Maple Mustard Brussel Sprouts

Quick little side dish for ya today. Keepin the veg interesting. This was literally an on-the-spot, use-whats-in-my-fridge, hey-what-the-heck kind of recipe. Its hard to even call it a recipe. And that is the best kind of recipe!!

This little concoction is nothing brilliant or new, but it is to get your mind juices flowin so you can have more fun in the kitchen and add some jazz to your veggies!

Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash

Still going with my latest obsessions with brussels sprouts as mentioned in my Warm Beet and Brussels Sprouts Salad I have made a 2-part dish. That is why this recipe makes so much because what I did with the leftovers deserved its own post.

SO STAY TUNED FOR PART 2! (mostly because I think it is way better than part 1. However part 1 did serve its purpose and was delicious).

Here it is along side my delicious chicken - YAY gluten free meal!

Warm Beet and Brussels Sprouts Salad

BRUSSELS SPROUTS!!!!

Everyone hates these little guys. Why wouldn't you? They are mini cabbages. I always hated them as a child.

Well you would think I was pregnant or somethin because I have had some massive cravings from them (no worries friends and fam - I am NOT preggers and if I was.. what a horrible way to find out eh?!)

Red and Golden Beet Salad with Red Onions and Oranges

I found golden beets at the market today! How exciting! Well, it is exciting for me - shut up I know I am a foodie nerd. Listen, I watch the food network all the time and they always use beets with beautiful colour - red, golden, rainbow.. simply amazing. And I NEVER get to do that! One reason is because I am poor, but mainly it is because of where I live. There isn't a whole whack of variety in produce all the time. And that is okay with me, because that means they are not shipping food from all over the world only to rot in my fridge a day after I get it.

Anyways, I found these bad boys and I think they were super cool. So I wanted to show em off in a gorgeous salad. So I did. And I liked it.

It is super easy, light and refreshing. Makes me feel... summery.

Beet, Avocado, Goat Cheese and Arugula Salad

It's April. Which is the end of the semester. Which means papers, assignments and final exams. Which means a lot of late nights and even more coffee.

Since it is just the beginning, I am trying to make sure I start the month off right by actually eating some veggies. Not sure how long it will last... but hey... at least I am trying right?

Well I am mac and cheese yesterday. But no one has to know about that really.

Bacon and Roasted Cauliflower Soup

Cauliflower is... well kinda boring. Sorry but it is.

 

How do you make something not boring? You bacon-fy it.

Baconfy you ask? Yes, baconfy - the art of adding bacon to something to make it exponentially better.

Not only did bacon make this soup taste better, it changed the colour...to a less desirable colour. But don't think about that! Think about the fact that there is bacon in it! Problem solved.

 

And really, when you consider how much bacon per seving is used in this recipe, it is actually extremely healthy. I mean it is literally just pureed veggies. So eat, guilt free (my fave way to eat)

Hoisin and Garlic Baked Salmon

When I visit the parentals, I usually get a care package to take back with me made by my dad. It usually contains chicken, cheese and butter (as if I can't find that stuff where I live ahah). But this time, I got a real treat.

Salmon. 2 pieces to be exact.

 

Which used to be even better, but now I live with my bf and have to share the other piece with him. Dam... so many compromises.

Quinoa with Corn and Edamame

Last post we learned how super awesome quinoa is.

But, I also learned that on its own... is pretty plain Jane. Nothing against Jane or anything, but that is just not how we roll over here at the Gourmet Student.

We put the extra in extraordinary.

Plus I was bored and needed to use the edamame in my freezer because they were starting to look a little .. blah.

Baked Tomato with Egg, Bacon and Cheese

Breakfast can be fun no? Especially when you do fancy things on a dime. Like bake an egg in a tomato. Madness I know!!!
I saw this recipe on one of my favourite blogs Poor Girl Eats Well. I like her philosophy. It says it all in the title.

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Coconut Milk

Butternut squash soup was one of the very first things I started making while in school that actually tasted good. I can't remember exactly when I started, or for what reason I chose this soup in particular, but it sure does have a lot of memories attached to it!

I've made this at my house, at friends house, for myself to freeze, for study parties. I've made this with many people together and I have made this on my own. I have taught people how to make this and I have made 100,000 versions of it.

Spiced Carrot Salad with Pumpkin Seeds

Are you that annoying person in class munching on carrots? Crunch, crunching away while the prof is lecturing.Chopping your jaw down on those orange nubbins? Crunch crunch crunch.... crunch... Please just stop, I can't hear what the prof is saying...I can hear inbetween crunches.... I can't hear my friend next to me.... I can't even hear my own thoughts!!!!!!! CRUNCH CRUNCH.

