Butternutty Couscous + Brussels Sprouts

Poor Topanga, man.

She hasn’t gotten a blog shoutout in a hot minute.

Topanga is our 12yo shihpoo. She’s as cranky & cynical as you can imagine.

But she’s our sourpuss & we love her! Well, Garr & I love her, Lou is tolerant. Mainly because Topanga growls at her every time Lou is within 3 feet. I digress. This pup is in desperate need of a teeth cleaning. They are just…rotting in her head. & her breath! My God, I thought mine was bad. My stank mouth has nothing on Topanga. We’ve finally gotten her in for a teeth cleaning soon & I am just fearful she’s going to lose her mind. Like she’s such an indoor, lazy beast, anytime we break her routine of…nothingness, she freaks. The groomer is an event. This will be nothing short of the worst day of her life.

Honestly, she’ll probably figure out a way to escape the vet so she can find a family with no children to live with.

Time: 45 minutes (prep + cooking) | Serves: 2

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of couscous, uncooked
  • 1 package of frozen butternut squash cubes
  • 1 package of Brussels sprouts, trimmed + halved
  • 1 tbsp of maple syrup
  • 2 tsp of yellow mustard
  • 1/2 cup of almond milk
  • 1 shallot, diced
  • 1 tbsp of garlic, minced
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • 3 tbsp of olive oil
  • 1 tsp of crushed red pepper
  • S+P, to taste

How to:

  • Preheat oven to 400
  • In a bowl, combine 1 tbsp of olive oil + maple syrup + mustard + S+P
  • Add Brussels sprouts + mix to combine
  • Spread on a lined baking sheet in an even layer
  • On another baking sheet, arrange butternut squash in an even layer + drizzle with 1 tbsp of olive oil + S+P
  • Roast both for 30 minutes, tossing once in the middle
  • Meanwhile, heat remaining olive oil in a pot over medium heat
  • Add shallot, cook 2-3 minutes
  • Add garlic, cook another minute
  • Add couscous + S+P, cook another minute letting toast
  • Add water + cook couscous to package directions
  • Once squash is done, combine with almond milk in a blender until smooth
  • Add to the warm pot with cooked couscous + adjust seasoning to taste, adding red pepper flakes if you’d like
  • Stir in lemon juice with the heat turned off
  • To serve, scoop some couscous into a bowl + top with crispy Brussels
  • I know it’s still sweltering out there, but make a bowl of this + welcome the autumnal vibes

Adapted from here!

Tempeh Banh Mi

I am getting…rather large.

& I keep forgetting about it until I see a mirror or try to, oh I don’t know, just get up off the couch.

I was so hyper aware I was pregnant with Lou. It ruled all my thoughts. This time, it’s just all going by so quickly!

Granted, last time I was pregnant, Covid had locked us all down & I was forced to sit indoors on my large behind & just stare at my belly. This time, I’m moving & grooving! We’re busy with activities! I try to walk up a flight of stairs & am quickly humbled! I’m grateful it’s going by smoothly & quickly, but I also know I’ll miss it when it’s all over. I love feeling her kicks & wriggles. Even though neither Garr or Lou enjoy it…I really hope this kid gets some of my qualities & is not just a slick clone of her father.

All to say, if you see me, I am large, barely in charge & very hungry, so beware.

Time: 40 minutes (prep + cooking) | Serves: 3-4 sandwiches

Ingredients:

  • 1 package of tempeh, sliced thin
  • 2 tbsp of soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp of maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp of rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp of sesame oil
  • 1/2 tsp of corn starch
  • 1 tsp of garlic powder
  • 2 tbsp of olive oil
  • Pickled red onions
  • Pickled cucumbers
  • Shredded carrots
  • Sliced radishes
  • Big bunch of cilantro
  • Crunchy bread
  • Hot sauce or sriracha, for serving

How to:

  • In a bowl, combine soy sauce + maple syrup + rice vinegar + sesame oil + garlic powder
  • Pour over tempeh in a shallow dish, set aside to marinate for 15 minutes
  • Heat oil in a pan over medium heat
  • Add tempeh slices + cook about 3 minutes on each side, reserve the marinade!
  • Add the cornstarch to the remaining marinade
  • When the tempeh is cooked, add the marinade to the skillet + cook another minute
  • To serve, layer some tempeh on your crunchy bread + top with veggies + cilantro + hot sauce or sriracha
  • Grab a bib & dig in

Adapted from here!

Gochujang Ramen

We have to buy a new car.

I know what you’re thinking –

In this economy?!?!

Trust me, we’ve tried to finagle our way out of it, but here we are. Garr got rear ended a few months ago & apparently the car is totaled. We were like, “but are you sure…???” I don’t know if y’all are aware, but used cars in the U.S. are astronomical right now. I don’t even know who makes these decisions, but some bro decided to jack up the prices of every basic used sedan & now we’re all up a creek. I’m about to get some tags for Lou’s pink, Fisher Price car & have Garr push that to work.

If anyone has the hook up on like a 2018 Toyota Corolla with about 600 miles on it, hit a girl up.

Time: 30 minutes (prep + cooking) | Serves: 2-3

Ingredients:

  • 3 blocks of brown rice ramen
  • 1 tbsp of olive oil
  • 1 bunch of rainbow chard, removed from the stems + chopped
  • 1 tbsp of garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup of gochujang
  • 2 tbsp of brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp of tahini
  • 3 tbsp of soy sauce
  • 2 tsp of sesame oil
  • Cilantro, for serving
  • Lime, for serving

How to:

  • Cook ramen to package instructions, drain
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat
  • Add chard, cook 3-4 minutes
  • Add garlic, cook another minute
  • Meanwhile, combine gochujang + brown sugar + tahini + sesame oil + soy sauce in a small bowl
  • Turn heat down, add sauce to skillet with chard, cook another 2-3 minutes
  • Add ramen, stir to coat + combine
  • Serve hot with cilantro + lime

Inspired by this recipe!

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