Mr. Bijoy Writes

Here's the thing, brussel sprouts don't suck. However, if they are overcooked or mushy, they do suck. So, try this recipe to make healthy, happy brussel sprouts! And no, your mother did not tell me to post this. What ya need: 1 1/2 cups of fresh brussel sprouts 3 roughly chopped shallots 1/4 tablespoon of olive oil 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper 1/8 teaspoon of crushed red pepper Ok, so: Bring about 2 cups of lightly salted water to a boil in a large pot. Insert a steamer basket filled with the brussel sprouts. Cover and let steam for 7 minutes. Remove them from the pot and set aside in bowl. Now, in a heavy pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the sprouts, shallots, black pepper, and crushed red pepper. Cook until brown, being careful not to stir too often, as this might break the brussel sprouts apart. Serve immediately and enjoy!

I really enjoy onion rings, but I really don't like how unhealthy they are. So I scoured the internet to find a good recipe for a baked onion ring. I found a few, but none were really that great.  So, I decided to combine the best parts of each recipe and give it a whirl. It turned out pretty good! Try it and let me know what you think! What ya need: 2 medium sweet vidalia onions, cut into 1/2 inch slices and separated into rings 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon of freshly-ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon of fine red chili powder (cayenne will suffice) 1/2 cup of non-fat plain yogurt 1 egg 1/2 cup  of all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups of crushed kettle-cooked potato chips 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil Ok, so: Preheat your oven to 450ºF.  Now, take two medium to large bowls and, in the first one, combine 1/4 cup of flour, salt, pepper and red chili powder. In the second, combine the yogurt, egg and 1/4 cup of flour and whisk until a smooth batter is f...

A healthy side-dish is always a good choice. Here's a healthy and delicious side dish for you to enjoy. It's a perfect addition to any lean protein, but also tastes great on its own as a snack. Let me know what you think of it! What ya need: 1 pound of fresh asparagus   1 tablespoon of quality olive oil (you don't need extra virgin, unless you prefer it)   1 tablespoon of high-quality balsamic vinegar   1/2 teaspoon of fresh, minced garlic   1/2 teaspoon of kosher sea salt   1/4 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper Ok, so: Preheat your oven to 425ºF. Cut off the tough lower ends (about lower 1/6) of the asparagus and throw those away. Rinse what's left of the stalk and pat dry. Place these stalks on a cookie sheet, in a single layer, and drizzle with the oil and vinegar. After the stalks are coated, sprinkle the garlic, salt, and pepper over them.  Now bake at 425ºF for 5 minutes. Turn, or toss, the stalks and bake for another 5 minutes. Remo...

Here’s a really cool side-dish that is not only tasty, but fairly healthy. The spinach and mushrooms allow for a nutritional touch to a hearty dish. Have a great time with this and enjoy it! What ya need: 6 ounces of dried farfalle, also known as bow-tie pasta 1 tablespoon of  extra virgin olive oil 1 medium yellow onion, chopped well 1 cup of sliced portobello mushrooms, rinsed 2 cloves of fresh garlic, minced 4 cups of thinly sliced fresh spinach 1 teaspoon of fresh thyme 1/8 of teaspoon fresh ground black pepper 2 tablespoons of shredded Romano cheese Ok, so: Cook farfalle according to the directions on the box. Drain the water, but don’t rinse the pasta. In general, stop rinsing any pasta after cooking it. Well, unless the recipe calls for it. Grab a large skillet and heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, mushrooms, and garlic and cook for 3 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender. Stir in the spinach, thyme, and pepper and cook for 1 minute. Add th...

Here's a great, nutritious side dish for recipe for you. I learned how to make this when I was working at a small bistro in St. Louis. It has it's roots in Italian cuisine, but has evolved here in America. It's tasty, healthy, easy, and a perfect side dish for a weeknight meal. I hope you like it! What ya need: 6 cups of fresh cut broccoli florets 2 bunches of fresh green beans, left uncut 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon of dried red pepper flakes 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 tablespoons of freshly grated Romano cheese, if desired kosher sea salt, to taste Ok, so- Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a roiling boil. Season this water, once boiling, with a few pinches of sea salt. Now, fill a large bowl with ice water and set aside. Throw the broccoli in the pot of boiling water and let cook for 3 minutes. Immediately remove from the boiling water and toss it in the bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Repeat the cooking and shock...

For many a century, cheese has been a tasty addition to many dishes. As Wisconsin has grown to be the heartland for American cheese, many Wisconsin recipes have come forth to create an especially cheesy cuisine. I learned how to make this soup on a short tour of Wisconsin. It’s an easy and quick crowd pleaser that works as a rich side soup for any occasion. Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of butter 1 ½ teaspoons of salt 1/3 cup of chopped celery ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper 1/3 cup of chopped onions 4 cups of diced peeled potatoes 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese 3 cups of chicken broth 2 cups of milk 1 dash of paprika Ok, so: In a big pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Saute the celery and onion in the butter until the celery gives and the onions are tender. Add in the potatoes and the broth then let this simmer for about 12 minutes, covered, or until the potatoes are tender. In small batches, puree this potato mixture in a blender or food processor. Return this ...

It's almost Thanksgiving and some people are asking for creative, new ideas for Thanksgiving side dishes. I posted this earlier this year, but decided to re-post it now, for ease. Enjoy!!! --- So sweet potatoes are good. Whiskey is good. So, logically, why not mix them together and see what happens? I tried. It's good. What ya need: 2-1/2 cups cooked, mashed sweet potatoes 4 Tablespoons butter, softened 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar Pinch of salt 1/3 cup Jack Daniel's Whiskey Ok, so: Preheat the oven to 350ºF. In a big bowl, mix together the sweet potatoes, butter, brown sugar, salt, and whiskey. Spoon this mixture into a greased casserole dish or pie pan. Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes. Oh hey, you're done.

Healthy french fries exist? Well, they kind of exist. Most restaurant fries sit in the neighborhood of 400-500 calories per serving. These fries sit at around 175 calories per serving. You can thank me later. What ya need: 2 large baking potatoes 4 teaspoons of plain breadcrumbs (you don't need panko, but it works) 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder 1/4 teaspoon of kosher sea salt 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper 2 egg whites non-stick cooking spray Ok, so- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Now, half the potatoes, lengthwise and then cut each half into 1/4 inch thick fries. Pat the fries dry with a paper towel and set them aside. In a large plastic Ziploc, or off-brand, bag mix together the spices and the breadcrumbs. Then, in a large bowl, whisk the egg whites until they are a little foamy. You'll know when you're there, don't worry. Throw the fries into the eggs until the fries are well-coated. Then,...