January 28, 2014

Roasted Sweet Potato and Brussels Sprouts

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I cannot get enough Brussels sprouts.  They are most amazing little veggie!  I don't know I would do without them.  Ironic, because I grew up knowing them as the fabled ultimate bad guy of the veggie clan.  Like, in the books?  The little boy or girl would sit at the table all night long, refusing to eat the hideous Brussels sprouts on their plate.  Nasty little sprouts. I had never tried them, but I just knew those authors wouldn't tell me lies.


Wrong.

Mom made them last year (or maybe the year before that, I don't know) and I was hooked.  They are delicious!  They're mini cabbages, I mean, come on people - mini. cabbages.  What is not to love?  And sweet potatoes are uh-mazing.  They're actually good raw because they have that natural sweetness and I like them crunchy or cooked. 
 

 
You know what else I've realized I can't do without?  Internet connection.  Our Internet provider has it's issues (I think it and the receiver had a major falling out a couple years ago ... ) and sometimes, it just dies.  Wham, no recipe search, no emailing checking, *gasp* no blogging (did I have a life before blogging?  Wait, do I have a life now that I blog?  Hmmm.)  Anyways, when the Internet dies, I die, too.  Pathetic.  Do you realize how much of our lives are spent on the Internet?  Waaaay too much. 

Here is what I shouldn't be able to live without - a daily time with God. I invest countless hours in blogging, and pinning, and commenting, and liking and yet I balk at the 15 minutes of uninterrupted prayer time.  Seriously, what does this say about my heart?  Matthew reminds me, where my heart is there, my treasure will be also.  And then he not so subtly tells me, hon, your blogging?  It ain't gonna last in heaven!  If I'm brutally honest, I'm not investing in eternal things.  I've fallen for the lie that they aren't as valuable - or fun.  And they will continue to not be fun as long as I choose to view them that way.  Building up my heavenly treasure will be fun when I let God change my heart to look forward to opportunities to go treasure hunting. I think part of the reasons I find it so hard is heavenly treasures don't get me wordly attention.  I want the pat on the back, the thumbs up, the affirmation. I like to ignore the fact that the world's affirmation is not going to last. It's going to die and if I'm relying on it, I'm going to die, too.  A lot of affirmation is virtual these days. Comments, likes, pins (oh my gosh, I seriously squeal when I see my stuff in Pinterest. See - there it is again!  How often do I have squeal moments while in reading the Bible?  A lot less frequent.)  Maybe I need my Internet to die more often. Maybe I need to "die" too … die to my selfish, worldly desires and let God rewrite my want list.

 
 
 
Anyhoo, this is the perfect side dish.  It is easy and flavorful and I love the textures of the Brussels sprouts (mini cabbages!) and the sweet potatoes (they soften up during the baking, but still have a little crispiness on the edges that gives way to a soft and sweet inside.)  Even Brussels sprouts haters might give this one a try!  It's really pretty and the smells from the oven while it is baking?  Heavenly. 
 
Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts 
Recipe Souce: Adapted from Cinnamon Spice and Everything Nice

1 lb bag of Brussels sprouts
2 sweet potatoes
1 small onion, chopped
3-4 tablespoons oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder*
1/2 teaspoon salt*
1/4 teaspoon pepper*
1/2 teaspoon sugar*

Preheat oven to 350. 
Clean Brussels sprouts and chop sweet potatoes, so that the sweet potatoes are in cubes that are similar in size to the Brussels sprouts.
Place on baking pan.  Drizzle with oil and spices.
Bake for 30-35 minutes.
Enjoy!
 
*These are approximations. I just sprinkled it on and didn't really measure. #bloggerfail. So feel free to play around with it and adjust to your taste.

 

20 comments:

  1. Two of my favorite veggies on the same plate…yum! This looks like a delicious side dish, Mary Frances! :)

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  2. Aw how delicious!!! I love both veggies but I never roasted them together! I have to change that immediately!! :)
    xox Amy

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  3. This looks amazing!!! Love this and love sweet potatoes.

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  4. Dear Mary Frances, I know that you did not write this to gain affirmation, you wrote this from a humble heart.
    Yet, you must receive my praise humbly . You are very wise for your tender age. Always keep mindful of your blessings and thankful. Remember that all is possible with the Lord and He wants you to ask and to pray.
    You are also very wise in liking your veggies. They look wonderful.

    Blessings dearest. Catherine xo

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  5. I can't see how brussel sprouts haters could hate this dish..it looks delicious!

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  6. I love to roast vegetables! I'm not a big veggie eater (sad to say) so I think roasting them makes them so much better! This dish looks great.

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  7. I'm glad you decided to share these. I love brussel sprouts and I am always looking for new ways to enjoy it and force it on my husband who is a hater. The sweet potatoes are a perfect touch.

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  8. Um, oh my goodness. I literally want to copy all that text of that paragraph and paste it somewhere where I will never lose it. Because that was beautiful, How unbelievably true! Speaking to my heart, girl. For real. And speaking to my tummy (and my eyes with these pretty photos) with these beautiful brussels sprouts! They look delicious! Pinning! You are great! xoxo

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  9. You're so wise. Honestly, the fact that you know and acknowledge that there might be some tension in your faith life is the first step to growing closer to God. It's all about balance, and I'm fairly sure if nothing else can help you, these mini cabbages can ;)

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  10. I love baby cabbages!! It's fun to see you try something savoury :)

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  11. Mmmm I love roasted veggies! Your's look yummy :)

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  12. I know this is a side dish, but I love it so much it might turn into the main dish! :)

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  13. Mary Frances, I feel the same way about how I spend my time on the internet vs. how I spend my time with God. Let's just say, the score (not that it's about keeping score, but if it were) is not even close! Thanks for sharing this personal story. I can relate!
    Thanks also for the veggies--these are my two FAVORITE vegetables, and you just combined them. Love!

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  14. That's so me. I used to despise brussel sprouts when I was a kid (enter: two months ago) because they had such a bad bad rep, but now that I've tried them, I can honestly say that they're one of my most "favoritiest" favorite foods ever (yup, that's a word). We're having them for dinner tomorrow and that makes me so so excited yuuum! I have to try your version anytime soon. Looks so delish!

    I agree that the internet should die more often. It's such a pity that we spend so much time on it :--( x

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  15. Haha, mini cabbages. I love that description!! This dish looks amazing! :)

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  16. Thank-you so much Mary Frances! I did a little happy dance when I saw it was my recipe! I've been having internet problems all week! I installed a microsoft update and it keeps breaking the link to my router. So frustrating. Anyhoo I know what you mean. I haven't spent any time bible reading in a few months and was thinking of it today. It's coming off the shelf tonight. Thanks again!

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  17. We love roasted brussel sprouts - had not thought of pairing them with sweet potatoes. I will have to try this out. Pinning onto pinterest.

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  18. These are two of my favorites! I love making roasted brussels, but I have never made them with sweet potatoes. What a great idea!

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  19. Love these 2 sides dishes and I'm loving the combo of them even more. I think it's hard to make veggies look good but you've surely done it! Makes me want to eat them before dessert! ;)
    It's amazing how much we rely on technology. Time away from it is good for the body and mind. :)
    Tina at www.tinaschic.com

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  20. I love brussel sprouts and I'm always on the lookout for new ways to cook them. Thanks for linking up to Sweet and Savoury Sundays, stop by and link up again this weekend

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