Sorry to my friends in Buffalo buried in snow–stay safe and warm! Â We have very little snow just an hour away in Rochester, but it’s still chilly.
Also, aren’t cats kinda like dragons? Â They like to defensively guard their little burrows and sneak around peering at stuff. Â I call it Smaug-mode.
See?
Anyway, I’ve had a crazy busy week at work and just haven’t gotten around to cooking/taking pictures/etc–that unfortunate combination of too much work and too much laziness afterwards. We’ve eaten an impressive variety of frozen Trader Joe’s products (hello, vegetable samosas) that I managed to warm up in the oven, and I even made a delicious meatloaf one night. Â But then it was dark, and pictures would have been ugly, and we ate it all.
Sorry about that (it was the America’s Test Kitchen recipe, except I halved it and subbed ground turkey for beef, since that’s what we had in the freezer).
I also made this jambalaya, but didn’t take pictures of it until the second day, and I didn’t think the photos were good enough to warrant an “official” blog post. Â Since I followed the recipe almost exactly (a few tweaks passed on from the cook who taught the class), you can find it here.
Although once inserted into a blog post and not in a tiny little thumbnail in my hard drive, it looks better. Â If anyone wants, I’ll do a full post with tips once I put together a spice mix (like the pre-mixed “New Orleans” spice you can buy). Â I didn’t buy any mixes while I was in New Orleans ’cause they are loaded with salt and I’d rather make a salt-free version that I can adjust myself.
With Thanksgiving coming up, there are a few recipes I’ve been eyeing for side dishes. Â If anything turns out good, I’ll post them here.
Lastly–any recommendations for beet recipes other than pickled (yum, but over it), and plain roasted with balsamic (and occasionally goat cheese)? Â I’ve got lots to use up but am a little tired of the same old, same old, and I’ve had a few recipe failures with beets over the years, so I’m wary (note: uncooked grated beets is an automatic no).
See ya later!
Also, just in case you don’t follow me on Instagram (I accept all non-suspicious/creeper, non-client/coworker followers)…Emerson just fell asleep like this:

“My teeth are swords, my claws spears, the shock of my tail is a thunderbolt, my wings a hurricane, and my breath death!”
5 comments
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Emily @ OffTheWaller
November 20, 2014 at 10:05 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I made this beet recipe and it was great!!! We got a few in our CSA and to be honest… I kind of really dislike beets. http://minimalistbaker.com/fudgy-vegan-double-chocolate-beet-muffins/
I also wanted to try this one, but didn’t get around to it: http://jessicainthekitchen.com/beet-chips-recipe/#_a5y_p=2021870
Lauren Zietsman
November 20, 2014 at 10:12 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
oh…I have had beet chips (actually think there might be a recipe for them on my blog, ha!) but forgot about them! I like beets but I think Fritz thinks they taste like dirt.
Julie at Moon Lasso
November 22, 2014 at 7:15 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I keep trying to find a way to like beets. I’ll try to find the chip recipe. If I put even half a beet in our green juice my husband goes running and I have to drink it fast with a straw so I can’t taste the dirt. They are so good for you, so I’ll keep trying:P
Lauren Zietsman
November 23, 2014 at 4:27 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I did do beets in a smoothie once…I deeply regretted it. I actually LIKE beets and even I can’t consume them in liquid form.
Hannah
November 27, 2014 at 12:52 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I Would love to know what you come up with for a spice mix for the jumbalaya!