The Peony Life » gluten free adaptable http://thepeonylife.com Creating memories through food Thu, 19 Jan 2017 01:07:51 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.3.19 Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Mustard and Maple Glaze http://thepeonylife.com/2015/11/roasted-brussels-sprouts-with-mustard-and-maple-glaze/ http://thepeonylife.com/2015/11/roasted-brussels-sprouts-with-mustard-and-maple-glaze/#respond Sun, 15 Nov 2015 20:55:31 +0000 http://thepeonylife.com/?p=1517 This recipe is proof that eating healthy doesn’t have to be a bore! Oh, and did I mention this recipe is vegetarian and gluten free? At the moment, I’m ALL ABOUT this seasonal side! Brussels sprouts are in season here in California and I like to buy them still attached to the stalk, while I can. These mini cabbages are on... 

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Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Mustard and Maple Glaze is the perfect vegetarian side dish to serve during the holidays!

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Mustard and Maple Glaze is the perfect vegetarian side dish to serve during the Holidays!

Did you know that an 80g serving of sprouts contains four times more vitamin C than an orange?

Did you know that an 80g serving of sprouts contains four times more vitamin C than an orange?

This recipe is proof that eating healthy doesn’t have to be a bore! Oh, and did I mention this recipe is vegetarian and gluten free? At the moment, I’m ALL ABOUT this seasonal side! Brussels sprouts are in season here in California and I like to buy them still attached to the stalk, while I can.

These mini cabbages are on my radar because they are so freakin’ versatile!  This recipe features roasted brussels sprouts but they are excellent raw in salads, sautéed, grilled and steamed.

The freshest sprouts are green with a white base. If they are slightly yellow or brown it means they’re past their prime.

The freshest sprouts are green with a white base. If they are slightly yellow or brown it means they’re past their prime.

This dish is single-handedly responsible for my fiancé falling in love with brussels sprouts! They were never his thang and he clearly didn’t light up when they rolled out on his dinner plate. I was SO OVER the usual brussels sprout and pancetta sauté I had gotten a little too used to making. There had to be a better way!

Fresh brussels sprouts from Santa Cruz California. There's nothing like cutting them fresh from the stalk!

Fresh brussels sprouts from Santa Cruz California. There’s nothing like cutting them fresh from the stalk!

So there I was trying to brainstorm while staring into my fridge in a trancelike state. Then BRAAAAP! It hit me like a ton of delicious food angel bricks! To combine my favorite condiment of all time; spicy Dijon mustard and a sweet Canadian staple; maple syrup. I am oh-so-happy to say it was a success and this meatless side is completely addicting!

This recipe is both vegetarian and gluten free but it’s important to remember not all Dijon mustards and maple syrup brands are gluten free. Annie’s & Organicville are two brands of Dijon mustard that are easily accessible and gluten free. When choosing maple syrup you want to make sure you’re always buying the purest kind. The maple syrup in my kitchen has one ingredient; maple syrup!

Sprinkle roasted brussels sprouts with a small handful of toasted pistachios or hazelnuts before serving. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary.

Sprinkle roasted brussels sprouts with a small handful of toasted pistachios or hazelnuts before serving. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary.

This is a great option to have on your dinner table during the Holidays for a variety of reasons. It’s simple to prepare, has few ingredients and lends new flavors to the traditional thanksgiving dishes.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Mustard and Maple Glaze are a welcomed lighter option in contrast to stuffings, creamy mashed potatoes and gravy (all of which I live for) but I’m trying to find a healthier balance this year. I’m loading up on healthy vegetable sides and just a couple of my favorite indulgences.

I hope you love this recipe as much as we do in my house! xo

Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with Annie’s Organics and Organicsville. This is not a sponsored post. I just simply like their products!

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Mustard and Maple Glaze
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Recipe type: Side Dish
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients
  • 1 lb brussels sprouts, halved
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • salt + pepper
  • 2 tbsp dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
  • ¼ cup toasted pistachios or hazelnuts
  • sprig of rosemary for garnish (optional)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with tin foil.
  2. Wash, trim and halve sprouts. Make sure loose leaves set aside as they will burn quickly in the oven.
  3. Drizzle sprouts with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper, toss to coat
  4. Bake for 35-40 minutes, tossing sprouts half-way through the cooking process. You want sprouts to be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
  5. While sprouts are roasting, lets make the mustard and maple glaze. Combine Dijon mustard + maple syrup + red wine vinegar and mix together using a whisk.
  6. Remove roasted sprouts from the oven and sprinkle with kosher salt. Toss with mustard and maple glaze then pour into a serving dish.
  7. Sprinkle toasted pistachios or hazelnuts overtop of the roasted sprouts and garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary.

 

 

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Stuffed Mushrooms with Chestnuts & Boursin http://thepeonylife.com/2015/10/stuffed-mushrooms-with-chestnuts-boursin/ http://thepeonylife.com/2015/10/stuffed-mushrooms-with-chestnuts-boursin/#respond Fri, 16 Oct 2015 00:11:33 +0000 http://thepeonylife.com/?p=1428 I had you at Boursin didn’t I? I can’t blame you because I’m with you! This soft creamy cheese comes in a variety of flavors and I use the Garlic & Fine Herbs (my go to) in this recipe. These stuffed mushrooms will be sought after at any event and your vegetarian friends will be happy you thought... 

