Lemon Garlic Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Pine Nuts & Parmesan

Brussel Sprouts are one of those vegetables that as a child I would not eat. At all. I would feed them to the dog, the cat, I once stuffed them into my sock, I tried the hide them under the other food, I even tried to be stubborn, demanding that I would not eat them.....ever....no matter what. Somehow my parents took the hint and stopped buying them. Then as an adult I had them roasted and HOLY COW they were not the same vegetable. I can literally eat this entire pan for dinner. No meat required. I don't know what my family plans on eating...


Lemon Garlic Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Pine Nuts & Parmesan

1 bag of brussel sprouts (I just buy the ready to use ones)
1/2 lemon
1/2 tsp garlic powder (about)
1/2 tsp lemon pepper seasoning (about)
1 TB olive oil (about)
1/2 cup roasted pine nuts
1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan


slice each in half
dump on a cookie sheet. I sprayed with canola spray only because my cookie sheets are ancient.
squeeze 1/2 a lemon on them

Sprinkle the garlic powder over
And lemon pepper seasoning
drizzle olive oil and toss
Roast in a 450 degree oven for about 15 minutes. I like to turn them so they get brown on both sides. I like that dark brown. Thats so yummy!
Oh ya! I cant wait to eat!
Sprinkle with the pine nuts and Parmesan. This is heaven!

Grilled Ham & Cheese for The Ballplayer

When The Fireman is working I try to cook lighter. I can eat a bowl of vegetables and be happy. Not the case with my son. He loves sandwiches. We have some leftover ham from the other night so I am making him a couple grilled ham and cheese sandwiches. These are just for him. Perfect for a growing teenager after a windy baseball practice.

Grilled Ham & Cheese
4 pieces Italian bread (why Italian? because The Ballplayer is obsessed with it for his morning French Toast)
Monterey Jack cheese
Ham
butter
dijon mustard (optional it is what I would put on the sandwich if I was eating it)

Butter all sides of the bread. And layer with Cheese
I told you we had leftover ham. I love buying hams when they are on sale and then freezing them for later
I like to get my pan heating on medium while I butter the bread, then put the bread on the pan open faced to assemble. I love to use Jack cheese, it is mild and a nice alternative to cheddar. It melts nice too.
Cover with ham and a lid just for about 30 seconds to ensure that the cheese melts. I promise it will still be crunchy.
Add the second piece of bread and flip. See, golden brown!
And the cheese is melted!
I love when the cheese melts out of the side.
Let the sandwich rest before you slice.
Oh I love that oohy gooey goodness! I might have to steal his sandwich!
DINNER!