Today I’m linking up real fast with Julie & Jacqui to share some quick, easy, smaller-portion recipes for those spending the holidays with a smaller crowd- think one to three people. I don’t usually do recipe posts, but these are go-to ones for me that come in handy when you’ve got some leftover ham or chicken and you’re hurting for a side dish.
Honey-Glazed Carrots
In a pan melt about 2 tablespoons of butter. Add a handful of baby carrots- essentially as many as you’ll want to eat because this doesn’t keep well. Drizzle honey over carrots. Sprinkle a small handful of brown sugar over carrots. Mix. Cook until carrots are soft, stirring occasionally (~15 min). Serve immediately.
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Smashed Potatoes
This one comes from the talented Pioneer Woman herself. Salt the water & boil some red potatoes until they’re soft (~12 min). Only boil as many as you’ll eat… I typically consume two or three. Remove from water and place on an oil-drizzled cooking sheet. Smash the potatoes twice in a crisscross pattern, flattening them and making a mark/breaking the skin. Brush each potato with melted butter and sprinkle generously with kosher salt (and maybe add a seasoning of your choice- rosemary, thyme, etc.) and bake at 450 degree on the top rack for 20 minutes. Done!
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Roasted Veggies
You can roast anything, guys. Here are two of my favs, both roasted at 425 degrees:
Cauliflower – Cut up some florets, toss on rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with oil, sprinkle some thyme, season with salt and pepper, and stick them in the oven for 35 minutes. Pull ’em out, sprinkle on some Parmesan cheese and toss, then slide them back into the hotbox for 10 minutes.
Asparagus – Toss the stalks in some olive oil, teriyaki sauce, and soy sauce. Put some foil on a baking sheet, spread the asparagus out so it’s not stacked, sprinkle some garlic powder over it, and roast those puppies for 12 to 15 minutes. SO GOOD.
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Viola! Super hard to mess up and super yummy to eat!
Checkout the link-up for other tasty recipes!
Life as Louise 
Those all sound super good!!! I’ve never made smashed potatoes but that sounds so so good!
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SO good and SO easy! Almost finger-food, actually!
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i LOVE roasted veggies! i roasted a bunch of brussel sprouts the other day… YUM!
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Yummy yum yum! K doesn’t like brussel sprouts so those don’t get made as often… but I love ’em!
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I haven’t made crash potatoes in an eternity.
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I made them for a cookout over the summer and after dinner was over there were a few left on the pan. None of us could resist picking at them and plopping them in our mouths when taking a trip through the kitchen for a drink or napkin. Haha!
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yumm I need to make smashed potatoes so badly. PW can do no wrong in my book… 🙂 Yumm… now i want #alltheveggies XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
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She’s so funny/talented/pretty/entertaining! I’m a big fan!!
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Roasted veggies are my favorite veggies. I looove me some roasted asparagus and potatoes and brussels sprouts and broccoli.
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YES. I am all about the veggies! I just don’t understand people that hate vegetables! Haha!
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Roasted veggies are my favourite way to eat them! I make a similar carrot recipe but instead of honey we use maple syrup(because I’m Canadian, obviously! LOL)
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Huh. I’ve never tried maple syrup! We may have to experiment in our house… 😉
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Look at all the MEAT FREE ideas here.You did this for me, didn’t you? 😉
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Just for you, girl 😉 Haha! I’m sure you’ve tried all these before! (And if not, get on it! Haha!)
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I keep meaning to try out honey glazed carrots and I have yet to do it. I need to get on that!
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It’s so simple and pretty inexpensive, too! Hah! Hope you get to try ’em soon!
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These sound AMAZING!
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Definitely delicious, tried-and-true recipes!
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Roasted veggies are my favorite! These look like awesome side dishes!
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I LOVE vegetables! Seriously one of my favorite foods!
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