early summer brussel sprouts & corn

One of the best feelings happens when you throw a bunch of ingredients you like and have on hand together and it actually works out, for once. I got one of those great feelings last night when I made this early summer brussel sprouts & corn sides, which is now one of my absolute favorites and a new go-to side dish. Perfect for a summer cookout, an elegant evening in, or just one day of the week.

Ingredients (for 2 veggie-loving adults, or 4 side-portions):
1 lb brussel sprouts
2 ears of corn, kernels freshly cut off of the cob
3 tbs olive oil, divided
1/2 lemons-worth of juice
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
salt & pepper 

Directions:
1. In a large pan heat 1 tbs olive oil over medium-high heat. Cut brussel sprouts in half and add to pan.  Sprinkle with lemon juice, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and generous pinches of salt & pepper.  
 

2. Shake and stir to coat, continue to shake every so often, to enable a caramelized sear but not an over-cook on one side.
 

3. After about 10 minutes (adding more olive oil as needed), when brussel sprouts are browned, soft on the outside, but a bit hard n crunch on the inside, add fresh corn kernels to the pan.
 

 

4. Drizzle 1 tbs olive oil over the corn, sprinkle with more salt & pepper and stir & shake to fully mix.
 

5. Cook altogether for another 5 minutes, until corn is warm but pops to the bite.
 

 

6. Serve warm & enjoy!

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simple weekend recap: edition 4

It appears as though this past weekend was filled with a bunch of seafood. Salmon, lobster, and swordfish! The salmon in a saffron curry sauce is one of my favorite dinners to make. Don't worry, I'll share the recipe later this week!

 

The weather this weekend was perfect, and Erin was able to take full advantage of the sun during a nice long hike through the park.

 

 

 

After some tasty deviled eggs, lobster was definitely due (the first of the season for us...we're so behind the times)!! To wrap up the seafood weekend, we had some of the sweetest corn from the farm down the street.

 

 

 

 

After a long weekend of seafood, some garlic chipotle pasta was much needed (quick&simple recipe later this week, too!)

 

My weekend was filled with good food & the great outdoors...pretty ideal for me!

 

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early fourth of july bbq

Growing up in the middle of nowhere, my town used to put on a fireworks show a week or so before July 4th (due to fearing the residents would go to a larger fireworks show in neighboring towns instead of ours). In honor of this ritual, we celebrated with a BBQ.

The evening began with some Pimms and cheeses. We continued with hot dogs, cheeseburgers, veggie burgers, potato salad, cole slaw, and garlic basil corn... the usual June 23nd pseudo-July-4th-BBQ spread. We wrapped up the evening with strawberry shortcake and called it a night after relaxing under the lanterns. Looking forward to the real July 4th filled with sparklers and a quiet night in.

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grillin' weather

This weekend was prime grilling weather and we took full advantage of it! Saturday was cedar plank grilled salmon with grilled corn and asparagus. Sunday wrapped the weekend up with chicken and pepper kabobs with rice pilaf and my favorite summer side of all time, garlic basil corn.

 Saturday's dinner ended with the first ice cream of the season, while Sunday's dinner ended with these little bad boys:

 I used this recipe, but next time I plan to make the cakes in a mini muffin tin to make these even smaller and more portable!

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