———–
———–
Red, orange, yellow. Raw, roasted, boiled, pickled. However you like them, it’s clear that beets have come into their own. I can think of few soups more satisfying on a chilly day than a hearty borscht, nor more elegant in steamy summer than a cold soup of puréed beets (my recipes are after the jump). Roasted, they’re a star in high end restaurants, often paired with arugula and goat cheese. Pickled, they are a staple on Southern tables, and (I’ve heard) often served on hamburgers in Australia (those Aussies!). When I cooked in a French restaurant, we used to grate peeled raw beets, then dress them with a lively mustard vinaigrette, as one part of a composed salad. In the photo above, we prepared beets (along with sliced red onions) for roasting by peeling and cutting them into one-inch pieces. We tossed them with olive oil, mirin, blood orange balsamic vinegar, and a little salt and pepper, then covered and roasted them in a 425º F oven for about an hour. Then we uncovered them, stirred, and roasted them for 20-30 minutes more. Another method is to wrap whole beets individually in foil and roast in a hot oven until a knife inserted slips easily through. This could take 50 minutes, or it could take 90 minutes or more depending on the size of the beets and the efficiency of your oven. Unwrap the beets and, with luck, the peels should slip off pretty easily. When buying beets, try to find those with fresh-looking leaves and stems. When boiled, steamed or stir fried, beet greens make an earthy and humble dish all on their own.
