Guh. So much to do and so little time before tomorrow!!!
We had a nice workout today: a bike ride (about 2 miles) down to the Greenway, a 4-mile run, bike home. Our conversation was all blogs, beer, bread and a future trip to London 🙂 (Probably not until 2010 or 2011 though 🙁 )
Today’s lunch was all about beets! I picked up this jar I saw at the grocery store yesterday. I know, I know, I need to make them from scratch. But I thought I’d try this super easy kind first.
They weren’t bad! I’ve just recently started liking beets and I thought these were pretty comparable to the ones I’ve had in restaurants. I’ll make them from scratch soon 🙂
My salad was a bed of spinach topped with beets, sliced fennel (no, those aren’t onions!), carrot, and walnuts. All drizzled with Lemon Olive Oil, honey and a sprinkle of salt .
Along with my salad I had the leftover slice of Creole Frittata. SO much better topped with sharp cheddar cheese!!!
Plus a fruit:
In the process of cleaning the counters this afternoon, I broke our coffee carafe for the SECOND time. It slipped from its warming plate onto the counter and just barely tough and crack. After an hour of research on weight the pros and cons of a second replacement carafe (which would probably lead to a third…and fourth…) we debated buying a new maker altogether and getting one with a stainless carafe. After considering Consumer Reports, Amazon and Bed, Bath, Etc. (20% coupon) we decided to take NO action since all of the options required spending money and will be coffeeless until we feel more comfortable investing in a new maker. We do have a French press glass, but I will probably be drinking a lot of tea in the coming months. The husband gets his at work so he’s not the one that will miss out!
Off to try to recoup my time…
Tina says
I am starting to love beets, too! I always purchase beet dishes at restaurants because making them at home is such a pain in the butt!
Nate says
Um, I’m a little disappointed that you didn’t mention the highlight of your run.
KatieTX says
I love pickled beets in a glass jar like that! They are so easy and fairly inexpensive! Great in salads with orange flavors as well! I am so glad I don’t start class until the 21st! I am so not ready to start back! It is my last semester though!
Also, heads up…artic air is coming to the U.S. By next weekend, it will arrive. Just a heads up!
Julie says
I totally thought the fennel was onion. What does it taste like?
London!! I love London! I went almost 2 years ago and have been dying to go back ever since.
VeggieGirl says
Definitely go to London!!!
I’m quite intimidated by beets, actually, haha – I’m afraid to try them!! 😀
melissa says
Looks delicious! Just one question: could you taste the cheese? 🙂
musicfan says
beet poetry
Mel says
Your salad looks really good. I’m afraid to try beets, I guess it’s because growing up my mom always used canned beets which didn’t looks so good.
melissa says
Speaking of London, I booked a ticket yesterday for next month. My sister is studying abroad there and two of my best friends recently moved there. I will have to remember to call my oats porridge 🙂
Oh She Glows says
Sorry about the Coffee! :\
I hate when I break things in the kitchen.
I think I missed this, but what is your class schedule like this semester? Do you go back tomorrow?
Angela
www.ohsheglows.com
Anne says
homemade beets are 100% better than store-bought, but I’m too lazy to make them, but I’m lucky my mom makes them and gives me a jar or 2 every year! I hear they’re not that complicated though, a bit of vinegar, salt, pickling spice and cloves and you’re done
as for your carafe – breaking things in the kitchen sucks, but it’s a sign – a sign that you should either 1) not drink coffee; 2) only make french press (it tastes better that way, IMO)
happy last Sunday before classes!
Heather McD (heather eats almond butter) says
Two of my favorite things: beets and London. I will put beets on anything, and I lived in London for a year and a half. Didn’t you study abroad there? Ahhh, hope you get to back soon. What an amazing city!
theoddbod says
you have just inspired my dinner, merci!
Justy2003 says
I had some beets recently in a restaurant and I wasn’t a huge fan. They may take some getting used to as I have sort of a bias against them and was a little scared to try them at first!
Nancy says
I had to post because the colors in that salad are just AMAZING!!!! If that picture doesn’t want to make a person eat healthy, nothing will!
I love beets, so I think it must have been a yummy salad.
As for the coffee carafe, I had a streak of bad luck with that myself. I broke 3 in three weeks! It turns out it’s cheaper to just buy another coffee maker than to buy a replacement carafe. I did that the first time. The second time, I went to our local Goodwill store, bought a coffee maker for 5 dollars. I tossed the coffee maker, and just threw the carafe in the dishwasher. Found my replacement carafe for $5! Until I thought of that, I just stuck a small pot under the drip. I refused to spend the crazy amount of money they want for a replacement carafe.
Jen says
Yum, beets!
Maybe it’s time to switch to a Keurig Silly expensive at first, but boy, is it every handy to only make one cup at a time when you want it. Plus, you can buy the little filter that goes in and and use whatever types of coffee you like, not just their prefilled pods.
http://www.keurig.com/allbrewers.asp?mscsid=Q41BFVV0R5A18KD0TJDBSN13V7PDAW8C
Carol says
Your salad looks great. I love beets and plan to put some in the garden this year.
Good luck with first day of classes tomarrow.
