side dish – Fervent Foodie

Back Pocket Kale Salad

January 26, 2019 1 Comment

A big thanks to Hook Line and Savor for sponsoring this post and for creating great-tasting, allergy-friendly, clean ingredient products. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

In my opinion, every person should have a kale salad recipe in their back pocket. This is important. File it under Mary’s life rules to live by. Whether you’re the only vegetarian in your family or the only person in your circle who cares about hitting your daily green quota, kale is there for you my friend. In the past year, I think I’ve brought a kale salad to every family dinner I’ve been invited to. Sometimes I’m the only one who eats it, but I’m not complaining. In fact, if I were a vegetable, I think it’s safe to say I’d be a kale salad. And if you think that sounds boring as far as anthropomorphized vegetables are concerned, then you don’t even know kale salad. It’s healthy, hearty, and surprising every time. Just as I hope to be. Don’t sleep on kale salad, y’all.

I’ve documented many times here on the blog that I prefer weeknight dinners that are fast and balanced. Ain’t nobody got time to make an apple and pear mostarda on a Tuesday night… I save that sort of cookery for the weekends. Instead, I opt for fast proteins and even faster vegetables, like this delightful meal of kale salad and beer battered haddock from Hook Line and Savor. Side note: this beer battered haddock is dairy, egg, and gluten free, and is cooked from frozen in about 25 minutes. Plenty of time to make yourself a nice kale salad.

Recipes

2 Easy Grilled Vegetarian Sides {recipe}

July 5, 2015 3 Comments

If you caught my last recipe post, you already know I’ve been tricking myself to eat fish by throwing it in a taco and adding excessive toppings, like a parent hiding veggies in their kid’s mac and cheese. It’s sad but true. Of course, grilling fish makes it a little more palatable, plus nothing beats grilling in the summer (even if it is fish…). Fresh. Fast. Flavorful. And so darn pretty.

My Favs, Recipes

Roasted Parmesan Brussels Sprouts {recipe}

November 6, 2012 8 Comments

If you look at any list of most-hated vegetables, Brussels sprouts are at the top of the pack. I don’t understand it! When did Brussels sprouts get such a bad wrap? Call me weird, but I even liked them as a kid–though, back then my step mom covered the sprouts (and all vegetables, for that matter) with a thick blanket of melted Velveeta cheese. So, I’ve been eating Brussels sprouts since the 90’s, since before it was cool, that is, and mispronouncing the veggie just as long. I mean, did you know there was an “s” at the end of “Brussel”? It’s even more baffling than the first time I saw sprouts still attached to the stalk! (If you have no clue what I’m talking about, check out this pic!). CRAZY!

Brussels sprouts are one of my go-to vegetable sides, and this easy recipe resulted in the best batch of sprouts I’ve ever cooked. Tender, slightly salty, and dusted with sharp Parmesan cheese.