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Stuffed Mushrooms with Chestnuts & Boursin are a welcomed vegetarian option at any party.

Stuffed Mushrooms with Chestnuts & Boursin are a welcomed vegetarian option at any party.

I had you at Boursin didn’t I? I can’t blame you because I’m with you! This soft creamy cheese comes in a variety of flavors and I use the Garlic & Fine Herbs (my go to) in this recipe. These stuffed mushrooms will be sought after at any event and your vegetarian friends will be happy you thought of them!

TIP! Choose your crimini mushrooms in bulk for this recipe. That way you can choose mushrooms of the same size, shape and free of bruises.

TIP! Choose your crimini mushrooms in bulk for this recipe. That way you can choose mushrooms of the same size, shape and free of bruises.

This recipe brings together a lot of my favorite things: mushrooms, chestnuts, Boursin, breadcrumbs and fresh herbs. Suddenly I am wished I decided to write this blog post at midnight. I’m now hungry and want to make these right now but that just seems slightly embarrassing. Ooops, I got a tad sidetracked. Back to these little bites of Heaven!

Be careful not to rip the mushroom caps when removing the stem. Bake for 20 minutes and remove the liquid from the mushroom caps prior to adding the boursin mixture.

Be careful not to rip the mushroom caps when removing the stem. Bake for 20 minutes and remove the liquid from the mushroom caps prior to adding the Boursin mixture.

I clearly inherited my love of Boursin from my mum. I have memories of her sipping a glass of vino and snacking on crackers with Boursin spread ever-so-evenly across. Fast forward twenty years and I’m pretty much doing the same thing, but somehow it feels less glamorous. Time is really a funny thing. It seems like so much has changed and yet small details like this remain the same.

Sprinkle with fresh thyme before serving. It adds a nice pop of color and great flavor.

Sprinkle with fresh thyme before serving. It adds a nice pop of color and great flavor.

Stuffed Mushrooms with Chestnuts & Boursin have been a recipe staple in my kitchen for years. I’ve enjoyed them over wine with girlfriends, as a substitute for meat, arranged on a platter for rooftop cocktails; you name it. I’ve made these bombs of deliciousness at ungodly hours after returning home from working a late flight. Cooking at 1am isn’t unusual for a flight attendant. As you can see, we go way back!

I like serving these on a simple white serving plate with a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle of time. They really pop!

I like serving these on a simple white serving plate with a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle of time. They really pop!

Over the years I’ve tweaked the recipe here and there, often switching up the herbs I use depending on what I have at home.

This simple recipe gets taken up a notch when you use fresh breadcrumbs. It takes an extra 20 minutes of your time but it’s worth it. Fresh Breadcrumbs have copious amounts more flavor than store bought brands. At least all of the kinds I’ve tried. Depending on what you like, you can use thyme, rosemary, sage, garlic, oregano, ground fennel, pepper to name a few. The options really are endless!

I hope you guys love these as much as I do! xx

Stuffed Mushrooms with Chestnuts & Boursin
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Recipe type: Appetizer
Serves: 18 mushrooms
Ingredients
  • 18 large crimini mushrooms, stems removed and cleaned
  • 1 package herbed boursin cheese, room temperature
  • 1 small can water chestnuts, finely diced
  • ¼ cup minced chives
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs, preferably homemade
  • ¼ cup parmigiano reggiano, finely grated
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • fresh thyme for sprinkling
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with tin foil.
  2. Now let's clean the mushrooms. Using a damp paper towel, remove any dirt from the mushrooms. It's okay to give the mushrooms a quick shower to save time, just make sure to not let them soak. If you give the mushrooms a quick shower to clean them, make sure you dry them as best as you can.
  3. Space the mushrooms out evenly on the baking sheet. Drizzle 2 tbsp of olive oil over the mushrooms and sprinkle with salt.
  4. Bake mushrooms for 20 minutes.
  5. In a medium sized bowl mix together boursin cheese, minced chives and finely diced water chestnuts. Set aside.
  6. When you remove the mushrooms from the oven there will be a small amount of liquid in each mushroom cap. Discard this liquid by using a small spoon or with clean hands just tip the cap upside-down over a bowl.
  7. Spoon a tsp of the boursin cheese mixture into each mushroom cap.
  8. Top with breadcrumbs and finely grated parmigiano reggiano cheese.
  9. Put back in the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until tops of mushrooms are golden brown.
  10. Let them cool, sprinkle with fresh thyme and serve
Notes
I always try to buy my mushrooms in bulk, especially when making this recipe. It allows me to choose mushrooms of similar size and shape. I try to get the crimini mushrooms that are perfectly round and free of any bruises or mushy spots
This recipe is significantly better with fresh bread crumbs. Store bought bread crumbs just won't have the same flavor. So if you have 15 extra minutes to spare, I strongly suggest you go all the way and make your own.

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