Roasted Veggies... Two Different Recipes to Try

After going Keto, I really began to notice how much I enjoy roasted vegetables of various kinds.  We especially enjoy these two recipes, one for Brussels Sprouts and one for Broccoli.  Take your pick, but there really is no wrong choice here.  You will be equally as pleased with each.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Parmesan:

Ingredients:
8 oz. bacon, chopped into small pieces
2 lbs fresh Brussels Sprouts, (it is important that they are fresh, not frozen for this recipe)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Cook the bacon in a pot over medium high heat.  Add the Brussels Sprouts and garlic, tossing until they are coated with the bacon drippings.

Spread the Brussels Sprouts and bacon in a single layer on a baking sheet.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Bake for 15 minutes, sprinkle with Parmesan, and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Parmesan

Roasted Parmesan Garlic Broccoli "Chips":

Ingredients:
2 heads of fresh broccoli, cut into small florets ( Again, very important that you are using fresh broccoli, not frozen, for this recipe)
3 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. lemon juice
3 garlic cloves, minced
Sea Salt
Black Pepper
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

In a large bowl, toss the broccoli florets and garlic with olive oil and lemon juice until all are coated.  Sprinkle the sea salt and pepper and toss to coat.

In a single layer, arrange the florets on a baking sheet. Roast for about 20 minutes, until the florets are just beginning to brown.

Sprinkle on the grated Parmesan and bake for another 5 minutes.

Roasted Parmesan Garlic Broccoli "Chips"

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Apples, Cranberries, and Walnuts

Believe it or not I had never had Brussels sprouts in my life until my husband and I began cooking together.  I was really missing out.  Who can resist these cute little cabbage-like babies? 

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Apples, Cranberries, and Walnuts

Ingredients:
1 lb. Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
1 Gala Apple, cut into small pieces
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
1 tbsp. local honey
2 pieces of bacon, crumbled
Salt and pepper
1 tbsp. olive oil

Directions:
Toss the trimmed Brussels sprouts, apples, salt, pepper, and olive oil together in a mixing bowl.  Pour onto a cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes, or until the outsides of the Brussels sprouts begin to brown.  Remove from the oven and return to the mixing bowl.  Combine with the cranberries, bacon crumbles, walnuts, and honey.  This recipe was delicious served as a side to steak.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Apples, Cranberries, and Walnuts

Tilapia with Lemon Garlic and Capers with Roasted Bacon Parmesan Brussels Sprouts

Dinner tonight was nothing short of divine.  These two recipes partnered up as the perfect duo.

Tilapia with Lemon Garlic and Capers

Ingredients:

1 tbsp. olive oil

1 tsp. minced garlic (about 2 cloves)

1 1/2 pounds tilapia fillets or other thin white fish fillets (4 small fillets)

Dash of salt and pepper

Juice of 3/4 lemon (about 2-3 tablespoons)

1 tbsp. capers, drained

1 tsp. lemon zest

Directions:

1.)  Warm the olive oil in a skillet. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant. 

2.)  Add the fish fillets to the pan and season them with a little of the salt and pepper. Cook them for 3 to 4 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets, until the bottoms start to brown. 

3.)  Flip the fillets, pour the lemon juice over them, and season the second side with salt and pepper. 

4.)  Top the fish with the capers. Cook for another 3 to 4 minutes. When the fish is white throughout and flakes easily, remove it to a plate and serve. 

5.)  Top the fish with fresh lemon zest and spoon lemon juice and caper mixture from the skillet over the top. 

Roasted Bacon Parmesan Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients:

8 oz. bacon, chopped

2 lbs. fresh Brussels sprouts

½ tsp. salt

½ tsp. black pepper

¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

1.)  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.   

2.)  Cook the bacon in a pot over medium high heat.  Add the Brussels sprouts and toss until they are coated with the bacon drippings.   

3.)  Spread the Brussels sprouts onto a prepared baking pan.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Bake for 20 minutes.  Sprinkle with Parmesan and bake for 10 more minutes.