about the stillness and quietness of the mornings that I absolutely love. I could go on and on about this, but I will spare you the bore.

tulipsOn Sundays (and sometimes Saturdays), when the weather is nice, the sun is shinning and it is not bitterly cold, I like like going for walks right after the sun comes up. It is seriously one of my favorite things. Usually I go alone, but on the rare occasion that Tyler is awake at this time, he comes too (I think this has happened once in the past year).

Pearl Street I usually stop for coffee and/or breakfast, sometimes I get it to go and enjoy it on my way back, sometimes I bring a book and sit for a while. This morning I stopped in at Spruce Confections, located on the far west end of Pearl St. in Boulder, and got my drink “to go”, as I am in desperate need of a good book and did not have one to bring along!

Spruce ConfectionsSpruce ConfectionsI ordered a vanilla mate latte. The vanilla was homemade and I had never had a mate latte before, so why not. I was a little taken back when my drink came out looking like this.

homemade vanilla mate lattteA couple thoughts rolled through my head, “what is that?” “Is that part of the “mate” style of latte?” “Should I take that out now or when I get home?” “Where is the pretty little design that is usually made when the steamed milk is poured in?!” Of course I could have asked someone behind the counter but I was a little embarrassed, thinking I should know what this is. Come to find out, it was the homemade vanilla (thank you, Google).

On my walk today, I tried to come to a conclusion of why i enjoyed this time so much. Maybe it was the silent streets, maybe it was the sun shinning, maybe it was the fact that I saw only 7 other people on what is usually a very populated street, jam packed with street performers and tourists. I realized, the answer is C “all of the above” (plus many many more reasons).

Pearl StreetSo, cheers to you Sunday morning, its been fun and I am looking forward to our date again next week.

March: That’s a Wrap

Goodbye March, Hello April!

The month of March went by way too fast! And we are already 3 days into April (Yay Spring!) Here is a recap of what we were up to during March

We spent some time in the great state of Florida vacationing and visiting family. I realized how great it is to have the opportunity to get a tan in the month of March…I love the sun, Tyler hides from it.

We started off our trip in Miami. One recommendation for food in Miami is Harry’s Pizzeria. Tyler and I shared the best meal there, and the service was awesome! Thank you Yelp, for the suggestion.

Here we are biking though The Everglades, it was so cool! Defiantly worth the stop at Shark Valley Visitor Center! We saw over 50 alligators, lots of different birds, the weather was perfect, such a fun experience!
Biking through the EvergladesWe spent a night in Naples, Florida which was great. Watching the sunset on over the Golf was breathtaking!
Sunset in NaplesWe spent the next few days traveling to visit family, it was great to connect with them!

Our last night in Florida we spent in Delray Beach. There was something about this town that I really enjoyed. I am not sure if it was the atmosphere, the closeness to the ocean, or the people, maybe all of the above. We ate at a fabulous restaurant that night that I would HIGHLY recommend to anyone that goes to the area. If you are ever in the area, check out DADA.

We made it back to the great state of Colorado, just in time for Pie Day! And to celebrate, I made black bottom oatmeal pie from Smitten Kitchen. O.M.G…so good.
PieTo finish out the month, I went for a solo hike on Tuesday afternoon. It was a perfect 75 degrees out that day and I thought, why not?! Here I am at the summit of Mt. Sanitas in Boulder (Yes, I had someone take a picture of me because I was so proud of myself).
HikeWell March, it was fun, see you next year.