Cooking Seasonally: December

Lots of produce goodness in season this December and Brussels Sprouts are at the top of my list. They are my favorite vegetable hands down.

 Fun fact: Brussels sprouts are the only craving I had during any of my pregnancies.  

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Here are 3 of my favorite ways to serve them:

Easy: Carrabbas Style

What you need:

4 pieces of sugar free bacon

Brussels sprouts

Lemon

What you do:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees

2. Cook your bacon in a dutch oven and reserve

3. Wash and halve your Brussels sprouts

4. Crank up the heat and stir fry your Brussels Sprouts in the bacon grease until they get a little char 

5. Put the lid on and pop in the oven for 5-10 minutes or until they are as soft as you prefer.

6. In a separate bowl, toss Brussels sprouts and crunched up the bacon; squeeze a lemon over them, stir and serve immediately.

Easier: Stir Fried

What you need:

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)

Brussels Sprouts

Minced garlic

Garlic salt

What you do:

1. Heat the pan on high heat, add the EVOO and let it get shimmery.

2. Wash and halve your Brussels sprouts

3. Add your Brussels sprouts being careful of splattering oil and sprinkle with garlic salt.  Adjust the temp as necessary to get a good char but not burn.  Cook until desired softness stirring constantly. Add in the garlic for the last minute being careful not to burn it.

Easiest: Roasted and tossed with balsamic reduction

What you need:

Brussels Sprouts

Balsamic Vinegar

What you do:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Wash and halve your Brussels sprouts

3. Roast until desired doneness and make reduction while roasting ( bring 1 cup of balsamic vinegar to a gentle boil, reduce heat to simmer. Stir frequently - it's done when it's reduced and coats your spoon.)

4. Toss roasted Brussels sprouts in sauce and serve

What's your favorite Brussels sprouts recipe?  I'm looking for a good one with pomegranate seeds!

{Cooking Seasonally} Kale Edition

I'm starting a new series to post our favorite recipes by season called Cooking Seasonally!

We're fighting for our best health by being proactive about our diets.  Gut health is a huge way to boost immunity, and to make eating our fruit and veg more fun, we focus on eating seasonally.  This gives our kids a wide variety of produce to try and makes it special since we look forward to what's in season. I love sharing this tradition around the table as we learn to try a wider variety of fresh produce.

November has some of our favorites (apples, broccoli, pears, cabbage, and kale to name a few) - want the whole list?  Sign up for my Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/6fa9c696734d/fasterwaywithrobin

Here are two of our favorite kale recipes:

Kale Salad from Urban Organic Gardener - we also add in other seasonal veg (here we have shredded carrots and broccoli)

Tuscan Bean Soup:

What you need:

2 lbs lean turkey breakfast sausage (mild Jennie-O)

1 c shredded carrots

6 stalks celery, chopped

1/2 c onion, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 cans of cannellini beans with liquid 

6 c chicken broth

2 c kale

Brown Rice Pasta Spirals (Tinkyada)

What you do:

1. Simultaneously brown meat in large pot (reserve on a plate) and in a separate pot, cook pasta according to directions.

2. Add veg to meat pot at med-hi heat, stir to saute and then lower heat and cover with lid for ~5 minutes or until veg starts to soften. Add in garlic and cook 1 minute more.

3. Add in meat, beans, stock and bring to a boil then simmer.  Add in pasta and kale a few minutes before you are ready to serve.

This is such a clean and cozy crowd pleaser and tastes amazing as leftovers.  You could sub leftover turkey for the sausage after Thanksgiving!

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Savory Pumpkin Chili

I've been working on developing a yummy pumpkin chili, and this one is a winner!  I don't prefer sweet chili and this recipe, despite its sweet ingredients, comes out rich and savory.  It's got a little kick but can be easily adjusted by decreasing the cayenne so that it's not too hot for the kiddos.

What you need:

1 lb grass fed ground beef

1/2 c onion, diced

4 large cloves of garlic, minced

1 - 15 oz can pumpkin 

1 - 15 oz can red kidney beans

1 - 29 oz can petite diced tomatoes

1 c chicken broth (I use Central Market's brand because it's gluten free)

2 T chili powder

1 T Cocoa + Espresso powder (I used CocoaX brand)

1 1/2 t cinnamon

3 t ground cumin

2 t kosher salt

1/2 t black pepper

1/2 or 1/4 t cayenne depending on preference

Garnish: diced red onion, avocado and cilantro

What to do:

1. In a large pot, add 1-2 T olive oil and saute your onions for about 4 minutes and then add minced garlic for the last minute.  

