roasted brussels sprouts + caramelized onions & bacon
yes, it is still technically summer, but that subtle autumn change in the air has already settled over costa mesa. while i'm sure that come october the temp will jump back up to scorching, at the moment i've got some cozy boots on and i'm loving it. bring on the fall colors, cozy sweaters and comfort foods! 

since we live somewhat close to the beach, they don't believe that an air conditioner is necessary. so now that the temperature is changing, i am finally able to start using my oven again. and brussels sprouts are my go to roasted veggie. 

i know, i know. some of you loath brussels sprouts. but ask yourself this... 

is it brussels sprouts i detest? or is it the stinky smell and soggy product i get from a steamed brussels sprout that ruins it for me? 

sometimes a simple change in cooking method can change our perspective on an ingredient. adding bacon and caramelized onions to a dish doesn't really hurt its chances of success either. 

whether your a sprout fiend or you are just now giving them a second chance, this dish is sure to please you and your fall dinner guests. 

roasted brussels sprouts + caramelized onions & bacon
serves: 4
prep time: 10 minutes
cook time: 30 minutes
total time: 40 minutes
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ingredients: 1.5 lbs brussels sprouts, stems removed and quartered. .5 spanish onion, sliced. 2 slices bacon (preferably one with a sweet flavor like maple or applewood). 3 tbs olive oil, divided. .5 tsp salt. .25 tsp pepper. 

start by preheating your oven to 400 d F. 

you have two choices on how to cook your bacon. you can either cook it in the oven on a rack over a baking sheet for 20-24 minutes in a 400 degree oven. OR you can cook them in a pan over medium heat for about the same amount of time. in this method you will need to flip the bacon once or twice. either way, when the bacon has been cooked, blot it dry with a paper towel and roughly chop. 
after you get the bacon going, combine the onions, 1 tbs of olive oil and 1/3 of the salt and pepper in a medium pan. cook the onions over medium low heat, stirring every few minutes until they caramelize. about 20-25 minutes. 
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once you get the onions cooking, combine the remaining olive oil, salt and pepper with the brussels sprouts. toss the sprouts well to coat them with the oil, salt and pepper.

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place the sprouts on a baking sheet and roast them for 20 minutes. stir them once about half way through. 

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when the sprouts and onions are done, toss together with the bacon and serve hot. 

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xo, a
roasted brussels sprouts + caramelized onions & bacon
serves: 4
prep time: 10 minutes
cook time: 30 minutes
total time: 40 minutes
ingredients: 1.5 lbs brussels sprouts, stems removed and quartered. .5 spanish onion, sliced. 2 slices bacon (preferably one with a sweet flavor like maple or applewood). 3 tbs olive oil, divided. .5 tsp salt. .25 tsp pepper.
start by preheating your oven to 400 d F.
you have two choices on how to cook your bacon. you can either cook it in the oven on a rack over a baking sheet for 20-24 minutes in a 400 degree oven. OR you can cook them in a pan over medium heat for about the same amount of time. in this method you will need to flip the bacon once or twice. either way, when the bacon has been cooked, blot it dry with a paper towel and roughly chop.
after you get the bacon going, combine the onions, 1 tbs of olive oil and 1/3 of the salt and pepper in a medium pan. cook the onions over medium low heat, stirring every few minutes until they caramelize. about 20-25 minutes.
once you get the onions cooking, combine the remaining olive oil, salt and pepper with the brussels sprouts. toss the sprouts well to coat them with the oil, salt and pepper.
place the sprouts on a baking sheet and roast them for 20 minutes. stir them once about half way through.
when the sprouts and onions are done, toss together with the bacon and serve hot. 

plum tart + hazelnut crust

ummm.... hello september?! 

where did 2016 go? in my mind i just got married last week so it could only be mid january right? RIGHT?

wrong.

this year is just one holiday season away from being over. and while there is a lot to look forward to, i have a very special anniversary coming up this month. 

september 21st marks one year since i left my corporate job that left me stressed, unhealthy and downright unhappy. but i shed that former skin and embarked on a new journey to create the life that i dreamed of living. 

the last year has been spent hustling and planning and learning and practicing. and while my wallet is a little tighter than my previous life, there are WAY more ups than downs. 

but most importantly, there is a lot of really delicious food. 

last week, after a cancelled swim lesson, i found myself at an empty produce store in the middle of the day. and when you are the only lady in a produce store, you get some extra attention. the man working there introduced me to these stunners...

