Hot Chocolate Without the Brussels Sprouts

January 31 was both Eat Brussels Sprouts Day and National Hot Chocolate Day.

We didn't have any Brussels Sprouts so I made Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies (from A Season of Family Meal Plans, volume 1) with other vegetables instead. Yumm. Good with Brussels Sprouts. Good without.

Later on, I went to sleep while others in the family had hot chocolate. I obviously didn't get pictures because I was asleep. 

My friend, Stephanie, sent me Hot Chocolate Day greetings and a picture of hot chocolate she enjoyed that day. She knows how to celebrate, too. 

 

Earlier in the day, Lucky went to a friend's birthday party. He helped Jeremy build a balloon sculpture for his friend. His friend had a really good, "Whoah!" reaction when Lucky got to the party. Heh Heh. 

 

Still Cookin', Shelf Cookin' That Is

I'm still using my book, "A Season of Family Meal Plans," volume 1. I'm planning on a whole year of this because I also have volumes 2, 3, and 4. It's fun to try out new meals and some new tastes.

Tuesday we had Sweet & Spicy Sticky Chicken (original recipe is pork, but we used chicken) and Broccoli Stir-Fry for dinner. While I was working on the broccoli, two of my boys came in and said, "It smells like Brussels Sprouts in here." Nope. Broccoli. But honestly, I think the stir fry sauce would be really good with Brussels Sprouts.

We saved the Brussels Sprouts until Wednesday, January 31, Eat Brussels Sprouts Day. I saved a recipe from last week to use this week since it had Brussels Sprouts in it- Sheet Pan Sausage & Veggies. The meal had parmesan rice as a side dish so I used the recipe we always use instead of trying out a new one. If you've got a tried and true recipe, no use trying something else if you don't want to.

I wanted to keep Jet occupied while I was making dinner so I asked him to help me with the Brussels Sprouts. I was getting brown spots off, sometimes taking off whole leaves. I gave him a Brussels Sprout with instructions. After he got a leaf or two off, I told him he did a good job and he could switch for a new sprout. He really didn't want to switch and just kept taking leaves off. Well, it kept him occupied while I finished the rest of the sprouts and cut up veggies and sausages. 

He really did a number on that Brussels Sprout. So cute.

Tonight for dinner we had Instant Pot Mexican Pork with Enchilada Rice. I had only used part of a pork roast for the Mississippi Pot Roast week 1 so I cooked up this Mexican Pork another day that same week and just threw it in the freezer until we needed it. These meal plan books also have freezing suggestions for quite a lot of the recipes.

The Enchilada Rice called for enchilada sauce and I found a homemade enchilada sauce that went along with a later recipe in the book. I used that. I love that I can find so many things right in one book.

Jet liked the dinner. He kept shoveling the rice in his mouth, every once in while having to blow out through his mouth because it was spicy. So cute.

 

Eat Brussels Sprouts Day

Eat Brussels Sprouts Day was January 31. I tried out a new recipe from The Food Nanny. It had a balsamic glaze on it. After roasting the Brussels sprouts and picking at them while making the glaze, I decided (no offense to the Food Nanny), I like it better without the glaze. There was nothing wrong with the glaze, I just preferred how it was before I put the glaze on.

Pick off the old wilted outer leaves, rinse the Brussels sprouts, dry them and cut them in half. Toss them with olive oil, coarse salt, and cracked black pepper. Bake them (cut side down) in a 425 degree oven for 20-25 minutes. Eat them hot/warm. 

Sooo good. That is funny coming from me because I used to hate Brussels sprouts but I really couldn't stop picking at them before I put the glaze on. Now I can't wait to make more.

It was also National Hot Chocolate Day. Several people in the family had hot chocolate.

Backward Day 2022

Backward Day on January 31. Jr. Jr. actually wore his clothes right side out and frontways.

I did encourage everyone to eat dinner for breakfast and to make sure if they didn't have their cookie last night to have it first this morning.

 

For dinner we had toast and hot chocolate breakfast foods. Today is also National Hot Chocolate Day after all.

 

We did break from the backward thing for a bit in order for me to roast Brussels Sprouts for Eat Brussels Sprouts Day.

 

I mentioned to Nichole it was also National Bubble Wrap Day. Her response: You're welcome.