Culinary Ideas Using Beets

.I have to admit, I've had a love/hate relationship with this nutrient dense superfood.

However, just like a child, I  had to make numerous attempts on how I could make myself somewhat enjoy eating this nutritious vegetable and I'm certainly glad I did!

Now if you've had them before and you have a bad memory, like myself and couldn't get over the taste of dirt in your mouth. (At least that's how I remembered my first attempt) It may scare you enough to leave them alone.

But, don't let this bad memory stop you from trying them again, especially if you want to reap the benefits of all they have to offer nutrition wise.

There are numerous benefits to beets, but some of the common benefits is these beauties are loaded with fiber, can help with inflammation. They also can boost your immunity for the upcoming  winter months because they are loaded with vitamin A & C. 

So, what ways can we enjoy beets culinary wise? Believe it or not, they are very versatile and can be cooked in a variety of ways which does alter the taste where you won't notice the earthiness as much. 

Beets can be roasted, steamed, boiled or pickled.  Each cooking technique  will give you a different taste depending on the recipe.

One simple way I like to eat beets, is to just slice thinly making beet chips, tossed in extra virgin olive oil with a little sea salt that I throw in my air fryer. They are really delicious and are a great replacement for a crunchy snack.

Beets are also really good in dips including bean dips (such as hummus)  Not only is it a fun twist, but also lends great color and taste!. Think of all the good nutrition going into your body with simply adding to dishes you may already eat.

Beets can be enjoyed raw in salads and cooked into making a lovely beet soup. I find that beets have to be paired up with other ingredients sometimes to mask the earthy flavor. Ginger works wonders and compliments the sweet taste of beets.

Still not convinced? Well here is another option which you might want to consider. If you want the benefit of beets, but don't want to fuss with heavy preparation, consider using beet powder as a supplement..

Because its a concentrated powder, a little goes a long way. You can drop 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon into a fruit flavored sparkling water with a twist of lime or lemon. This will be easy to do, and you'll reap some healthy benefits.

Another option for using beet powder, you can throw a little into a simmering pan of marinara or spaghetti sauce. No need to add sugar to cut the acidity as the beet powder will be your natural sweetness to your sauce. And, it will look really pretty too!

As you can see, there can be a variety of ways of implementing this amazing root vegetable which can be pleasurable if we explore the different ways of preparing them into recipes. I hope you give some of these a try. 

Eat Good! Look Good! Feel Good!
Chef Vanessa