Bratwurst with Brussels Sprouts and Brown Rice

When the covid-19 pandemic started impacting the residents of Hawaii and the stay-at-home order was put in place, I was a lot more concerned about food than toilet paper.  I already had a lot of toilet paper at home because I had purchased a Costco pack back in late January, so I had enough to last me for at least 3 months, if not more.

In my mind, I thought I needed a lot of food that was shelf stable and would last me a long time because I wouldn't be able to get out of the house to get anything.  I purchased a lot of rice, bread, crackers, canned tuna and chicken, chips, cookies, and other assorted junk.  My body responded negatively to all the junk.  It was not pleased and made it clear by making all my clothes tight. 😢

Most of my posts are delayed.  I usually don't post pictures or videos on the same day that I made the dish because I need time to edit and make it look the way I want because I am a control freak and it needs to be the way I want it.  Sorry, not sorry.  Then sometimes I'll notice a typo or grammatical error and won't bother to correct it. 

With that being said,  this dish was made when I was eating rice.  I'm currently on a Whole 30 journey which eliminates grains, dairy, legumes, alcohol, and sugar.  I miss bread the most.  As of today (5/27/20), I'm on day 18/30, so I'm almost there.  I can do this!

Watch me prepare this.

IG: @abundanceofvegetables 

IG post of this video: Bratwurst w/ Brussels Sprouts and Brown Rice (sped up for IG)

YouTube post of this video: Bratwurst with Brusssels Sprouts and Brown Rice (full video with captions)

Air Fried Brussels and Bacon

I recently found out that the link I had on my Instagram bio wasn't working.  I don't know when it started being faulty.  Sorry about that.  It should be working now.

I love making things with a small amount of ingredients.  This one just calls for three.  All the flavor comes from the bacon. Mmm, mmm, mmm.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 package bacon
• 2 cups brussels sprouts (rinsed, trimmed, and cut in half)
• 1/4 large red onion, chopped

Instructions:

1. Place bacon in air fryer pan in one layer and air fry for 10 minutes at 400 degrees.
2. Remove bacon and cut into 1/4 inch pieces.
3. Pour bacon fat from air fryer onto brussels sprouts.
4. Add chopped onions and chopped bacon.
5. Toss everything together well.
6. Put it all in the air fryer and air fry for 20 minutes at 400 degrees, shaking halfway through.
7. Serve.

IG: @abundanceofvegetables
IG post of this video: Air Fried Brussels and Bacon (sped up for IG)
YouTube post of this video: Air Fried Brussels and Bacon (regular speed full video)

Brussels Sprouts with Caramelized Onions and Parmesan Cheese

I recently saw someone post a picture on Instagram of brussels sprouts with caramelized onions and wanted to try something like that.  This experiment was quick, easy, and delicious and I had all the ingredients on hand.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
• 1/2 large onion, sliced
• 4 cups brussels sprouts, rinsed and trimmed
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Prepare ingredients as described above (trim, slice, etc.)
2. Melt butter in large saucepan.
3. Add garlic. Stir until fragrant.
4. Add Brussels sprouts.
5. Add onions.  
6. Stir.
7. Cover and let cook for about 3 minutes.
8. Add Parmesan cheese.  
9. Stir, cover, and let cook for 3 more minutes or until tender.
10. Serve.

IG: @abundanceofvegetables
IG post of this video: Brussels Sprouts with Caramelized Onions and Parmesan Cheese 

Salt & Pepper slow cooker chicken with Parmesan Brussels sprouts

Salt & Pepper slow cooker chicken with Parmesan Brussels sprouts

I was told that the chicken doesn't look appetizing because it looks like it was just boiled and is bland.  The skin and bones were removed before the picture was taken.  So it's realistic for me to present it to myself this way.

I have posted pictures of chicken with skin on before and I agree that it does look more appealing.  But in real life, I will peel it off and not eat it. Maybe next time I should leave the skin on and just "do it for the gram" so that it looks yummy.

Ingredients for Chicken:

• 5 chicken thighs
• Dash of salt
• Dash of pepper
• 2 Tablespoons garlic, minced
• 3 bay leaves

Instructions:

1.  Place chicken thighs in slow cooker pot.
2.  Add remaining ingredients on top of chicken, spreading seasonings evenly.
3.  Cook on low for 6 hours.

Ingredients for Parmesan Brussels sprouts:

• 2 cups brussels sprouts
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
• 2 Tablespoons parmesan cheese
• Dash of dried parsley
• Dash of ground pepper
• Dash of salt

Instructions:

1.  Place brussels sprouts in a large bowl (to allow space for tossing)
2.  Add remaining ingredients and toss well.
3.  Air fry at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.

IG: @abundanceofvegetables

IG post of this video:  Salt & Pepper slow cooker chicken with Parmesan Brussels sprouts

Brussels Sprouts with Seaweed and Jalapeno Aioli

Brussels Sprouts with Seaweed and Jalapeno Aioli

I recently dined at an Italian restaurant in Honolulu called Vino.  One of the dishes we tried was the Brussels Sprouts. The sprouts were tender on the inside with a crispy outside, tossed in a konbu aioli with pistachio nuts and garnished with pickled red jalapenos. Delicious!

You can view Vino's menu at the link here: https://vinohawaii.com/

It inspired me to try making a seaweed aioli with roasted seaweed snacks because I have those at home for snacks.  I trimmed, boiled, and airfried the sprouts with some olive oil.   

I overcooked the Brussels sprouts 😒The flavor was good, but I boiled them a little too long before throwing them in the airfryer. So the texture was too soft.

🥬 🌊Ingredients:
Brussels sprouts
Olive oil
Mayonnaise
Seaweed snacks
Jalapeño

Vino's dish was way better, of course. I had never thought to put seaweed with Brussels sprouts beforehand. The red, pickled jalapeño in Vino’s dish also added a wonderful pop of color and flavor.

IG: @abundanceofvegetables
IG post of this video: Brussels Sprouts with Seaweed