We just bought a new coffee maker this week, noone broke anything it just quit working. We flipped the switch one morning and nothing happened…..we waited awhile and then went ext door to the bagel shop for coffee.
Meg says
I really need to give beets a try again. Your pics make me want to give them a chance.
Amy says
I just opened a jar of pickled beets last night, too. I canned three pints last August, and yesterday was the first time I’d opened them.
I love beets! (And they are super easy to make/can.)
Katelyn says
Lunch looks great! Beets are so easy to cook from scratch, you’ll love it.
As far as your coffee maker goes, why not just stick with the french press? I love mine dearly.
Victoria says
I hear the french press is amazing, although I’ve never used one. That salad is gorgeous.
Biz319 says
I’ve tried beets, but have never like them – your salad looks great though!
We have a Braun steel carafe – actually from BB & B – it was only like $50 but the coffee stays warm FOREVER!
It’s non unusual for Hannah to come home after school and pour herself a hot cup of coffee!
Sara says
That stinks about your coffee carafe! I’m notorious for doing the same thing with cookie jar lids. I’ve broken about 3-4 in my lifetime. 🙁 Good thinking with the French press, they are great!
K says
Kath, your pictures are stunning. The colors are so vibrant!
Beets and I don’t get along sadly 🙁
Danielle says
Oh how exciting to plan a trip to London, I’ve never been to Europe but it’s one of my top spots I want to visit.
Sorry about your coffee carafe. I hear French Press coffee is really good though.
haya (living and learning) says
i never ever use the coffee maker, even though i’ve got one (well. i use it if more than 3 people are around and want coffee, i guess but that is a rare event). the french press is standard in my life. you’ll still be able to enjoy your coffee as before, maybe even more so! (though maybe it is a good idea to work on cutting it out again anyway! i like a cup now and then but have not made a habit out of drinking it. i feel that’s probably better for me. it also means that when i need the caffeine, the coffee works really well on me!)
Erin says
Kath,
Have you heard of a k-cup coffee machine?
They make a single cup at the time with inserts. The coffee doesn’t get cold and the only thing you have to wash is your mug! No carafe needed. And the inserts come in multiple flavors.
http://www.keurig.com/
The sell them at Bed, Bath & Beyond and ever since we picked one up I have been so happy
Sally says
Yum, I love beets as well. Mark Bittman’s method (wrap them individually in foil, then roast) is easy and not too messy.
Have you ever tried making cold-press coffee? It is delicious and doesn’t require any fancy equipment – just a bowl and a sieve. The way I do it is to mix 3/4 cup ground coffee with 4 cups water and let it sit in a bowl on the counter for 10-12 hours. Sometimes I’ll add a cinnamon stick or a few cardamom pods for flavor. Then strain out the coffee grounds, which results in a coffee concentrate that can be mixed with water or milk (cold or hot) for a delicious beverage! Also, the coffee concentrate keeps in the fridge so you can make it in advance and then have a coffee whenever you want one.
Missy (Missy Maintains) says
Sorry about the coffee maker! Yummy salad! I tried beets a few months ago and did not like them but maybe I will try again!
www.missymaintains.blogspot.com
Kinder says
Yumm to the beets – I had spinach salad for lunch today too, and wish that I had thought of having beets with it! Canned non-pickled beets are good too!
Sorry about the coffee pot – sounds like a sign though!
kateswholeplate says
I still can’t make myself like beets. Maybe if they were hidden or pureed in something? They look pretty!
Kristie says
I love french press coffee, I make it all the time. Maybe if you use that instead you won’t ever even WANT to go back to a standard coffee pot!
Becca A says
I love beets but am afraid of the mess that will ensue if I make them at home!
zestycook says
Kath, I am so impressed with your pictures as of late! Amazing. The beet salad looks yummy. Sorry I am so late commenting…been a busy weekend around zesty’s house.
Kath says
Nate ,
Sorry, sorry!! Yes, seeing Gilbert was the highlight of my run
Julie ,
Fennel tastes like liquorice – very mild liquorice.
melissa ,
I COULD taste the cheese this time!
Thanks for all the coffee advice!! Guess we’ll break out the French press 🙂
kath
Joanne says
You’ll probably get the most beautiful pink fingers when you cook the beets yourself, but it’ll be worth it. Those should be interesting pictures! Definately check out the Keurig coffee makers! We have one at home and work and I would never switch back. In fact, we bought 2 more as gifts because a couple of family members fell in love with ours. You can buy the tea K-cups (green, black,chai, flavored) as well as coffee.
Bev says
Your new camera takes great pictures !!! That salad just says fabulous.
Sidi says
Beets – always loved it. Never made it from scratch. I’m in love with it lately, I had tones today.
Coffee maker – never broke a carafe, but just did an investment on a stainless steel carafe coffee maker from Cuisinart and other than making great coffee it’s also very stylish…
Bryan says
You should try to do a London/Paris trip. We lived in England for 4 years and got to see London on day trips and took weekend trips to Paris. London was good, but Paris was great! You can fly on EasyJet or RyanAir for about $75 roundtrip.
Megpie says
I am obsessed with beets. I could eat them everyday. Fresh, canned, pickled, jarred. Yum
Jess. says
I once broke 4 coffee carafes in 3 months- it sucked!