As you know from reading this blog, MEtirement has given me the grand gift of renewal. Like any other opportunity for change that presents itself at various points in your life, the ability to shape your future in a positive way can be fleeting. Seizing and appreciating these opportunities are the benefits of MEtirement or any other life altering event. For me, it is time to focus on and think about health, wellness and mindfulness. And, of course, this includes more exercise and more vegetables. Let’s talk about vegetables for a minute. Truth be told, I need to get more friendly with veggies. I have never loved them. I eat them every single day but honestly, they are just a necessary evil in my life. Low in fat and calories and full of all good things to lengthen your life but the texture and taste just doesn’t light me up. At all.
Until today, when I put some honey and olive oil on a lovely pile of brussel sprouts and flash roasted them at high heat in the oven. AMAZING. Tasty, crunchy and not bitter at all. And still healthy because at the end of the day, they are still brussel sprouts. Just hidden in a nice crispy coat.
I was in such a brussel sprout rut. When faced with a naked bag of them, I had the same approach. Oil, maple syrup and balsamic vinegar. Fine. But not great. The jar of honey just happened to be hanging out in the pantry right next to the maple syrup. And then it came to me. Today, it will be honey instead of syrup. This is how I think these days. Not about trying to solve all the problems of the world in my job. Rather, now I am thinking of the significance of honey vs. syrup. And honey wins. Hands down.
Running out of easy family vegetable side dish ideas? Not any more. Here you go– in two easy steps. Shake them in a bag of honey and olive oil and bake. And I hope you won’t have to use that stern voice anymore when you ask your kids to eat their brussel sprouts because they will love them!
Honey Brussel Sprouts
Brussel sprouts, honey, olive oil and salt. Done.
Ingredients
- 1 pound brussel sprouts washed, dried and cut in half
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cover a large sheet pan or cookie sheet with parchment paper.
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Put the olive oil, honey and salt in a plastic ziploc bag and add the brussel sprouts. Shake until they are all coated.
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Spread the brussel sprouts evenly on the pan and put them on the lower shelf of the oven. Bake ten minutes. Turn the sprouts over (I use BBQ tongs for this) and put back in the oven for another 10 minutes or until brown and crispy.