2. Add beef to the pot and brown, breaking it up as you cook.  Drain the fat once no pink remains in the beef.

3. Add all other ingredients and stir until smooth.  Simmer for 30 minutes (stir occasionally).

4. Garnish and enjoy!

Building a Summer Buddha Bowl + Summer Dip Guide

 I don't know about y'all but I'm happiest in the summer, when I can pull ready made sides out of the refrigerator and leave Taylor to man the grill.  Check out our favorite dips that are perfect accompaniments for building a summer buddha bowl.  I make up some quinoa and our favorite dips ahead of time ahead of time and everyone can build their bowls how they like. 

Add protein, quinoa, massaged kale (Mix 1 cup of kale  with 1/4 T olive oil and a dash of sea salt and massage it down), and your favorite dip from my Summer Dip guide. Top with salsa.

Here is our favorite salsa recipe:

2 roma tomatoes

1 can diced tomatoes, drained

1/2 of a small purple onion

1 jalapeno, seeded to desired hotness 

1/2 bunch of cilantro (pull off from the long stems but no need to pull off every leaf since it's going in the blender)

1 t cumin

1 t sea salt

1 dash garlic salt

1 or 2 shakes of Tabasco

Throw in the blender until combined but not soupy. Eat with good tortilla chips or top your taco salad or Mexican buddha bowl.

And click here to sign up for my FASTer Way Newsletter.  I'll be sending out My Summer Dip Guide later this week!

https://mailchi.mp/6fa9c696734d/fasterwaywithrobin

Monday Meal Planning : Mississippi Pot Roast 2 Ways

 Y'all know I am alllllll about making my leftovers work for me.  Here is a killer combination that will keep you out of the kitchen and in the pool!

Night #1:

Slow Cooker {Clean} Mississippi Pot Roast with Roasted Red Potatoes

Throw your chuck roast in your slow cooker, add 2 1/2 T of Wicked Spatula's Clean Ranch Packet to keep it dairy free, a jar of pepperoncinis, a cup or 2 of water so that the bottom is covered in liquid and there is enough moisture so that the meat doesn't burn.  Cook on low for 6-8 hours (until beef is cooked through and easy to shred with two forks.

While this is cooking, marinate your red onion for tomorrow's tacos by cutting up red onion, covering with red wine vinegar and a sprinkle of oregano.  Cover and store in fridge for tomorrow.

Serve pot roast with a side of red potatoes and a salad.

Baked red potatoes:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F

Prep rimmed cookie sheet by covering with foil.

In a large ziplock place quartered potatoes, a drizzle of olive oil, a T of the ranch seasoning, zip bag and mix ingredients together.

Pour bag contents in an even layer on the cookie sheet and bake for ~40 minutes or until fork tender.

Night #2:

Pulled Beef Tacos with Marinated Red Onion

Reheat leftover beef, top tortillas with beef, marinated red onions, and drizzle with sriracha aioli

Sriracha Aioli:

1/4 c clean mayo (we use Primal Kitchen)

1 T sriracha

Come Out of Hiding

Excuses.

I'm the queen of them. And I'm not the only one.  I come from a long line of excuse makers (and you do too). This is the pattern we were born into, but we have the power to break out of this because God is in the business of dealing with excuse makers.  He steps into our brokenness.  And when we hide and make leaf clothes, he draws us out, 

He says, "where are you?" 

Did you hear that?  

When we deliberately disobey him, he moves toward us NOT away from us.

God is NOT in the business of canceling. He is in the business of restoration.

Y'all.  He's omniscient.  

He knows where they are so why does He ask them that?  

Because in their broken mess, in their insufficient leaf clothes, He's extending an invitation to walk with Him.  

We don't clean ourselves up before we come to Him because we can't.  

He asks us to show up - insufficient leaf clothes and all - to receive the sufficient covering only He can provide.

The leaf clothes aren't going to cut it, the excuses are insufficient, the blame shifting doesn't work on Him.  HE is the only One who can provide acceptable covering, but first we have to own up to what's really going on.  

Where are you?

When you own up to falling short, you're accepting the invitation that calls you out of hiding and sufficiently clothes you.  Costly, expensive clothes paid for by Another.  

