Help me become a beet lover

[Heather Lalley]

So, I've tried beets in nearly every incarnation I can dream of. Roasted and paired with goat cheese, I can tolerate them. Otherwise, I'm just not a fan. I even made a chocolate beet cake the other day:

http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/flour-girl/2010/07/cooking-away-my-csa-chocolate-beet-cake.html

So, who's got a beet recipe that's going to knock my socks off?

It's been a little quiet around here. I hope everyone is enjoying their CSAs. Please share, though, if you've been making some great things. I'd love some more inspiration.

Cheers,

Heather

[Patricia Eddy]

So I'm one of those people who thinks beets taste like dirt. I want to
like them too, but any way I prepare them, they still taste like dirt.
Except for this. http://www.cooklocal.com/?p=2756 This is a roasted
beet salad with horseradish creme fraiche. It's served cold so it's
perfect for hot days (you can make it ahead of time and keep it in the
fridge for three or four days).

I find that the horseradish and the vinegar cancel out the dirt taste
for me. I've even served this to a couple of friends who think beets
taste like dirt and they agree that this way cancels out all dirt
flavor.

The other recipe I really like is to just shave the beets thinly (raw)
and toss with a vinegar and oil mix and top with some goat cheese and
mint. The vinegar is the key for me I think.

Also, this isn't exactly CSA related, but one of the vendors at my
local farmers market is selling white beets. If you have any access to
those, GET THEM! They are super sweet and not at all dirt flavored. I
can eat those just roasted with some olive oil and salt. So delicious!
I'm going to try to track down some white beets to plant in my garden
next year.

-Patricia

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[Heather Lalley]

Cool! Thank you, Patricia. I'll definitely give those a try the next time we get beets. Thank you. (And, for what it's worth, I can't roll my Rs and I hate, hate, hate cilantro ...)

Cheers,

Heather

[Amy Martell]

I wonder if the cilantro enzyme thing is related to liking/not liking beets, too?  hmm ... may have to do an inquiry on this.

 

Did you ever try the beet dip I posted last year, Heather?  I'm shocked that even that couldn't get you excited!  I'll repost for those who weren't on the board last year:

 

2-3 fist size beets (boiled or roasted or raw - depending on taste - i prefer roasted with the skin on, then peeled).
4 Tbsp walnuts
4-5 Tbsp olive or grapeseed oil
2 Tbsp balsalmic vinegar
1/2 clove garlic
slice of stale bread
pinch of salt.
 
Put everything in the food processor and blend until smooth.  Play with the recipe to adjust to your taste - for instance I've made it w/o garlic for my daughter, who (much to my chagrin) does not like garlic, and added lemon instead. I've added other seasonings, too, depending on mood, or have added a dairy like greek yogurt or mild goat cheese.

 

I'll second the endorsement of white (and other color) beets as great alternatives.

[Heather Lalley]

That beet dip does sound good, Amy. I'll have to try that, too ... I might add some goat cheese.

Thanks!

Heather