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Kale, Brussel Sprout, and Bacon Salad with Maple Candied Walnuts

Sharonda Shariee Short:

Kale, Brussel Sprout, and Bacon Salad with Maple Candied Walnuts

Something a little lighter after the holiday fixings… THIS IS IT! 👌🏾

Next time I’d sub the kale for spinach or a spring mix.

I’d also sub the pomegranate seeds for dried cranberries (Craisins).

We made a honey lemon vinaigrette to drizzle on top, instead of the cinnamon dressing the recipe uses.

And get the Manchego cheese! It really does put the finishing touches on it.

Inspired by this recipe:

https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/kale-bacon-salad/

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Shrimp & Sausage Cabbage

Shrimp & Sausage Cabbage

I like to give credit where credit is due, but honestly, I have seen a variation of this shrimp, sausage, and cabbage recipe all over Instagram.  I thought my family would love this, or at the very least, like it.  I thought you would as well.

Here Is What You Will Need

1 – 32oz. Bag of Raw or Cooked Shrimp
2 – Heads of Raw Cabbage
2 – Sausage Links
2 – Boxes of Krusteaz® Honey Cornbread
6 – Corn on the Cobs (cut in half)
Garlic Butter to Sautee
Salt & Pepper to taste

Put It All Together

You can use whatever sausage links you like, including andouille, beef, and turkey.

I used these:

I have never made cabbage in my life, so I asked my husband to prepare the cabbage.  I knew if he did it, there would be no taste experimenting, and me potentially ruining the dish. 

Edward said all he does is cut the cabbage down into bit-sized pieces, put it in a pot with a little water to cover the bottom, season it with salt and pepper to taste, and cook for about 30 minutes.  The cabbage should be tender.

Moving along, I do not handle shrimp and I almost always buy shrimp that is already shelled and deveined, and I asked my son to peel the tails off. 

At this point, you all are wondering, what did she do exactly?  Look, this meal was a collaborative effort. lol

As the cabbage cooked, I cut the sausage links into chef-like angled pieces, (this shape makes it seem like you are a professional) and then I pan-fried the sausage.

I sauteed the shrimp in this garlic butter, and then combined the sausage, shrimp and cabbage.

I boiled the corn on the cob and baked cornbread (this was happening simultaneously).

The Verdict

I served this as a main dish, but everyone felt it should be a side dish. My response: A dish with shrimp AND sausage AS A SIDE!? Okkayyy…. Hahaha, but they all liked it!

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Sweet Potato Hash Scramble

Sweet Potato Hash Scramble

If it is not candied yams, I do not want to try it.”  Those were the words that my son spoke to me when I asked if he wanted to try the sweet potato scramble.

Sweet Potato Hash Scramble with Turkey Sausage, Bell Pepper, White and Green Onion

I first had this sweet potato recipe as part of the continental lunch paired with a mixology class my husband and I attended.  We took a bite at the same time, and both our eyebrows raised and said, this really has potential.  I knew I would remake it at home, my way, and I did.

Here Is What You Will Need

1 – White Onion
1 – Red Bell Pepper
1 – 8 ounce Turkey Sausage Chub
1 – Bunch 0f Green Onion
2 – Bag of Fresh/Frozen Diced Sweet Potato
2 – Piece of Bread for Toast (optional)
2 – Egg (optional)
Salt, Pepper, and Cumin to Taste

Put It All Together

First, I cooked down the turkey sausage.  Removed the sausage from the electric skillet.

Diced the red bell pepper and white onion and sauteed them.  Removed them from the skillet.

Next, I added enough extra virgin olive oil to the bottom of the skillet, added the sweet potatoes, seasoned them with salt, pepper, and cumin to taste, and let them lightly brown.  Flipped the sweet potatoes to make sure they were crisped on all the edges.

Then I combined the turkey sausage, red bell pepper and white onion, and added them back to the skillet with the sweet potatoes and garnished with green onion.

Lastly, I fried the eggs separately and we ate them on the side, along with a piece of toast with apricot jelly to complete the meal.

The Verdict

sweet-potato-hash-scramble-fried-egg-and-toast-apricot-jelly
sweet-potato-hash-scramble-fried-egg-and-toast-apricot-jelly

We loved this meal.  Like my son, I would not have typically eaten sweet potatoes without them being candied, but this scramble is absolutely now on our regular menu rotation.  It made me happy. 

