Maple Balsamic Brussel Sprouts with Dates & Pistachios

Brussel sprouts are on my list of my all time favorite vegetables! They are very high in nutrients and super easy to cook. I decided to season them in a maple balsamic dressing, sweetened with dates plus pistachios added for some texture. This Brussel sprouts dish tastes great accompanied with some marinara pasta and red wine. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

  • 6 cups of Brussel sprouts, washed and cut into quarters
  • 2 Tbsp of olive oil (divided)
  • 1/2 a red onion, diced
  • 1/4 tsp of minced garlic
  • 12 pitted medjool dates, chopped
  • 2 Tbsp of balsamic vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp of maple syrup
  • 1 tsp of dried sage
  • 1 tsp of dried parsley
  • juice of 1/2 a lemon
  • 1/4 cup of pistachios
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Line a baking tray with foil or parchment paper. Put your chopped Brussels on the tray. Drizzle with 1 Tbsp of olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the Brussels are cooked through and golden on the edges.
  3. Meanwhile, heat a skillet on medium-high heat. Sauté the garlic and onions in 1 Tbsp of olive oil. Once they are soft and are starting to brown, add the balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, dates, sage, parsley and lemon juice. Continue to cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes to incorporate all of the flavors together.
  4. Once the Brussel sprouts are cooked, remove from the oven and directly transfer them into the skillet. Add the pistachios as well. Mix with a wooden spoon to fully coat the Brussels in the maple balsamic dressing.
  5. Serve warm.

balsamic brussels

Benefits of this recipe:

-Brussel Sprouts are one of the best suppliers of Vitamin K (which keeps your bones healthy), Vitamin C (which boosts immunity),balances blood sugar, improves brain function, and protects eye & skin health

-Dates have high levels of soluble fiber which optimizes digestion. They also decrease cholesterol, boost energy, and boost bone health.

The information on the benefits of the ingredients was researched from http://www.draxe.com

 

 

6 Delicious Vegan Side Dishes for Thanksgiving

Can you believe it? Thanksgiving is just a few days away! I am looking forward to making a delicious turkey-less feast for my family. Our annual vegan thanksgiving meal consists of seasonal vegetables, pumpkin flavored goodies, and traditional dishes with a plant-based twist. I have put together a list of my favorite recipes that would make great side dishes for your family’s thanksgiving meal. Enjoy!

Carmelized Beet & Sweet Potato Farro with Roasted Chickpeas

beet salad

 

 

Classic Vegan Mashed Potatoes

mash potatoes

 

 

Pumpkin Hummus

pumpkin hummus.jpg

 

 

Honeycrisp Apple Salad with Candied Walnuts & Dates

sweet kale salad

 

 

Lemony Walnut-Pesto Brussel Sprouts

brussels

 

 

Wild Rice Stuffed Butternut Squash

squash

Lemony Walnut-Pesto Brussel Sprouts

There’s no better way to do Brussel sprouts than mixing it with homemade pesto. These sprouts are nutty, lemony, and full of great flavor. Enjoy!

Preparation + Cook Time: 50 minutes

Makes about 6-7 servings

Ingredients:

For Pesto Sauce:

  • 2 C Packed Fresh Basil Leaves
  • 1 C Raw Walnuts
  • 1/4 C + 1 T Olive Oil
  • 1 T Nutritional Yeast
  • 1/2 t minced Garlic
  • Juice of 1/2 a Lemon
  • 1 T Water
  • Salt & Pepper

For Brussel Sprouts:

  • 2 lbs Brussel Sprouts
  • 1 T Olive Oil
  • 1/4 C Pine Nuts (Optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Mix all the ingredients for the pesto in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and set aside.
  3. Prepare the Brussel sprouts. Wash and chop them in half. Line a baking sheet with tin foil. Spread the sprouts on the sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Cook in the oven for 25 minutes.
  4. Take the baking sheet out of the oven. Transfer the sprouts into a bowl. Pour the pesto sauce over the sprouts and mix together. Top with chopped walnuts or pine nuts.

Benefits of this recipe:

-Brussel Sprouts are one of the best suppliers of Vitamin K (which keeps your bones healthy), Vitamin C (which boosts immunity),balances blood sugar, improves brain function, and protects eye & skin health

-Walnuts contain Omega-3s, improve brain and heart health, and help fight depression

The information on the benefits of the ingredients was researched from http://www.draxe.com