Check out my progress on The Truth about Beets
Growing up, I always assumed that beets were some alien food that was to be avoided at all costs. To me, they were just those strikingly vivid slices lurking at the salad bar…that no one seems to eat. My unfavorable perception of beets was only reinforced by my beet-phobic mother who never served them and practically gagged at their mention in conversation.
Bearing the above history in mind, it should come as no surprise that I did not discover the joys of beets until well into my teenage years. Ironically enough, I first tasted beets at one of the aforementioned salad bars (Ruby Tuesday, to be precise)…and I soon became quite enamored of this spring-time gem.
Nutritionally speaking, beets provide a variety of vitamins and minerals in modest amounts:
In addition, beets may aid in reducing inflammation, protect against heart disease, and prevent birth defects.
However, I must admit, as the true food blogger that I am, one of the chief reasons I have grown to love beets is their rich color. They add such eye-catching elegance to any meal. After a quick search through my blog archives, it appears that I enjoy them most in fresh salads:
Although beets also make for a pretty kickin’ hummus ingredient too:
So are there any fellow beet fans out there? What are you favorite ways to enjoy them? I’m always in search of inspiration!
Filed under: Feature Post
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
I’m a beet fan as well. I like them on salads, but I also like to eat them roasted. I’ve even put roasted beets on pizza before and it turned out amazing.
It’s also fun to see the color of your pee change to purple. haha
Hey Caroline!
)
I just recently discovered the wonder of beets! I mean I had them before out of a can and whatnot, but recently we got some nice fresh ones from our local farmers market. We just quartered them and roasted them up (left the skin on) in the oven with some other veggies. So tasty!! And not to mention their beautiful color! (They are also very “cleansing” if you know what I mean, and lend their magenta hue to what comes out the other end too- not to be gross or anything.
P.S.: I’m committing to DUKE!!!! (But I’m still waiting to hear back from Harvard and Swarthmore, where I’m wait-listed. And if they did offer me a spot, I’m not sure at this point if I’d take it over Duke or not…. but I’ll wait to make that decision if and when it comes up!)
I love The Beets from “Doug,” if that counts
Hey! I was just like you- I used to be scared of beets. It wasn’t until the past 2 years I’ve discovered how amazing they taste! They add so much to a salad!
Mm I enjoy beets.
I’ve been slicing them into medallions and roasting them with olive oil+dried thyme. I need to get some more and dice ‘em raw!
Thanks for your suggestion about coconut milk in chili!
Gorgeous beet hummus!
I prefer them roasted to raw… but admittedly don’t eat them very often. I should start adding them to salads!
I. Love. Pickled. Beetroot. More. Than. Life. Itself.
I mean I literally love the pickled variety so much, I have often had an entire bowl of it, sliced, for my dinner. It’s messy, it stains your clothes, you feel like a kid as the juice runs down your face, you know it’s not good for you, the sodium is probably destroying your insides but try as I might, I can never deny that it is one of my favourite things on earth. I’ve never tried beets in anything except a salad but I have heard about people using them as a cake ingredient! Give it a google and see what you come up with but I think baking them into savory scones sounds like a winner! Oh you should try them in savory oats some time! Or a purple monster smoothie! I’d love to know how that comes out!
beet hummus!!! that’s GENIUS! i think beets would have a great time meeting my spiralizer haha
i just feel like they’re such a process to make hmph. how do you cook yours?
I like beets, and my favorite way of eating them is by far roasted! Although I like it raw and grated in salad form (like carrots!).
But roasting brings out so much flavor in beets. I simply wash and dry them, cut in half if too big, and put the beets in a big piece of aluminum foil, make a “pouch”, place on top of a baking sheet and into a 400 degree oven for about 45 minutes to 1 hours, depending on the size of the beets. They come out a-m-a-z-i-n-g-l-y delicious, believe me!
You can peel them before roasting, but it is not necessary if you don’t want to, after being roasted the peel comes right out of the beets, you can use a paper towel to help you slip the peels right off the beets – this way you won’t get your hands too pinkish
Sprinkle a little kosher salt on them if you want and have fun, they are so good!
You have to try roasted beets Caroline, they are infinitely better than the canned beets of salad bars, different veggie all together!
And grated raw in salads, awesome crunch, sweetness and as you said, pretty color too!
Ana
This post inspired to eat beets! I must say that I have never purchased or cooked a beet. I have had them at restaurants though. Time to expand my horizons!
I tried beets last year. I didn’t not like them, but I don’t know if I liked them enough to prepare them all the time. They can be so messy with all that color!
I eat beets like nobody’s business. I’ll eat the canned ones even; not picky. Fresh, roasted, and mixed with steamed kale and apple/pumpkin butter…yum. (http://makingfoodandotherstuff.wordpress.com/2009/12/06/christmas-kale/)
or in salad. or plain. or with cinnamon. or in oats with spinach and maple syrup. or….
I love beets! I love them raw in salads, I roast them in the oven with balsamic vinegar and honey, I’ve made beet hummus. I have sliced raw beets like chips and spread them with almond butter, and I’ve also made beet oatmeal with almond butter. It was such a beautiful color! I should post a pic of that one. Also, check out my blog post on my entry into PB Boys peanut butter exhibition for a really crazy recipe!
I’m on a major beet kick lately, consuming at least 5 large beets per week..just can’t get enough of them. I chop them, steam them gently and puree them with tomato juice or paste and 1/4 avocado. Just amazing. Random note: the water used for steaming becomes deep red from the beet juices and I use it the next morning for my oatmeal..can’t taste the beets, but the color is just beautiful! Highly recommended
haha i was the same as you about beets when i was a kid. they always came on this salad i would always get and i NEVER tried it. i was like “ewwww”! now i love them!
Roasted! Roasted beets are THE BEST. Just chop ‘em, preheat the oven to 400/425, toss with a little oil, salt and pepper and roast for…oh…35-40 minutes? So good.
To be quite honest, I still haven’t come around to liking beets. I try them every once in awhile, but they don’t do it for me. Everyone says they are sweet, but I don’t find them to be. Odd, no?