Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Roasted and Marinated Beets

The other day I saw some fresh beets at the produce market so I decided to get some. Mind you my childhood experience with beets was only canned beets which are quite bland but still I've always liked them. Gary on the other hand says he doesn't like beets. I once grew beets in my Springville Gardens; he ate them at the holidays and even had a second helping but to this day he denies that.

Anyway these roasted and marinated beets are quite tasty and besides that I've learned beets are quite good for you too. When I know they are good for me that makes the beets taste so much better somehow. Click on the link to read how good beets are for you, afterwards I am sure you'll agree they taste so good. I got a bunch of small fresh beets and washed them off and cut the ends off of them slightly. I placed them in a glass covered baking dish filled with one inch of water and roasted them in a 400 F oven for about an hour or until a sharp knife inserts into them easily. I removed them from the oven and let them cool. When the beets were cool I peeled them and cut them in cubes and placed them in another glass baking dish. I use glass because beets will stain just about anything. You can even use them as a dye but that's a story for another day. They will also make certain bodily fluids turn red, so later, don't be alarmed it isn't blood, it's beet juice.

After I peeled and cubed the beets I added two tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon of dried crushed tarragon, rosemary, marjoram, dill, and a teaspoon of brown sugar. I stirred this up several times over an hour or so leaving the beets at room temperature. After the beets marinated for an hour or so I added one tablespoon of olive oil and tossed them gently. Don't add the oil till after an hour or so, otherwise the oil will coat the beets and the vinegar and spices won't be able to penetrate and flavor the beets. I served the beets over a mixed green salad with some slivered carrots added for more color. You could also serve them over a bed of baby spinach leaves. Gary ate a few of the beets but still declared he didn't like them. No worry I ate all the leftovers they were that good. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.

10 comments:

  1. Perfect timing. I will be planting beets this year.I have only had the canned ones and liked them but wanted to try fresh. I had no idea how to cook or use them so I will bookmark this for later. Thanks.

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  2. Hi Linda...I LOVE beets. Also fixed some the other day, and keep having leftovers, since I went kind of overboard with getting three big ones. They were just simmered till tender, and that took forever since I didn't peel them first and cut them up. Haven't even tried seasonings, but yours do give me some ideas. I just love 'em hot with butter and salt.

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  3. I love beets and roast mine as well.

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  4. I LOVE beets cooked all ways and grated raw into salads. Jeff likes them but they aren't his favorites but he loves beet greens... so we make a good pair. I will have to try your recipe.

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  5. I've never been fond of beets except for pickled beets. I love pickled beets and have given away jars of homemade beets for Christmas presents many times.

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  6. You're making my mouth water. I have some golden beets and turnips. I will try your recipe. Yum!

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  7. I love pickled beets....

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  8. Your recipe looks really good. Both Hubby and I love beets, so we cook them often. I like to buy fresh ones when they are available, but canned ones are okay too.

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  9. Yummo. I love beets but the skinny one would agree with Gary. All the more for me.

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  10. Hi Patti, thanks, when I was a kid that's all I had too was the canned ones.

    Hi Barbara, thanks, oh I didn't peel and cut them till after I roasted them in the oven otherwise all the red goodness would be lost in the water.

    Hi Meredith, thanks, I can't believe how long it takes to roast them.

    Hi Ms. Sparrow, thanks, oh I bet your pickled beets are wonderful I have never had them homemade before.

    Hi Charlene, thanks, oh I have never had golden beets, must try them if I can find them.

    Hi Dee, thanks, oh now I have to find some pickled beets.

    Hi Barbara, thanks, I too like the canned ones, but fresh is always better.

    Hi Elephant's Child, thanks, all the more for me too. Ha.

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