Brussels Sprouts Pasta Salad

Ok, I usually wouldn't post a recipe with iPhone photos but this one is just such a perfect one for long weekend entertaining that I had to just post it. Our current absolute favorite salad. You heard that, FAMILY favorite. Even with the 2 and 5 year olds at the table. We completely lucked out with our girls being like their mamas and salad lovers. Actually they prefer all raw veggies (I am working on introducing more cooked veggies on nights that I cook them for dinner) but they get so excited about salads that I can't complain.

This one is so easy, and can really work with so many different variables (switch out turkey bacon for the real stuff, or grilled chicken or make it vegetarian with some tofu). But the dressing is the KEY. Best part is I made it ahead of time and then dressed the salad before serving.

Toss together

Bag of Shredded Brussel Sprouts

Bag of Chopped Kale (massage well with olive oil, makes a HUGE difference in taste)

Bag Broccoli Slaw

Bag of Fresh Spinach, finely chopped

Frozen Corn ( I sautéed it with ghee & a little sea salt, and let it cool)

Package of Turkey Bacon

Cherry Tomatoes ( I cut them in half so they are easier to eat)

Pasta Cooked al dente (I used a box of elbows, but any bite size pasta works)

Lemon Vinaigrette

1 part Apple Cider Vinegar

1 part Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 part Agave (maple syrup works too, just use less and I always taste as I go)

juice of 1 lemon

Mix it all together! This makes a big portion, and enough for salads for the week. We like to switch up the dressing up every week to keep salads interesting. Also, I use a mason jar to make the dressing because I can mix and store it right in there.

I hope you guys like this salad as much as we do, perfect for all spring and summer long.

xoxo

Natalie

#dishes #summer #salad #veggies

Favorite Sheet Pan Dinners

If you follow me on Instagram Stories you know my complete obsession with both the Instant Pot and sheet pan dinners! Well or IP top broke and well I have had to revert back to old cooking methods and need the sheet pan dinner is back in winning status.

Here are 15 tried and true (6 I plan on trying!). I love that the oven heats up the kitchen, the cleanup is easy peasy and it's pretty fast!

I usually set the girls up with some water colors or a before dinner activity and then get to chopping.

1. Sheet Pan Harissa Chicken, With Chickpeas and Sweet Potatoes

2. Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Parmesan Chicken & Veggies ( I added zucchini, peppers and onions to this)

3. Chili Lime Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas (also include whatever veggies are in my fridge and top over salad for me, serve with white rice for the girls)

4. Sheet Pan Flank Steak Garlic Potatoes ( made this with sweet potatoes, which I toss in salt, pepper, 2 tbsp of agave and paprika: SO GOOD)

5. Sausage & Peppers Sheet Pan, I make this every other week, always with peppers and onions, I add zucchini, green beans, broccoli and sweet potatoes) easily served with fresh spinach or over a grain for the girls.

6. Sheet Pan Tandoori Chicken bowls

7. Sheet Pan Feta Stuffed Greek Burgers (I add a few salmon burgers to this !)

8. Asian Chimichurri Salman ( I use to make this with Japanese Sweet Potatoes & red peppers )

9. Carne Asada Fries ( I use to make a version of these with Sweet Potato Fries & Asparagus, so gooooodddd)

Want to try these:

1. Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil

2. Sheet Pan Bruschetta Chicken & Veggies

3. Beef & Broccoli

4.Sheet Pan Asian Stir Fry

5.Sheet Pan Eggs In A Hole

6. Easy Sheet Pan Italian Sliders

Hopefully these will inspire a little meal planning and prepping for next week!

Happy Thursday my loves!

xoxo

Natalie

#dishes

Toddler Approved Salmon Cakes

Hey hey, this post was suppose to go up Wednesday but mama is a walking Zombie, we made them today again to shoot for the blog.

The girls favorite night is when we have enough time to cook together and since little Miss Ami is feeling so much better we just enjoyed it all so much. Ahhhh so hard for out tiny humans to not feel well! Here is to maybe just maybe kicking this virus out of our home!!

One of the goals I have for the DISHES part of this blog is to share more of my pantry staples and what I do with them. You know the things you keep in your pantry to ensure you can always whip a healthy meal everyone will eat? Well canned wild salmon is one of the things I always make sure I have a few of. I swear it is a LOT better than it sounds, very similar to tuna and so many of the nutrients I like to fill our bellies with.

Sometimes I just sauté and add to rice, top a salad with it but most recently I have been making these little salmon cakes out of them. SO SO SO easy, and quick. Which means the perfect meal.

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STAPLE PANTRY INGREDIENTS

1 cup Whole Wheat Panko Crumb

1/4 cup Italian Bread Crumbs

2 Cans of wild salmon

2 tbsp Olive Oil

2 tbsp Maple Syrup (we love the organic Costco one, or if we are in Vermont we always grab some of the good stuff)

2 tbsp Flax Seed Powder

1 tsp Paprika

2 tsp garlic powder

2 tsp onion powder

2 tsp each salt & pepper

Buns (optional)

STAPLE FRIDGE ITEMS

2 Eggs

Recipe

Drain as much water as possible from both cans.

In a large bowl combine all ingredients.

Mix all together, but careful to not over mix.

Heat a heavy pan to medium heat.

And cook about 3-4 minutes on each side.

While they are cooking if you wanted to create a kiddo friendly sauce whisk up a couple tablespoons of ketchup, a splash of rice vinegar, 1/2 tbsp of honey and an itty bitty dot of chili paste (Ami LOVES spicy and in moderation Zoe is also fine with it) all together and you can have your kiddos dip or serve right on top.

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You can choose to make these without buns but if you are smart you'd add these little King's Hawaiin buns to your grocery order ( I grabbed at Target) because the girls feel like they are such a treat.

We serve on a salad, on a bun, with white rice, or even on seaweed wrap. You can serve with whatever your heart may want or your pantry may have... lol. You can even create a little burger bar with different toppings for picky kids (give them what seems like a choice and the love it!)

Any way you have them they are perfect for next week's meal prep.

I will say cooking with kids is SO hard but man oh man is it my favorite thing to do with these girls. Love how they can both be pretty good with directions right now and actually help (very messily help, but still help!). And as you can see they have no fun at all! haha!

Hope you all have a great Friday!

xoxo

Natalie

**Makes about 12 small burgers, probably about 6 regular sized ones, double the recipe, for meal prep, lunches or the freezer. I like to freeze them cooked but either way works!

#dishes #kidfriendly #toddlerfood #salmon