Spend more time with your family, and less time in the kitchen. These can be made a day ahead. Store in an oven proof serving dish that will go from oven to table.
Orange Maple Glazed Baby Carrots with Sage
This is all done in one pan. Put it in the oven, and it cooks itself. Organic carrots are sweeter than conventional, so use organic if you can get them.
Serves 4
1 lb organic baby carrots
1 tbsp good quality vegetable oil or butter
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp orange zest
Juice of 1 orange
1/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp chopped fresh sage
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Toss all ingredients in a baking pan
Bake uncovered until carrots are caramelized, about 30 minutes
Garnish with sage, and serve
Creamy Cauliflower Mash
This is a simple and tasty low carb substitute for mashed potatoes
Serves 4
Place in a sauté pan:
1 large head of cauliflower broken into florets
2 cloves garlic peeled
1/2 inch water
1/4 tsp salt
Cover and simmer over low heat until cauliflower is very soft, about 20 minutes
Remove from heat and add:
2 tbsp non-hydrogenated butter spread, or good quality butter
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp ground white pepper
Using an immersion hand blender*, puree cauliflower until smooth, season to taste with salt and pepper
*If you do not have an immersion blender, use a traditional blender or food processor