Finally, 70+

After this uber cold spring we've been having, I really thought the warm and sunny days were never coming. After all, it was only 8 days ago we had snow showers and a high of 37 with 40+ mph winds making it feel like 25!!

But come they did! That's right, Mother Nature had pity on us, and exactly one week after that loveliness, we had blue skies, the sun was shining and the thermometer read 75...76...77...78...basically, heaven on earth! 

I am a sucker for warm weather. I loathe winter. I can't help it. Like my husband says "You don't have to shovel sunshine." No joke, the minute the weather began to change, I could feel my entire mood improve with it. I was ready to bust out the capri pants, flip flops and get outside. (Okay, I can't like, being naturally hot blooded, plus pregnant, I would have been wearing both of those back in February had I not had to worry about frostbite, since I am heating from the inside out!)

Plus, I felt like cooking again. After all the weeks of nausea, and just being so dog gone tired, I have to admit my time in the kitchen working on new recipes for you guys has been sparse. I just find myself leaning on those tried and true ones that I can make with my eyes closed, making it easier on myself. 

It was time to come up with something new. Something to celebrate the weather. Something that says backyard eating or cooking out. Well, what says that better than a coleslaw? But this isn't your old stand by slaw recipe. This uses one of my favorite veggies out there...Brussels sprouts! If you've never had them raw, you might think I'm crazy, but they are just baby cabbages, so think of it as coleslaw, miniature size! 

This comes together in almost no time. Seriously, the most time consuming part will be slicing the sprouts, I promise. Plus, it has to sit in the fridge for a bit anyway, so you can easily make it ahead and have it waiting on you when you're ready to eat.

If the warm, sunny spring days haven't found your neck of the woods yet, have faith. They will. If they can come to Indiana, they can come anywhere! And now, we can start focusing on all those summer time barbecues, picnics, parties and all the yummy food, like this, that is to come!

Brussels Sprouts Slaw

1 lb. Brussels Sprouts, thinly sliced or shaved

1/2 c. dried cranberries

1/3 c. chopped pecans

1/2 c. mayo

1/2 tsp. celery seed

1 TBS Dijon mustard

2 tsp. lemon juice

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

Salt and Pepper to taste

In a large bowl combine sprouts, cranberries and pecans. Toss well. In a small bowl whisk together mayo, mustard, celery seed, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Pour over sprout mixture. Stir well. Chill 2 hours before serving. 

Shared at Weekend Potluck