WHAT'S COOKING IN NOVEMBER

I'm not entirely positive what happened to me in the kitchen the past couple of weeks, but it's gotten to the point where I start to dread going in there. perhaps it's the post-thanksgiving trauma, but after making six helpings (yes, six) of sweet potato casserole, I'm really rather ready for some savory take out. in any event, this is a little bit of what I've been cooking in the month of november. oddly enough, I actually steered more towards my tried and true favorites rather than experimenting with the delicious concoctions picked up on my pinterest journeys, but there are still a few to share.

one ::  mini chicken pot pies by my name is yeh. hands down, this is the best chicken pot pie I have ever tasted. I didn't do mine in miniature as I don't have that sweet little pan she has, but there was enough filling for two regular pie plates, so I froze the second helping and used it last night actually for a quick meal. when you make it yourself, be sure to use this savory pie crust recipe. something about adding pepper in the crust really makes the whole thing go from good to great.

two :: brown butter pumpkin pasta by camille styles. being honest, this recipe wasn't my favorite. however, I still thought to include it because I mentioned it before and mitch really liked it, which is so weird since I'm usually the gourd lover in the house and mitch tends to keep all things orange and squishy at least an arm's length away from him at all times.

three :: chopped apple cake by not without salt. mitch and I made this the morning of thanksgiving and I can't think of a better breakfast item to sit and watch a parade with. the final result was so moist and had such a pleasant, but subtle flavor that I will definitely be making it again in the near future.

four :: dessert apple cider by yours truly. this happy accident has become more and more on-purpose. and I just can't get enough of how heavenly it makes the house smell. even if you don't care for apple cider at all, it make the most lovely holiday potpourri.

and that just about sums it up. hopefully, I will settle the score with my kitchen sometime soon and then maybe I'll feel a little more adventurous (we sort of made up when I gave it a good scrub last night).  today, I'm off for a whole day at the beach. I don't think I've done that since I first got here and we'll see how long I last before my skin turns a bright shade of scarlet. how's that to get you in the christmas spirit? all I'd need is a green sweater and I'd be good to go. hope all of your weeks are turning out all right!

love, arielle

RECIPES MADE IN OCTOBER!

I remember the first cookery book I ever bought. one day in grade 11, I decided I wanted to be a good cook, so I drove down to barnes & noble and bought the art of simple food by alice waters. this was later borrowed by a roommate, never to be seen again ( you know who you are ), but I digress. these days, I wouldn't need to get dressed, utilize a driver's license, or even go to a store because pinterest has a wealth of cooking ideas ( admittedly, some better than others ). but here are a few that I tried during the past month that I feel are worthy of your time. it's no surprise that there seems to be a common theme throughout all of these recipes. they're all new to my kitchen. they're all perfect for fall. and they're all kind of orange. 

a little bit about these creations :: that sweet potato, kale, and black bean quesadilla is a keeper and we're actually having it for dinner, again, tonight. pumpkin soup is a fall staple and this version is fairly inexpensive, makes plenty, and has a little bit of spice to it that makes the flavors more complex. and I don't know about you, but I really appreciate complex flavors. I really got excited about the spicy fish tacos because it felt like they were the perfect compromise between fall and caribbean flavors. and the balance bowl helped me through a bout of remorse after eating too many of those finnish cinnamon buns, which actually have flavoring in the dough as well as rolled between the layers. genius. and that caramel corn was strangely addictive, though mitch and I couldn't eat it fast enough. it made too much and went stale before we were finished. that's the typical complaint about cooking for two, wouldn't you say?

( left to right, top to bottom )

one :: spicy fish tacos with cabbage slaw and lime crema by foodess.

two :: sweet potato, black bean, and kale quesadilla by cookie monster cooking.

three :: the big, vegan bowl by oh she glows.

four :: skinny pumpkin soup by six sisters stuff.

five :: korvapuusti--finnish cinnamon rolls by my blue&white kitchen.

six :: caramel apple popcorn by cookie monster cooking.

and that is a little of what's been cooking in october! I can't believe this splendid month is almost over. have you guys sorted out all of your plans for halloween? I know I haven't, though I'm pretty sure it will consist of some variation of the perfect night in because that's just how mitch and I roll. I hope you guys have a wonderful tuesday and enjoy every last falling leaf of this beautiful, breathtaking month.

love, arielle