Grilled Cabbage

My husband loves cabbage - me not so much - so I am always looking for new recipes so I can cook it for him & for me to be able to tolerate eating it. This is a great tasting recipe that I found which includes butter & bacon - what's not to like about that??

GRILLED CABBAGE
1 head cabbage
4 teaspoons butter
4 slices bacon

Spice mix:
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

Directions:
Cut cabbage into four wedges.
Place each wedge on a piece of doubled heavy-duty aluminum foil.
Spread cut sides with butter.
Mix spices together in a small container & sprinkle all of the mixture equally over each wedge.
Wrap bacon around each wedge.
Fold foil around cabbage, sealing each wedge tightly.
Grill cabbage, covered, over medium heat for 40 minutes or until the cabbage is tender, turning twice.

Baked Potato Slices

So simple - I can't believe I didn't think of how to make these sooner?!

Ingredients:
Russet potatoes
butter
bacon crumbles
shredded cheddar cheese
green onion    

Preheat oven to 400 degrees
 
Cut potato into 1/4" slices. Brush both sides of potato slices with butter; place them on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes or until lightly browned on both sides, turning once.
 
When potatoes are ready, top with bacon crumbles, shredded cheddar cheese, & green onion; continue baking until the cheese has melted! Can add a dollop of sour cream also - YUM!

Baked Potato - restaurant style

I grew up thinking that a good baked potato needed to be wrapped in aluminum foil & then baked in the oven. But then I discovered this recipe - Restaurant-Style Baked Potatoes. You know the ones with the crispy, salty skin & are super tender inside?? These are hands-down the best baked potatoes ever!!

Restaurant Style Baked Potato

6 large baking potatoes, scrubbed & patted dry

1/4 cup quality olive oil

1/4 cup coarse kosher or course sea salt

- Poke several holes in each potato

- Place salt in shallow dish, large enough for a single potato to fit

- Lightly brush olive oil over outside of each potato

- Roll each potato in salt (no need to cover, but should be present on all sides of the tater)

- Place in center of oven, directly on the oven rack

- Bake at 375 degrees for 60-70 minutes until fork tender

- Let cool slightly before serving

- Carefully open each potato & serve with butter, sour cream & whatever else you like.

I like to serve mine with a perfectly done filet :)

Bacon Wrapped Brussel Sprouts

I have talked about this recipe before when I made them for the first time here & have made them several times since then. They are a really good appetizer & a unique way to eat a veggie that is really good for you. Who doesn't like "stuff" wrapped in bacon with a dipping sauce anyway??

Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients

• 10 bacon slices
• 10 Brussels sprouts
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Creamy Mustard Sauce

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°. Microwave bacon slices, in batches, between paper towels, at HIGH for 1 1/2 minutes. Cut slices in half crosswise. Cut Brussels sprouts in half lengthwise. Wrap 1 bacon piece around each Brussels sprout half; secure with a wooden pick. Place sprouts, cut sides down, on a lightly greased wire rack on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with pepper to taste. Bake at 400° for 20-25 minutes or until bacon is crisp & Brussels sprouts are tender. Serve with Creamy Mustard Sauce, if desired. Makes 6-8 servings.

Creamy Mustard Sauce 

Stir together 1/2 cup sour cream, 2 tsp. whole grain mustard, 1  tsp. brown sugar, salt and pepper to taste in a bowl.

* I would not suggest using turkey bacon or thick-sliced bacon.

Roasted Asparagus

My love for asparagus comes from when I was young. I grew up on a farm & we had asparagus that would grow wild next to a huge red poppy garden. When spring time came, I would love to go out & check for asparagus everyday to see if it was tall enough to cut so that my mom could cook it with dinner. I guess it is kind of a strange vegetable for a kid to love?! I even love me some brussel sprouts & have a few recipes to share for those also :)

We have had asparagus twice this week & just LOVE it! I have cooked asparagus many ways but I think roasting it in the oven is the best & almost as good as cooking it on the grill!

(photo credit)

Roasted Asparagus

Ingredients

• 2 pounds fresh asparagus
• Good olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Break off the tough ends of the asparagus &, if they're thick, peel them. Place the asparagus on a sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil, then toss to coat the asparagus completely. Spread the asparagus in a single layer & sprinkle liberally with salt & pepper. Roast the asparagus for 15 - 20 minutes, until tender, but still crisp.