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Sweet Potato, Quinoa and Dark Chocolate Coconut Crumble Crunch Muffins
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Plus some pomegranates too (if I knew how to do that winking emoji I so would, but I am lame and don’t).
So I gotta say, this is kind of the best healthy comfort food I have had in a while. I could totally eat this all week; carbs, coconut, curry, avocado, maple roasted fall veggies, pecans.
Plus some cheese.
Gotta throw in a little cheese. I mean, it is Monday, cheese makes a Monday more palatable.
Speaking of Monday and the weekend, how was yours? Hopefully it was good and relaxing.
Mine was definitely not relaxing, but then over here that pretty much never happens. Really, I think it is impossible.
But actually I did do some thinking over the weekend. Just thinking about this blog, you guys, and how I love every single second of what I do every day.
Ok, well not every second. I totally dread the hour to an hour and half I spend at the end of the day scrubbing down the kitchen. Yeah, that is definitely my very least favorite part of my day. I gotta do it though, if I don’t I honestly cannot concentrate knowing the kitchen is dirty. Totally OCD about it.
This may be a little boring, or maybe even a little too heavy for some of you, but I just feel like writing today. If you only want to read about the food, I totally understand. But you should skip down to the last paragraph!
Anyway, I was thinking about how I have certain people in my life that are clearly very disapproving and unsupportive of what I am doing.
And by doing, I mean recipe developing, making messes, cooking, baking, styling, photographing (and sometimes screaming) writing, pinning, and just plain working my happy little butt off day in and day out.
What I am about to write may be ballsy to post for all to read, but honestly I am not worried at all. Those said unsupportive people do not read what I write on here every. single. day. They do not look at the photos I work so hard to make better and better on a daily basis. When we do actually talk, which over the years has become more and more rare, I am never asked about the site or my side free-lance projects I am working on. It is all just ignored.
Completely. Superficial conversation.
I know this is heavy for a Monday and typically I really like to keep things fun and stress free around here, but lately I feel like it might be good for you guys to really get to know me.
To be able to relate.
And for some reason I feel like pretty much everyone can relate to this type of experience in one way or another.
Best friends, boyfriends, husbands, parents, grandparents? At some point in everyone’s life I think they are going to go against the opinions of their loved ones, or their friends, or even their bosses and do what they think they need to do.
And that is what I did.
I went the untraditional route.
The route that had me finish college at eighteen, and did not present me with the typical college experience, another major source for disapproval. Yet it was also the route that led to food blogging and a life so busy, so grateful and so happy.
I have decided that I am tired of feeling bad I let them down? The people in my every day life: mom, dad, brothers, sister, friends, cousins, they all could not be happier for me. And really, that is all I care about. I have finally decided to let it go.
I am doing what I want, and even though it takes all my courage to say this, I am actually somewhat successful at it too. It still amazes me. Like I really cannot believe it.
For some reason today, I feel extra grateful.
And I just thought I would share a little detail of my life. Even if it is not some amazing story, and even if it is not beautifully written (my writing is definitely my weakest area of blogging) – it is still something I felt I should share.
The point is don’t let people hold you back. You have to do what is right for you, not any one else. And at this point in my life this is right for me. I am without a doubt the happiest I have ever been in my life. Sure I may be the busiest I have ever been, the tiredest I have ever been and at times stressed, but it is all in a good way. It works for me!
And I am done with the heavy stuff.
Let’s talk easy, HEALTHY, fall COMFORT food.
Heck YES!
Basically, it is the fall version of this bowl.
And I may just like it better. It seriously has all of my very favorite things. Butternut squash, acorn squash, brussel sprouts, sweet potatoes, pomegranates, pecans, coconut rice and avocado flavored with curry.
With a little sprinkle of goat and blue cheese.
So much flavor in one bowl.
And it is so easy to throw together. The ingredient list is long, but once you get the veggies in the oven, start the rice and mash-up the avocado you have a good thirty to thirty-five minutes to just chill. Clean the kitchen, take a shower, read a book, talk to your mom (!), make some dessert, drink a beer or whatever!
Oh and the smells? The smells are amazing. The smells alone makes this dish worth making.
Roasted Harvest Veggie, and Curried Avocado + Coconut Rice Bowls
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories Per Serving: 383 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
Roasted Harvest Veggies
- 1/2 cups a butternut squash peeled, cubed and seeds removed (about 1 to 1 1/2 )
- 1/2 in an acorn squash sliced 1/2-inch thick rounds and seeds removed
- 1 small sweet potato chopped
- 1 1/2 cups raw brussels sprouts stems cut off then cut in half
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- pinch of salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup pecans
- 1/2 cup goat cheese or blue cheese crumbled
- arils from one pomegranate or may sub dried cranberries here is how to [deseed the pomegranate | https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/deseed-pomegranate-pictures/]
Coconut Rice
- 1 cup uncooked jasmine rice
- 1 cup light canned coconut milk
- 3/4 cup coconut water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened flaked coconut
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Curried Avocado
- 2 avocados peel, pitted and lightly mashed
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 1 jalapeno seeded and chopped
- 1 lime juiced
- 1/4 teaspoon thai red curry paste optional
- 3/4 teaspoon curry powder I used spicy curry powder
- 1/8 teaspoon ginger
- 1 teaspoon honey
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- In a small bowl whisk together the olive oil, the chili powder, cayenne, maple syrup and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Spread the veggies out in a single layer on one or two baking sheets. Drizzle the olive oil mixture over the veggies and toss well to coat. Roast until vegetables are tender and starting to brown, 35 to 45 minutes, stirring the veggies halfway through. During the last 15 minutes add the pecans and toss to coat.