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welcome to my life "elephant heart" plums. 

and i knew the perfect thing to do with these beauties. 

plum tart + hazelnut crust
serves: 8
prep time: 20
bake time: 40 minutes
chill time : 1 hour
total time: 2 hours
ingredients: crust. 1.5 c hazelnut meal (if you can not find hazelnut meal, no problem. purchase a pack of skinned hazelnuts and blend them yourself in a food processor until they are fine). 4 tbs of butter, melted. 1 tbs honey. 2 tbs sugar. .25 tsp salt. .25 tsp baking soda. 

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filling. .75 c sugar. .75 c milk. 6 oz greek yogurt (i used blueberry but you could use your favorite fruit flavor or no flavor at all). 2 eggs. 2 tsp cornstarch. 1 tsp vanilla extract. 1.5 cups sliced plums (your favorite kind or whatever you can get your hands on).

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start by preheating your oven to 325 f. in a medium bowl, whisk together your dry crust ingredients. drizzle in the honey and pour the butter over the top. mix until just combined. 

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butter an 8 inch springform pan and turn the crust dough out onto the pan. use your fingers to press the dough around to cover the bottom of the pan and start to press it up the sides. when the tart crust is nice and even, bake it till set and light golden brown. about 20 minutes.
when your crust is finished, up the oven temperature to 375 f.
whisk together all remaining ingredients except the plums. you have a choice here. you can either add in the plums to the wet ingredients after they are combined, or you can wait to make a design with them once you have poured your wet filling into crust. bakers choice. 

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when you have poured your filling into the crust and set your plums, bake the tart just until set. about 20-25 minutes.

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allow the tart to cool and then refrigerate it for at least an hour. this well ensure easy and pretty slices. serve cold or at room temp. 

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xo, a

plum tart + hazelnut crust
serves: 8
prep time: 20
bake time: 40 minutes
chill time : 1 hour
total time: 2 hours
ingredients: crust. 1.5 c hazelnut meal (if you can not find hazelnut meal, no problem. purchase a pack of skinned hazelnuts and blend them yourself in a food processor until they are fine). 4 tbs of butter, melted. 1 tbs honey. 2 tbs sugar. .25 tsp salt. .25 tsp baking soda.
filling. .75 c sugar. .75 c milk. 6 oz greek yogurt (i used blueberry but you could use your favorite fruit flavor or no flavor at all). 2 eggs. 2 tsp cornstarch. 1 tsp vanilla extract. 1.5 cups sliced plums (your favorite kind or whatever you can get your hands on).
start by preheating your oven to 325 f. in a medium bowl, whisk together your dry crust ingredients. drizzle in the honey and pour the butter over the top. mix until just combined.
butter an 8 inch springform pan and turn the crust dough out onto the pan. use your fingers to press the dough around to cover the bottom of the pan and start to press it up the sides. when the tart crust is nice and even, bake it till set and light golden brown. about 20 minutes.
when your crust is finished, up the oven temperature to 375 f.
whisk together all remaining ingredients except the plums. you have a choice here. you can either add in the plums to the wet ingredients after they are combined, or you can wait to make a design with them once you have poured your wet filling into crust. bakers choice.
when you have poured your filling into the crust and set your plums, bake the tart just until set. about 20-25 minutes.
allow the tart to cool and then refrigerate it for at least an hour. this well ensure easy and pretty slices. serve cold or at room temp.