Only one of our kids tried it and liked it, so we were secretly ecstatic we had leftovers.  Warms up fabulously.  The second day we ate it with scrambled eggs, a better option than fried eggs.

Let me know if you give it a try.

Self-Care, Uncategorized

Fuchsia Spa – Sunlighten Infrared Sauna

You all know I live for finding things that are an experience, fun, and worth the coins, especially if it provides health benefits.  I found this cute little spa, Fuchsia Spa, and near my home.  That made me extremely happy, not a far drive.  The staff was pleasant, and facility was exceptionally clean.  Let us get to why I sought out Fuchsia Spa.

I have severe inflammation in my hip (hip bursitis).  It evolved while carrying my daughter in my womb and it has never gone away.  Anyhow, I am always on a quest to find soothing options, such as regular turmeric supplements, foods that reduce inflammation, so on and so forth.

If you have experienced the fire that hip bursitis sets a blaze within in your tendons, googling soothing relief is endless.  I came across an article, and you know it takes just one article to send me into the rabbit hole, of infrared sauna therapy.

I found the nearest and most suitable spa, where infrared treatments were a service and gave it a whirl.  The sauna space was cute, clean, and tranquil.  I took two books with me, since I would be in the sauna for one-hour.  May as well knock out a few chapters of something.

The experience was HOT.  I entered the sauna at 135 degrees, and it slowly climbed to 160 degrees.  If you have ever been in any sauna, there was no difference.  I was a bit taken back because there were no red lights, as the treatment name alluded.

You had a choice to enter the sauna butt naked, which I immediately thought who had done that before me, in THIS very sauna, or you could keep minimal clothing on to partake in the warmth.  I chose the latter and spread three towels across the bench, because you know, the potential butt nakedness that may have taken place before me.

I removed the comfortable slippers, I almost inquired about purchasing, re-dressed, and guzzled down a chilled bottle of water, provided by the spa in a small refrigerator located in the corner.  I gathered my things, feelings sweaty but refreshed.

While the inflammation in my hip is not going anywhere after one treatment, I would certainly return as an overall weekend relaxation technique.

Location:

Fuchsia Spa-Ahwatukee
4025 E. Chandler Blvd., #3
Phoenix, AZ 85048

Cost: $19.99 (one session)

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Saltgrass Steak House

Salt Grass – The Original Texas Steakhouse

This blog post should solely say, go for the Brussel sprouts and stay for everything else.  The end.

However, we did not go for the Brussel sprouts, we went for the steak and was pleasantly surprised by how delightful the Brussel sprouts were.  Yes, delightful.  As an adult I have been attempting to overcome my childhood trauma of being made to sit at the table for hours until my Brussel sprouts were finished.  Salt Grass’ Brussel sprouts have made me fall in love with their potential. Salty, sweet, crispy with bits of real bacon encrusted throughout. Just yum.

Ok, the reason we graced Salt Grass’ doors in the first place was the reputation of their steaks. I am a steak eater, but not a thick-meat eater.  I know, does that even make sense?  Probably not, but it is the complicatedness that I am.  My husband prefers his steak medium-well and I prefer mine well-done, so we comprised on having the steak cooked well-done.  Ha-ha. The chefs cooked our ribeye steak to perfection without it being dried out, grilled nicely and it was super flavorful.  They do not hold out on the seasonings, which makes their steaks suburb.

Now, let’s talk about the jumbo jalapeños stuffed with shrimp and jack cheese.  Fried to a golden brown. Served with ranch dressing.  That is Salt Grass’ description, no need to be altered.  For the folks that may be steered away from the fact that they are technically jalapenos, but they are not spicy, at all.  We ordered 3 and ordered 3 more, they were THAT good.  Just get them, and just get the order of 6 at the beginning.  Don’t play yourself.

Salt Grass earns a solid 9/10, and they could earn a perfect score if they would add a location in our home city, Phoenix, Arizona.  Checkout one of 80 locations across the United States, Salt Grass, we need you! (total for our meal was $83, and that include a very delicious cocktail-not pictured)

Location visited:

Saltgrass Steak House
4601 City Lake Blvd W.
Fort Worth, TX 76132