- While the veggies roast start the rice. Add the coconut milk and coconut water to a medium size pot. Bring to a low boil and then add the rice, salt, unsweetened coconut and coconut oil. Stir to combine and then place the lid on the pot and turn the heat down to the lowest setting possible. Allow the rice to cook ten minutes on low and then turn the heat off completely and let the rice sit on the stove, covered for another 20 minutes (don't take any peeks inside!). After 20 minutes remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. Note that rice can cook differently for everyone, this is just what works for me.
- Make the curried avocado. In a bowl lightly mash the avocado. Stir in the cilantro, jalapeño, lime juice, curry powder, honey, ginger, cayenne and a pinch of salt and pepper. Lightly mash once more.
- To assemble your bowls, add rice to each bowl top with roasted veggies and dollop with a good amount of avocado. Top with goat cheese or blue cheese, the roasted pecans and pomegranate arils. Serve!
So pretty too? Just could not stop taking photo, after photo. Sorry, but not really!
Simply beautiful and delicious! Thanks for sharing, girl!
Thank you so much, Sandy!
I know how you feel – I always felt like if I did something off the beaten path, I’d disappoint my family or something and I never really did anything outside the norm. I’m proud of you and for going forward and doing what YOU want to do. People often judge and talk you down because they want to so badly do it themselves and want to be where you are. It’s jealous 101, i think, haha – I love everything about your blog. You’re so unique and seriously, I stare at my screen sometimes and i’m like ‘how in the world would she think those two flavors would go together?’ you’re adventurous and i love that. keep at it, girl! xoxo
Wow! Thank you so much, Julie! I look up to you as a blogger, so your comment just blows me away! Thank you! 🙂
Tieghan, I am sooooo glad you are not listening to the naysayers! For selfish reasons because I LOVE your recipes and want you to keep them coming. I do relate about some naysayers, BUT, I have learned. People say nay to your dreams because they are often too scared to go after their own. It seems like a nasty thing to say, but I have noticed this time and time again. They are jealous. Love you and your blog! You do the most amazing work and even though I am like 10 years older, I look up to your blog a lot. You do killer work!
Thank you SO much, Sophia! I could not agree more with what you said! It is kind of sad, but true!
Thanks for reading and commenting daily! 🙂
Good for you! You are talented and I look forward to reading your blog everyday!
Next time you are in Rocky River, would love to meet you!
Hi Cathy!! Thanks so much! Not sure when the family is headed back your way, but I am sure Maggie will let you know! I would love to meet you!
Ignore the naysayers, because you are one talented girl and keep doing what you are doing! And, yes, I agree this dish looks awesome and I bet smells incredible.
Thank you so much, Naomi! The means the so much coming from you!
Those who won’t support you, whatever you want to do with your life, are not worth your time and energy. Maybe it’s jealousy that they haven’t found something to be passionate about in their lives, who knows. And if you have the support of the people who truly love you, what else is there? What I do know is that you are inspiring a lot of people out here in internet land and that’s an utterly amazing thing!
This bowl is definitely my kind of meal, seemingly random combinations, turning out to be fantastic!
Oh wow!! Thank you so much, Christina! This was such a nice comment and so supportive. It means so much! Thank you, thank, thank you! 🙂
Tieghan, I totally commend you for putting it out there. Sometimes just doing that alone is enough to help you let it go. I have to say, I’ve been there myself. Going to culinary school and entering into the food industry was a MAJOR career change for me, and there were a lot of skeptical people. And unfortunately, sometimes the negative voices are louder than the positive ones. BUT, I have to say, I think more often than not, everyone ends up coming around in the long run–especially when they see how happy YOU are and how successful and talented you are in this new path! 🙂
Thanks Laura!!
I bet that was crazy hard making such a big career change, but I am so excited and happy you did! Your blog is one of my favorites and your photos and recipes are gorgeous!
Wow you realy have a way with words! I simply loved the topic of this post. While being bright and happy is all well and good; it is nice to know you have a deeper, more vunverable side which we can all relate to.
Such a terrific healthy salad Love the addition of pomegranate seeds
Thank you, Belinda!! I was nervous when writing this post, but am very happy i did!
I could totally go for a bowl of this for breakfast right now!
Hehe! Thanks Kevin!
Home run, Tieghan! These things are exactly what I want to eat every single day! I love roasted vegetables and could spoon feed myself guacamole all day long! Love, love, love!
Thanks Julia!! I feel the same way! 🙂
Yum yum, I could definitely see myself making a big vat of this to eat all week. Love this recipe, so many flavors!
Thanks Ali!
I believe in letting go of the negativity in our everyday lives; whether it be people, things, places, etc. During the last couple years of my life, I cut ties from negative extended family members, and it was the best thing I could have done. Usually negative people who bring you down are just not happy with their own lives, and need to bring down someone (or everyone they come in contact with) just to make them feel better about their place in life. Cut ties with them and run the other way; let them be miserable by themselves and sit in their own drama that they stir up for themselves. Keep doing what you do because you’re good at it! Have a Happy Monday. =)
Thank you so much, Jae!! Great advice!
Comfort food for sure! This looks soooo freaking awesome!
Thanks Katrina!
You do a wonderful job here Tieghan. It’s true that you have no idea how hard a blogger works until you try it. I also spend countlesss hours on my blog trying to improve.
I think you were meant to be in food blogging. I love stopping by here with all your wonderful dishes.
Keep your chin up and pressing on girl!
Thank you, Melanie! It is so true that you never know how hard a blogger works until you step a day in their shoes!
Don’t hate me but I don’t care much for cheese BUT that big dollop of guac? OH YES PLEASE
Ha! Don’t worry, I still like you! 🙂
I am all about the avocado too!