Roasted broccoli

This is definitely going to be a new staple in my house.  Simple and tasty!!

1.  One large head of broccoli cut into smaller pieces

2.  Olive oil just enough to moisten the broccoli 

3.  2 tsp Minced garlic

4.  A dash of Sea salt and pepper

Add the above into a large ziplock bag and toss until thoroughly mixed. 

Pour it on a baking tray and put in the oven 425 for 30 minutes. That's it!!  Enjoy!

Okra with a new twist

Ok so I'm a southern girl raised on fried okra. Oh yes, my grandma would make some fried okra, freshly picked from her garden and it was to die for!!  Well I've tried boiled okra and yuk is all I can say!!  

So my high school friend and chef (yes she can really cook unlike myself) sent me this recipe and to be honest, I had to think twice about it before I decided to make it!!  I was afraid it would have that yucky slime but guess what, it didn't!  My husband and I have adopted this as our new favorite side dish!!  Thanks Kelly!!!

1 bag of frozen okra

1 can of stewed tomatoes 

Onion powder to taste

Garlic powder to taste (next time I want to try minced garlic)

Olive oil

Sauté frozen okra, onion and garlic powder for about 2-3 minutes.  Then add a can of tomatoes and stir till warm.  That's it!!  Seriously, don't judge until you try it!!

Now here's my redneck photo highlighting my lunch on my fine China. :)

Cauliflower "rice"

This is our new favorite side dish.  So easy that Haley, my 12 year old, makes it for us!

Ingredients:

- 1 head of grated cauliflower

- 1/4 cup Vegetable or chicken broth

- 2 Tbsp coconut oil

- 1/4 onion diced

- 1 Tbsp garlic

- Sea salt to taste

Directions:

1. Grate the cauliflower

2. Heat coconut oil in saute' pan over medium high heat.  Saute' onion and garlic for about 3 minutes

3.  Add cauliflower, stir well

4.  Add broth and sea salt.  Saute for about 5 minutes until cauliflower is slightly tender.

5.  Place cauliflower in serving bowl and top with parsley (optional)

Sweet potato and Japanese sweet potato

More good carb ideas...sweet potato and Japanese sweet potatoes!! They are both so yummy. My favorite way to bake these are as easy as 1, 2, 3.  

1.  Slice potatoes in thin rounds 

2.  Brush on a little coconut oil

3.  Sprinkle with cinnamon 

4.  Bake for 20 min at 425

Ok so maybe it's as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4!! I like baking them this way because I can count out how many slices I can eat.  I put the others back in the refrigerator to warm up for lunch, dinner or even breakfast at a later date!

 

Gourmet green beans

Well not really but you don't have to tell anyone!  Ha!!   

If your in a hurry but looking to "fancify" your meal, here is a quick and easy side dish!  My entire family eats this up like candy. :)

Steam up some frozen green beans in the microwave (I usually cut a minute off the suggested time), now throw them in an electric skillet with a little Extra Virgin Olive Oil, a spoonful of minced garlic, chopped up piece of bacon and sprinkle in some sliced almonds.  That's it!!