Cooking While Transitioning

Hello Lovely People!!
Hope you have had a great week, Memorial Day, and beginning of the month of June thus far! I can’t believe May has officially come and gone. It is officially the month of our new adventures in Houston and Dallas and transitioning has just begun. Not before a lovely trip to East Texas though.

JUST TOO PEACEFUL. >>

Once we got back to College Station we had three full cars move Carly to Houston. I would say the adventure for her has just begun! But with all the moving and celebrating between Van, College Station, and Houston, cooking was not put by the wayside. So here is a new recipe for all you to try, especially those beginning internships, grad school, undergrad summer school classes, or even for those who just want to try something new in the kitchen. This is an EASY recipe to try out. This recipe is vegetarian, but grilled chicken or salmon would be lovely if  be added on top.

Brussels Sprouts, Dried Cranberries, and Goat Cheese over Barley

Ingredients

1 pound Brussels sprouts
2/3 cup dried cranberries
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese
1 ½ cups cooked barley
Dash of Onion powder
1 tablespoon Tarragon wine vinegar

Instructions

1.  Cook barley according to package directions and set to side.
2. Cut Brussels Sprouts and add 1 tablespoon olive oil to bowl. Sprinkle dash of onion powder and mix.

3. Heat pan and roast Brussels sprouts to your liking on the outside. I like a more burnt taste so I roast mine for longer ;)

4. Add dried cranberries to pan

5. Add cooked barley to pan and mix together.

6. Add 1 tablespoon of Tarragon wine vinegar while mixing together

7. Plate and add crumbled got cheese on top

8. Enjoy!!

If you like as well, instead of doing the roasting on the stove top, the broiler can be replaced  to use for the Brussels sprouts, cranberries and barley at the end when all mixed together with the Tarragon wine vinegar. What is also so great about this recipe is that it is very versatile on what you have in the kitchen. For instance, if you prefer or have on hand Balsamic Vinegar over the Tarragon wine vinegar that can easily be replaced to save money and add a different flavor. Summer cherries could also be used instead of the cranberries. Have fun with it! The recipe is by no means one you have to follow exactly. But, it does turn out delicious if you happen to :)

Hope you all had a great week! Carly and I are still so excited to be able to share our next adventures with you through this blog! Keep her close to your heart as she has begun her transition! Her first weekend went so well and she has such a great summer to look forward to with her new community at St. Thomas! I just know she is going to do such an amazing job in grad school and as a first grade teacher! Hurrah for this new Houstonian!

Food for Thought:
"There are Far Far better things ahead then we leave behind.” –CS Lewis

"Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray”-Rumi

Thank you for sitting across the bistro table from me,
Elizabeth