Sweet Baked Life

my sweet journey through life…

Category Archives: Side Dishes


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Parmesan & Garlic Roasted Cauliflower

Reinvent your meal with this exciting side dish of warm and wonderful Parmesan & Garlic Roasted Cauliflower. Parmesaon & Garlic Roasted Cauliflower | Sweet Baked Life

OK, don’t be shocked…but I really do post other recipes besides “sweets” on this blog! They may be few and far between, but they do exist! Some favorites include my amazing Creamy Twice Baked Potatoes, cool, Crunchy Pea Salad, and better than take out Orange Chicken. See, you really just need to do a little poking around.

Anyway, with the start of the new year, many people make resolutions to eat healthier, yes, I am one of them! So I though this delicious Parmesan & Garlic Roasted Cauliflower would be the perfect recipe to share with you.

This veggie dish is easy to prepare and taste great! You may even get your kids to eat their veggies when they are prepared this way! Cauliflower, gently roasted in the oven along with the aroma of Parmesan and garlic filling your kitchen with hypnotize even the pickiest eaters to ask for seconds! Parmesaon & Garlic Roasted Cauliflower | Sweet Baked Life

Truth be bold, I love veggies, and cauliflower is one of them. I like eating this beautiful white vegetable raw, maybe dipped into a bit of my Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing.

However I don’t really like this veggie steamed; which is the way most people prepare it. To me eating it this way just has no flavor unless you smother it with something (usually unhealthy) to make it taste better. This option is not really what I like to do, as I like to keep my veggies as natural as possible.

For this Parmesan & Garlic Roasted Cauliflower, you simply and quickly steam the cauliflower for a few minutes in the microwave, cut into slices, throw onto a baking tray, top with seasoning, Parmesan cheese and garlic cloves, put into the oven. The outcome is a truly transformed veggie! Oh yea, and it taste great too! Simple and healthy — my kind of veggie!

Parmesaon & Garlic Roasted Cauliflower | Sweet Baked LifeParmesan & Garlic Roasted Cauliflower

By: Sheila | Sweet Baked Life

Ingredients:

1 head cauliflower, florets separated from the stalk
6 cloves garlic, peeled
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
salt & pepper
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

Heat your oven to 400 degrees.

In a large microwave safe bowl add the cauliflower along with 2 tablespoons water, cover and cook on high for 1-2 minutes, or until the cauliflower is steamed but still firm. Cool slightly.

When cool, slice the cauliflower florets into 1/4 inch pieces and place on a baking sheet. Add the garlic to the pan. Drizzle the olive oil over the cauliflower and garlic and toss until well coated on the baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper, then sprinkle evenly with the Parmesan cheese. Roast in the oven for about 15 minutes, flip, then roast for another 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve immediately.

Parmesaon & Garlic Roasted Cauliflower | Sweet Baked Life

I hope this Parmesan & Garlic Roasted Cauliflower will soon become your new favorite veggie, as it as become mine!

Sheila


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The Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs

Spring has sprung and with that, it’s time to share with you how to make The Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs.

The Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs | Sweet Baked Life

It’s quick, easy and what more can I say, “perfect”!

I have been making these hard-boiled eggs for years. I’m not sure where I originally got this recipe, I think it was from my best friend’s mom. But once you prepare your eggs using this method, you will be amazed how easy it is and how perfect your eggs turn out. You may even wonder why you did not know about this secret!

It’s so simple, and in a matter of minutes, you will have The Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs, ready for your springtime meal or celebratory occasion!

And once they’ve cooled get ready to peel and eat them, or use on your favorite salad, prepare deviled eggs, egg salad sandwiches, or whatever you choose.

Me, I personally love to just sprinkle them with salt and eat them!

The Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs | Sweet Baked Life

The Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs

Eggs, as many as you need or as many fit at the bottom of your pan
Water to cover eggs

Gently place your eggs in the bottom of a medium-sized saucepan. Fill the pan with enough water to cover the eggs. Then put the pan on your stove and turn heat to medium-high. Bring the water to a boil, then immediately turn off heat, cover and remove from burner. Let eggs sit in the pan for 10 minutes. Then rinse eggs in cold water. Place eggs in a bowl and put into refrigerator until cold.

The Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs | Sweet Baked Life

Happiness is learning a new cooking trick; like how to make The Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs!

