Cinnamon Beets and Carrots

Last night we did a bit of cooking. We started using a new cookbook that we’ll review sometime soon, the King Arthur Flour Company Cookie Companion, which produced some absolutely stupendous cheesecake bars. I’d been looking for a good way to make cheesecake such that we could freeze and subsequently thaw small amounts of it, so we could enjoy it even while trying to eat reasonably well, and bar “cookies” seem like they’ll work well.

We had some beets and carrots in the house, so we also improvised a cinnamon beets and carrots dish. Here’s a rough recipe for you:

Ingredients

• Two large beets (or several smaller)
• A bunch of carrots
• 1 tablespon butter
• 1/4 cup all-fruit apricot jam (or other mild flavor of your choice)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon white pepper (optional)

Cook the beets until they’re just on the firm side of tender, peel, and slice into bite-sized pieces. Peel the carrots, chop into bite-sized pieces, and cook just until they’re on the firm side of tender. Use whatever cooking method you like best–microwave, steaming, etc.

Melt the butter over medium heat in a large saucepan capable of holding all of the ingredients. Add the jam and stir until it melts. Add the cinnamon, salt, and white pepper and stir until the mixture bubbles up. Add beets and carrots and gently fold and stir until all vegetables are coated and glazed; serve.

For another wonderful-looking beet recipe, check out Salmon with Beets and Lentils. I haven’t tried it, but I think I’ll have to!

I happened to go to the doctor’s this weekend, and one of the things we talked about was weight; like most people I’d prefer to lose a few pounds. I mentioned that we were finally getting back to the gym, and here’s how the rest of that conversation went (wording approximated):

Doctor: You can do all the exercising you want, but ultimately I think the only thing that really works for losing weight is horrible, horrible self-deprivation.

Me, thought: Good lord, I need a new doctor.

Me, said: Gee, you’re so motivating.

Doctor: (Obliviously continues ranting about the wonders of self-deprivation)