november rain



it was a mixed weekend of rain and sunshine.
more sunshine than rain but lets face it, this is as close to fall as we've gotten so far this year.
anyway, it was a good excuse to pull out my j. crew trench coat.
i love this thing.
you can read my review about it here if you would like.







it was fun while it lasted.





because i was feeling fall-ish, i decided to try and make mac and cheese with daiya cheddar cheese.  i'm sorry to report that it really did not come out that well.
i made my usual white sauce and stirred in the daiya with a little nutmeg, salt and pepper.
covered it with bread crumbs and earth balance and popped it into the oven.
it looked and smelled really good but the taste was rather bland.
i definitely think the recipe can be fixed and when i do i will post it.







it wasn't great but obviously it wasn't that bad either.

xo
janet

23 comments

  1. I saw lost of pics of Angelenos and had to laugh at the wellies and what nots, I checked the temp and that would still qualify as summer here!
    Macaroni and cheese is the greatest comfort food of all time.

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    1. haha, i know. rain in november is really quite a treat for us. everyone i saw while running errands was in boots. can you blame us? haha

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  2. Try adding a touch of truffle oil to the Mac and Cheese? I get so excited when there's some rain here, I get all decked out in my gear, and an hour later the sun's out, and I'm boiling hot.

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    1. i think the problem is that the cheese just does not pack enough of a wallop flavor-wise. truffle oil is a good idea and also some nutritional yeast. i'll keep trying b/c obv it was not that bad.:)

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    2. Yes on the nutritional yeast...use that to flavor the white sauce and use the Daiya to top the mac and cheese. I've done it this way and it was very good. Needs lots of black pepper too, but maybe that's just me ~smile~ Have a great day...Lina

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    3. that was my exact thought, so i'll def give it a try.

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    4. I rarely leave comments, but mac'n'cheese is an important subject. My secret for great flavor, real or substitute cheese alike, is butternut squash soup. I use that add the base, warming it and mixing in the cheese like some would with milk. Black pepper and a bit of chili heat helps bring out those flavors, as do carmelized red onion. Good luck!

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    5. I rarely leave comments, but mac'n'cheese is an important subject. My secret for great flavor, real or substitute cheese alike, is butternut squash soup. I use that add the base, warming it and mixing in the cheese like some would with milk. Black pepper and a bit of chili heat helps bring out those flavors, as do carmelized red onion. Good luck!

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  3. That's funny that you call rain "a treat", it's a daily battle here! You look gorgeous in that trench coat and your macaroni cheese looks lovely even if it didn't live up to expectations! x

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  4. I don't know how I dressed myself before I found my khaki trench, I wear it so often.
    Too bad about the mac and cheese. Maybe a little garlic and/or lemon might add some flavor to it?
    Looking chic as ever, J!
    xo, A

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  5. I tried a new vegan mac and cheese last week that we found somewhere on the internet and it was absolutely amazing! The sauce was made with a cooked potato, carrot, 1/2 onion, a little water, 1/2 cup tofu, 1/2 cup nutritional yeast, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 TBS lemon juice. Once the vegetables are chunked and cooked on the stove top in the water, you throw them with their water in the blender with the rest of the ingredients and blend until smooth. Mix with your favorite cooked pasta (we used quinoa spirals) and then bake in a casserole dish in the oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. So healthy and, seriously, it was amazing! (I am doing this from memory, but would guess about 1/2 cup on the water - enough to cover and cook the chopped vegetables.)

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  6. I think sauteed onions and some freshly ground black pepper would add a punch of flavour.
    Even using regular cheddar cheese I add these as I love spice. Mr. HB pours hot sauce on his!

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  7. My mac and cheese secrets are:butternut squash, nooch (nutritional yeast), dijon mustard on quinoa pasta. Num!

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  8. Hi Janet, I love the rain in the winter season. It is so lovely falling down while the world rests.
    I wish I could find a trench coat like you did, you lucky duck! I am backing pumpkins today to freeze for pies and pasta dishes!!!
    I have only had daiya cheese once, and I do not remember it well. I cannot remember the last time I had any type "real cheese type" cheese.... I did have some delicious garli,c white sauce radiatori my daughter maed the other day (licks lips) it was tasty!

    I love your bakewear! Where did you get it and is it made in China?
    xo
    V~

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  9. Here in the Northeast, rain has not visited us but snow has :) Well it is the mountains after all. I wanted to share Janet, that I have been quite encouraged by your food photo journal. As a new Vegan, I find myself a bit overwhelmed by the making of meals different from the rest of my family's.

    It takes baby steps I am sure :) The trench is classic and quite chic. m.

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  10. The mac looks great on you Janet. I could use one in Holland too! Your oven dish looks very tasty.

    Have a lovely day!

    Madelief x

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  11. Janet,

    I thought we were going to get some rain this weekend, but I guess it didn't make it that far south.

    I scored a great sale price on a Banana Republic trench (same color as yours) this summer and combined with my Discover Rewards I got it for $36.00. (orig. $198.00) I only have had the occasion to wear it once so far but I love it!

    Linda
    xo

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  12. Looks like a perfect trench coat.....a very elusive thing! I'm jumping over to read your review right now.

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  13. I like the proportions of that outfit.

    Vegan mac and cheese might just be one of those feel good foods that just doesn't translate to vegan. Did you add salt?

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  14. Janet,
    I am not a fan of daiya cheese at all! And guess what, it is not low fat either!
    I have searched high and low for a good vegan mac and cheese recipe and I found it over at "Oh She Glows" blog.
    It has the butternut squash as someone else mentioned above, and a cashew cream sauce so you get lots of protein too!
    Angela knows her stuff and has great recipes!
    Search for 'butternut squash mac and cheeze" on her blog.
    I leave out the greens, cause I like it to be good ole plain mac in cheese like!

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  15. Come up North for a visit and you can wear your most excellent JCrew trench everyday! Looks good on you.

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