Sheila


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2 Ingredient Roasted Red Potatoes

Butter + potatoes = pure heaven! If you love potatoes like I do, then you have got to try these super easy 2 Ingredient Roasted Red Potatoes! Get ready to let these show-stopper potatoes become the star of your meal!

2 Ingredient Roasted Red Potatoes

And if you’re short on time like me these days, this post will be quick and easy — just like the recipe!

These 2 ingredient Roasted Red Potatoes are hands down the easiest potato recipe I make — and the outcome is melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness! After you try these addictive morsels, hopefully they’ll become an all-time favorite of yours too! The warm and creamy inside of these little red gems that have a bit of crunch from the butter crisped skin, will make your taste buds soar directly to cloud nine!

You’ll use two of my favorite ingredients – butter and potatoes (yes, I know not chocolate and toffee — LOL) throw them in the oven and forget them until they are done. Definitely a great side dish to whip up when you’re hustling about preparing an involved holiday production in the kitchen! Your home will be filled with a warm, rich aroma of the two comforting ingredients melding together. Ahhh…you can’t go wrong with this fool-proof recipe!

2 Ingredient Roasted Red Potatoes
(aka Sheila’s Potatoes, recipe adapted from my husband)

2 lbs. small red potatoes
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter

Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees. Wash and pat dry red potatoes. Put potatoes in a 13×9-inch baking dish, make sure you just have one layer of the potatoes. Cut butter into 1/2 inch slices and place over the top of the potatoes. Bake for approximately 1 hour, or until cooked through (tested by fork) and golden brown. Serve immediately.

Now how easy was that?? Impress your friends and family with these truly tasty 2 Ingredient Roasted Red Potatoes; super easy, super scrumptious! And in my book these warm and buttery bites are the perfect paring for any casual dinner or fancy entertaining — and great to make as part of your holiday feast!

Sheila


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Creamy Twice Baked Potatoes

Did you ever love a certain food so much that just the thought of it made your eyes light up? For me, that’s Creamy Twice Baked Potatoes. And what about if that favorite food right was right in front of you but could not eat it? Well, it happened to me! How can this be? Perfectly baked potatoes, engulfed with creamy and gooey goodness along with flavorful bits of bacon — it’s there for the taking, ready for you to eat, and you can’t. What’s up with that??

TB-Potatoes

You see when I was 10 years old I had my tonsils taken out. While I was home recovering, my parents had a dinner party, and my mom made her famous twice baked potatoes. Even though I was not supposed to eat any solid food, I had to try these incredible potatoes; I could not resist their stare, even under doctor’s orders! But only after one tiny little bite, I had to stop, as the sheer pain of the potatoes with crispy bacon sliding down my throat was unbearable. So there I was, lying in bed trying to feel better after my surgery by slowly eating something I loved, and all I could do was look at that sumptuously beautiful potato and cry. But you don’t have to! Make these comforting Creamy Twice Baked Potatoes today and you’ll be happy and warm in no time!

TB-Potatoes-1

Creamy Twice Baked Potatoes
(adapted from my mom’s recipe)

3 medium-large russet potatoes
Vegetable oil
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded cheddar/jack cheese combination
2 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 tablespoons chopped chives (plus more for garnish)

Position the rack in your oven to the center and pre-heat to 400 degrees. Wash and dry the potatoes, then pierce several times with a fork and brush lightly with vegetable oil. (I actually pour the oil in the palm of my hand and then rub the potatoes with my hands.) Place potatoes directly on the rack and bake for about 1 hour or until fork tender. Remove from the oven and cool slightly. Turn down your oven to 350 degrees.

Cut each potato in half and set inside of a baking dish. With a spoon gently scoop out the cooked potato flesh, leaving enough to keep the skin intact, and place in a large bowl. Add the melted butter and sour cream to the potato flesh and stir until combined, then slowly add the heavy cream while mixing, until you get the texture/consistence you like. Add the 1/2 cup of cheese, crumbled bacon and chopped chives and mix until combined. Fill up the potato skins with the potato mixture, sprinkle the tops with the remaining cheese and bake for about 30 minutes.

Before serving, sprinkle with some chopped chives and enjoy with your favorite entrée. Or you can serve these Creamy Twice Baked Potatoes as a main dish served with a fresh salad! Now eat up while you can!

Sheila