Noodle Kugel

I'm not Jewish, but I sort of felt like it today when I prepared this noodle kugel. Okay, maybe not so much, but it sure was delicious. I look for strange recipes when I'm trying to figure out what I want to cook next. Sometimes I look at the skill level, though recipes aren't as intimidating as they used to be. Sometimes I look at the ingredients, and if there are too many ingredients that I do not have, I usually move on to the next recipe (unless it's Tiramisu or something wonderfulanddelicious like that). I like things like bread, pasta, cheese, vegetables, berries, rich flavors, coffee, etc. I'm not even as much of a meat eater as I used to be. I could probably be a vegetarian if my body didn't crave protein as much as it does. And I love filet mignon too much to ever completely give it up.

When I saw this picture on Smitten Kitchen's website I knew I had to make it.
via Smitten Kitchen

Sweet and Sour Carrots

This recipe came from Publix's recipe selection. Tonight I decided to make sweet and sour chicken and what a better side dish to go with it than sweet and sour carrots?! Brilliant.

Sweet and Sour Carrots
Recipe from Publix
Serves 3-4

1/2 lb. carrots, cleaned and sliced
1/8 cup red wine or apple cider vinegar
1/8 cup brown or turbinado sugar
1/2 Tbsp. butter or margarine
1/6 cup chopped pecans
1/2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

Brussels Sprouts

Who doesn't like brussel sprouts? Okay, my Dad doesn't, but who else? Well, probably a lot of people, but they really shouldn't.

Here's a handful of facts about brussels sprouts from health diaries:

Like broccoli and some other members of the Brassica family, Brussels sprouts contain something called sinigrin, a glucosinate that may prevent colon cancer, according to research.

One cup of Brussels sprouts contains 1,122 IU of Vitamin A.

That same cup also contains 669 IU of beta carotene.

A cup of cooked Brussels sprouts contains about 60 calories.

1/2 cup contains 80% of the RDA of Vitamin C.

And well, they are just plain cute. Vegetables can be cute, right? Brussels sprouts definitely win my vote.

Cucumber Avocado Salad

I had an avocado going bad in the fridge and some fresh cucumber from Paul's garden that I wanted to find some way to make a delicious salad with. This recipe was very simple and I found all of the ingredients right in my fridge. I liked the lemon-lime salad dressing because it didn't come from a bottle with any added sugar like most bottled salad dressings.

Okay, I have to admit, I wasn't in love with this recipe. I guess you have to really love avocado and cucumbers to love this recipe, which Mom does. She probably could have eaten the entire bowl of this stuff.  Which is the main reason why I am adding this recipe to this blog. I wish I had liked it more, and I will definitely make it again and eat some because I should like this more.

Did you know avocado's lower bad (LDL) cholesterol and raise good (HDL) cholesterol?

I didn't until yesterday. But this is just another reason to eat more avocados.

I have two more in the fridge that I'll need to eat soon anyway.