Monday, August 9, 2010

Just BEET It

I've heard that our taste buds change every seven years. I found a beet receipe that I thought I would try....to see if my taste buds had changed since I was a kid. It was labeled "The Best Beet Recipe". Perfect, right?! I, of course, changed it up a little and posted below is what I came up with. By the way, this is my first time ever to cook beets. It is a pretty easy recipe. 

 ***KK's Pretty Good Beets - If You Like That Kind Of Thing*** 
* 3 beets, boiled in plenty of water for 1 hour with three bay leaves and 1/4 t kosher salt - then peeled (discard the bay leaves and water when the hour is up) 
* one medium yellow onion 
* juice from one orange 
* one minced clove of garlic 
* 1/4 c honey/agave 
* 1/2 T grated fresh ginger 
* 1/4 t fresh thyme 
* 2 T EVOO 
*S & P to taste 

 Heat the EVOO in your pan on med-high heat. Cut each beet in half. Lay the flat side down and slice into half moon discs. Then cut each moon disc in half - length wise. (Kinda like steak fries). Slice your onion in half moon slices also (halved onion rings). Add your onion and garlic to heated oil in pan. Cook for about 4 minutes. Add the beets. Add orange juice, thyme, ginger and honey/agave. Simmer on med to med-low for about 10 minutes. Taste. Add S & P - how much you like. I added just a pinch of kosher salt and a few turns from the pepper mill. 

 My taste buds haven't changed much since I was a kid. I thought this dish was pretty good for a beet recipe. I guess I just don't care for beets. I will eat what I cooked so it doesn't go to waste. Whatever I don't finish will go to the compost though. I know my husband will not eat this - just because it is beets. If you try it let us know! We want to know your thoughts. My husband just walked in my office. "Um, I know I usually taste everything you make. I'm not tasting that." Haha!! We've been together over 15 years. I know him all to well. =)

Garlic Balsamic Salad Dressing

1 clove minced garlic 
1 T Balsamic vinegar 
3 T EVOO 
S & P to taste

Combine all ingredients. It is that easy. I love the 'bite' from garlic, some don't. You can leave out the garlic if you wish. I love this dressing on baby salad greens, 'tender greens' or arugula. This dressing would also be great on cous cous. 

*Garlic is apart of the Allium family which also includes onions and chives. Garlic can help lower blood pressure, prevent blood clotting and can be used as a decongestant. For best results - eat raw. 
*To help get rid of garlic breath chew some fresh parsley.