No more excuses. 

Come out of hiding, own up to where you are, and receive what was purchased on your behalf.

This is the way of repentance, marked out for us from the Beginning. Admit the lie {where are you?} and receive the covering purchased by Jesus.  Repentance isn't just, "I'm sorry for doing the thing.  Help me not to do the thing again."  It's uncovering the lie and replacing it with the Truth.

What excuses do you need to let go of and what truth do you need to admit?

Subscribe here to get my free Reflection Guide.

XO,

Robin

What's On My Table: Beef Bourguignon

One of my passions is to show that healthy, whole food eating doesn't mean boring and flavorless food! That's not a way to live.  You shouldn't have to choose between healthy and delicious! On Thursdays, I'm doing a series here called "What's On My Table" like I do on my IG account: @fasterwaywithrobin .  I will be using past recipes until my kitchen is back in order.  I hope you'll follow along!   Please give me recipes you would like to see cleaned up, and I'll add those to the rotation when I'm able.

Houston is about to have a huge cold snap, so if I had a working kitchen, Beef Bourguignon would be on my menu for Saturday.  It takes a little longer to make, so buy precut stew meat to cut down on prep time.  I love eating this for treat day on a thick slice of garlic rubbed toasted French bread, and then eating the leftovers (without the bread) on low carb day.  It's one of those recipes that makes your house smell incredible, and it tastes even better leftover.  I love making this for company or large gatherings.

Clean Beef Bourguignon

This base recipe comes from Ina Garten with tweaks I've made to keep it clean.

8 oz SUGAR FREE bacon (I use Pederson's)

2 1/2 lbs stew meat (1 inch cubes)

Kosher salt 

Pepper

1 pound petite baby carrots 

2 yellow onions, sliced

1 T garlic, minced

1 bottle dry red wine (I use 2 buck chuck Merlot from Trader Joe's)

2-4 c beef broth

1 T tomato paste

1/2 t dried thyme

4 T vegan butter

1 1/2 T arrow root starch

1 lb fresh mushrooms (I like baby bellas), washed, stems removed and sliced

Method:

*Preheat oven to 250 degreed F

1. Cook your bacon in a Dutch oven. Reserve on a paper towel lined plate.

2. Salt and pepper stew meat and then brown in bacon fat. Reserve with bacon.

3. Toss carrots and onions and 1 T salt into the Dutch oven and cook 10-15 minutes.  Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.

4. Add meat into pot and then crumble the bacon into the pot.

5. Add wine (yes, the ENTIRE bottle ;) ), and beef broth until meat is covered.  Then add thyme and tomato paste and bring to a simmer.

6. Place lid on Dutch oven and put stew in the oven for 1 1/4 hour.

7. Melt 2 T of vegan butter and combine with the arrowroot starch. Stir into Dutch oven. (You can skip this step but it won't be thick the first day).

8. Saute mushrooms in last 2 T of butter and add them to the pot. Stir to combine.

Serve over toasted French bread that has been rubbed with fresh garlic, with egg noodles, or by itself.  My kids prefer it over the noodles, and Taylor and I eat it with bread for treat day and as a stew on low carb days.

This is my longest recipe, but don't be intimidated by it's length.  Each step is super easy, and I promise it's worth it!

Mourning the Small Things

#tbt to the place I miss the most, to a time when I didn’t even consider the possibility of owning a mask or giving someone a wide berth when walking down Front Street. A time when you could smile at strangers and they could actually see your whole face and smile back.

Most days we wear our masks and get on with life as normal as best as we can, but yesterday, one of my kids broke down. He had had enough. He needed to mourn. Mourn the fact that Covid has changed our world and given us a new normal that means if someone has a sniffle, things are canceled. And he’s tired of things being canceled. We both are.

I told him I could relate. Yesterday I walked into a restaurant without a mask. This was completely unintentional. My scattered self has done this a couple times before (ALWAYS on accident), but this time was different.

I was confronted immediately by an employee demanding that I put on my mask. I was embarrassed and then I was angry. I wanted to shout at her, “this is NOT normal!”