Not you? Okay... that is totally me. I admit I am a carrot munch cruncher. BUT I know I am not alone.

Butterless Butter Chicken

Do you love Indian food? Do you know what restaurants in your area serve the real stuff? The authentic dishes? Do you know how much butter is actually in butter chicken? Do you consider yourself a connoisseur when it comes to butter chicken? Really? You do??

Well good for you.

Because I don't.

Balsamic and Honey Glazed Ginger Roasted Carrots

Okay, so now that the birthday month is over, and the chocolate holiday has passed, I suppose it is time to start eating some vegetables again. I suppose so.

Now I know I am a little late posting about these heirloom carrots (a.k.a purple and white carrots) because they are typically found in the late fall. But you can do ths recipe with any type of carrots. Even the genetically modified baby carrots that come in a bag.

The purple ones are my favourite! Even though there really isn't that much difference between the colors, I think there is a subtle sweetness to them. And the orange ones are more - carroty... ya you heard me. Whatever, eating purple food is cool and you know it.

How To: Bedazzle your Veggie Tray

Tired of your boring veggie platter? Carrots, celery, broccoli and maybe some peppers. It is definitely easy I'll give ya that. And its a healthy tid bit to your party spread. You can even buy them pre-made at the grocery store (although it may cost you an arm and a leg). 

How many times does this happen to you. 

-You decide to host a party. 

- You think of some awesome snack ideas

- Day of, you go pick up all the ingredients at the grocery store and realize - crap there is nothing good for me on the menu, lets throw in a veggie tray

Bah ...always an afterthought. 

Pita Pizza

As most of you know by now, pizza is a staple in my house. A staple in my life. I truly believe pizza is what makes the world go round. Isn't that why pizzas are typically round? Like the EARTH.

Grilled Veggie, Chicken and Goat Cheese Pesto Sandwich

I thought I had to say goodbye to summer a few weeks ago. But it seems like summer has been trying to creep back into my life. And I am going to let it. Windows are open, jackets are off and the BBQ is ON!

I felt like I didn't do enough BBQing this year, so I am glad I get one more chance to make up for it.

Whole Wheat Yogurt Banana Blueberry Pancakes

Man, I just love pancakes. People think I am crazy when I walk down the hall munching on a cold pancake as a snack.... not crazy, just love.

I've posted about pancakes before (and will again and again and again). But this time I thought a healthy twist may be in order. That way I don't feel so bad about scarfing a second helping.

Eggplant, Hummus and Feta Cheese Pita Sandwich

It was my first day back at school today. Only 2 more years and I will have completed my masters degree and be forced to face the real world of responsibilities and business casual clothes. But until then, I am completely happy in my sweatpants and my delicious dinners for 1. After a long day of classes (and I mean long) I needed something super easy and quick before I pass out on my couch. 

Yes that is a glass of wine in the background...I needed it!

Eggplant, Hummus and Feta Cheese Pita Sandwich

Time: 10 mins.                              CPS: $1.05                  L of D: Undergraduate

- 2 slices of Eggplant

- 2 slices of Tomato

- Handful of Spinach

- 2 Tbsp of Hummus

- A wee crumble of Feta Cheese

- 1 large Whole Wheat Pita

- Olive Oil

Grill the eggplant on your BBQ or fry it in a frying pan until it is soft and cooked through. 

Assemble sammie. Drizzle with a little olive oil. 

Happy first day of school!

Grilled Eggplant, Tomato and Basil Salad

Its hot. Wicked hot. So unbelievably hot that I have barely left my bedroom in 2 days because I have a tiny little air conditioner jammed in the window.

My one bedroom apartment has begun to melt. The doors won't close properly because the wood has expanded due to the humidity, the floors have begun to sweat. Whether to open or close the windows is in constant debate.

The thought of turning on my oven, or even a burner on the stove top just makes me sweat. Last night I went to Subway for dinner just so I can sit in an air conditioned building for half an hour.

But I can't live off Subway (Well ya I could, Jared did it).

Which leads me to -  salads and bbq.

Lime, Shrimp, Avocado and Cilantro Salad

Summer is here! Oh baby oh baby! Well technically it has been here for a while, but lately.. the temperature.. wooo ...sky rocketing! The weather is warmer, the sky is clearer, the produce is more vibrant and the stove becomes my enemy because it heats up my apartment to a million degrees celcius. Solution? Befriend my BBQ and learn to cook without the use of heat. Can we do it? I am sure as heck going to try.

This salad is so incredibly fresh and jam PACKED with flavor. No seriously, the flavor just explodes with every bite. I kid you not.