Don’t worry, I didn’t. #enneagram9

I walked back out and got my mask and processed my reaction.  Usually I'm a happy little rule follower, but it hit me afresh that wearing a mask is NOT normal.   And while I understand why we wear them, I hadn’t really allowed myself to grieve the, yes small, but in many ways profound loss of freedom that cute fabric from Athleta represents. It is a daily, sometimes, hourly reminder every time we leave the house that something is not right in the world.  And when we don't take the time to mourn, to allow ourselves to feel sad, the grief turns into anger or bitterness and the bigger loss is that we miss out on the comfort of the Lord (Matthew 5:4).

 

I reminded my child (and myself), that we mourn but not without hope and not without comfort. And as believers we look at our suffering through a different lens than the world. Instead of asking, “God, why are you doing this to me?” We ask Him, “God, what are you doing?” Asking Him to open our eyes, hearts, and minds to the good we see Him bringing about in these bizarre times we are living in instead of just waiting for everything to go back to a normal that might not come.

God what are you doing? 

This question takes trusting Him that the path He has us on is right. He is not surprised that there is a worldwide pandemic.  He has not stopped being able to use what was meant for evil for good (Genesis 50:20). We trust Him with the big picture - that He has the end planned, and we can only see the piece of the path we need to see in this moment. And He is with us (Psalm 23:5).

We can trust Him because what looked like the biggest train wreck in the history of the world, the Cross, was the very thing He used to save us.

So we mourn our losses big and small. Process them through prayer and conversations with empathetic friends.  We have a God who leads us in paths of righteousness, comforts us through the valley of the shadow of death, and walks with us on every part of the journey.

If you’re struggling with this too, I highly recommend Psalm 23, Genesis 37-50, Romans 8 for meditation.

 

2020 Books!

I met my Good Reads 2020 goal with 6 to spare thanks to quarantine.  Check out my Instagram @fasterwaywithrobin to see all 46 of my 2020 reads! 

Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin was probably my most important read of 2020.  If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend it.

I had the HARDEST time narrowing down my top 3 fiction for 2020, but here they are along with some honorable mentions:

Honorable Mentions:

Summer of 69 - This was in my #1 spot for most of the year but my fall/winter reading edged it out.  If you like Elin Hilderbrand, add this to your list! The cultural references are super fun, and I enjoyed the characterization and story line.  I wish Summer of '79 was an entire novel!

The Hate U Give - Excellent read; the perspective was helpful and the main character, Starr, was so endearing.  Seeing the circumstances through her eyes was very eye opening.

A Woman is No Man - This was my first read of 2020 and it stayed with me all year.  

All Your Perfects - Her struggle in this story was similar to ours, and I thought Colleen Hoover handled it so well.  I loved the main characters and watching them navigate this particular hardship in their marriage.

Top 3 Fiction:

3. 

Winter in Paradise by ElinHilderbrand

I devoured all 3 books in this series in about a 3 week period between Thanksgiving and Christmas - it was perfection. As usual, Elin's characterization is just perfect, and I enjoyed the departure from Nantucket to St. John.  It starts out with the unraveling of a husband's secret and the novel unfolds as his wife begins to uncover the truth behind the facade of what she thought was a solid marriage.  Her sons are also primary characters giving the book depth and perspective. I loved each personality and the partial setting in Houston. The 3 books read in a row like one long novel. I wish there was a 4th!

2. 

Happiness For Beginners by Katherine Center

I thought for sure this would be in the #1 spot once it edged out Summer of '69; I even voted for it as my favorite before I finished my number one pick which was my last read of 2020. I love a couple other Katherine Center books but kept skipping over this one because of the premise, but I fell in love with the characters and enjoyed the psychology behind it, and the transformation of the main character.  Helen Carpenter is starting over.  She knows she needs to do something extreme to help get her life out of the rut it's in, so she goes on a specific journey with some unexpected and unwanted companions. 

1. 

The Simple Wild and Wild at Heart by K.A. Tucker

The first novel in this series, The Simple Wild, kept popping up everywhere, and I'm so glad I gave it a shot. I preferred the second book in the series, but you need the first for the second!  I'm currently reading the last one, but I'm reading it slowly because I don't want to say goodbye!  Calla Fletcher apprehensively visits her estranged father in Alaska after some things of importance come to light.  I was not a Calla fan at first, and was a little afraid it was going to be too predictable, but her transformation over the course of the novels is captivating, and I appreciated the twist the author throws in there.  These are probably technically romance which is not a genre I ever choose on purpose, and I definitely skipped over parts so be warned.

 

Year end book reviews are my favorites - give me ALL the recs for 2021!