Afternoon: Bike, Mike, mic. Our podcast should be up tomorrow!
After we recorded, I biked back home – easier said than done! I’d say I got a fair bike workout today!
When I returned home, I started on dinner. We had houseguests to entertain!
Good ole Faith and Tate, who we owed dinner after they hosted us last week!
Did you know I have never cooked BEETS!?!
I just learned to like them from restaurant menus in the past year or two, so I haven’t really needed to make them. One time I bought some from a jar, and they were just OK. I wanted a new vegetable to make for our dinner tonight and picked these out for a beet salad. I chose golden because I am afraid of pink hands!
They were SUPER easy to cook! I consulted my CLEAN FOOD cookbook for the how-to.
Cut off greens (but saved them to sautee into the salad!)
“Loosely wrapped in foil”
And baked for 45 minutes at 425*. Just as expected, the skin just peeled right off with my fingers!
I chopped them up and they were DELICIOUS!!!!!! Like a sweet potato. They were much milder than their red sisters – I think I prefer golden beets in general
At the same time, I roasted up a sweet potato
And cooked some wheatberries on the stovetop. They all took about 45 minutes – good timing!
"Know Your Roots" Salad
Ingredients
- 3 golden beets + stems
- 1 large sweet potato
- 1 cup dry wheatberries
- 2 tbsp sunflower seeds
- 1 tbsp olive oil plus 1 tsp
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic or Garlic Gold crunchies, which I used
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 2 grinds black pepper
Instructions
- Cut greens off beets. Loosely wrap beets in foil and bake at 425* for 45 minutes. Allow to cool and peel the skin off. Chop.
- Chop sweet potato and rub with oil, cinnamon and cayenne pepper. Bake with beets for 45 minutes.
- Combine 1 cup dry wheatberries with 2 cups water. Bring to boil and simmer for 45 minutes, until tender to the taste.
- Sautee beet greens in 1 tsp olive oil and some garlic.
- Combine beets, sweet potato, wheatberries, greens and sunflower seeds in a bowl.
- Combine syrup, vinegar, mustard, garlic, salt and pepper in a jar. Shake to combine.
- Pour over salad.
I thought it was fabulous! All because roots are so delicious.
To start our evening, we opened a luscious red:
Splish, splash. I had one nice glass throughout the evening
In addition to the beet salad, we had Emily’s vegan bean burgers! These are great because they have a hint of cinnamon and the perfect spice blend! They are baked and easy to make. Love them! We used half black beans and half black-eyed peas. Ours were really doughy and good! We also used twice the olive oil – Matt’s call to help them come together in the mixing bowl.
On top of the burgers I made a yogurt sauce (Faith-style!) which was plain yogurt, 1 tsp curry powder and 1/2 tsp coriander. The coriander made it!
There was also roasted broccoli involved –
Dessert, typical, was fruit + dark chocolate. Can’t go wrong! I threw in a few shortbread cookies by Cookies & Corks that were actually pretty good!
Today has been quite insane. We had hiccups with our GH website, and multiple meetings and lots of emails fell into my lap (on top of my usual 100+ blog comment emails everyday 🙂 ) I didn’t have time to go to the bathroom at moments! Hopefully tomorrow is calmer. We’ve got a cold rainy front coming through, but the weather forecast looks promising for the days after.
Nite!
Amelia (Eating Made Easy) says
Little plates of fruit with dark chocolate are my favorite dessert to serve guests. If you get creative with the types of chocolate and offer fresh & dried fruits it can be pretty fancy, too! Here’s may favorite way to do it http://eating-made-easy.com/2011/01/31/no-prep-superbowl-snacks/ — but yours looks so delish with the biscuits!
Kate says
I usually shred beets on my microplane for salads because I don’t particularly like them :)…next time I’ll roast them! It looks good.
Those shortbreads looks awesome and they are the perfect size too.
Chelsea says
Those golden beets look so good! So does dessert.
Heather says
I love beets – and like Kate, I usually shred them and put them in a salad.
Red beets are fantastic juiced!
I cannot wait to get beets in my farm share this summer.
Holly @ The Runny Egg says
I love roasted beets — I don’t think I’ve ever tried the golden variety. They sure are pretty!
Wine Girl @ Kitchen Doesn't Travel says
I was just looking at the Clean Food Cookbook in Barnes & Noble today. It looks good. Do you use it alot?
KathEats says
I don’t use it a lot, but I am not really a cookbook type. But I do love that cookbook!
Jenny @ Fitness Health and Food says
goodness, golden beets, vegan burgers, red wine, broccoli, chocolate..
Can I come to dinner?? 🙂
Best wishes with all of your GH prep! 🙂
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
I LOVE beets! Any variety is good to me. Their actually very easy to make, I think a lot of people are discouraged to make them themselves.
Angel7 says
I like beets! They are extremely good for you!
Love the idea for yogurt sauce for on top of the burgers! Wrote the recipe down–will definitely have to try that!
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Stacy @ Every Little Thing says
I still have a hard time with beets but maybe I just need to experiment with them. They’re OK cooked, can’t do them alone on top of salads and stuff. Yours look great though!
Faith @ lovelyascharged says
I’ve never cooked beets myself either! I adore the pickled ones that go on salads, but I’ve never consumed them in any other form, now that I think about it!
McKayla (green groats) says
Mmmmm. I love colorful meals like that! Sure does look delicious. I have not cooked with wheatberries before, and I’ve been meaning to give that a shot. Great recipe!
Molly says
I had roasted broccoli tonight too! yum!
MonsteRawr says
I was totally into your meal until I saw the picture of your dessert. As soon as I saw it, all I could think of was Chocolate Oranges. Now I want to Chocolate Orange. And do you know how hard it is to find one at this time of night!
Thanks a lot.
Baking Books says
Red beets are sweet. Tart but good. The golden look like butternut squash! Similar taste?
Cookies! Chocolate! yes of course ;)…oh, and fruit I guess…
Christine @ Merf In Progress says
I really need to get up the courage to try beets. I absolutely love to eat them in restaurants. Why not at home???
Donna says
I made Emily’s Vegan Bean Burgers tonight, too! So good.
Laughter-Loving Stacy says
I <3 chocolate. And I'll be trying that salad soon 🙂
staceyhealthylife says
Orange slices and dark chocolate what a perfect combo. I love the fruit and chocolate dessert combo. Perfect for summertime also.
Liv @ The Salty n' Sweet says
I’ve always been a little scared of red beets, probably from the color and texture, but golden beets don’t look so bad! I’m going to have to give those a try.
I hope everything at the bakery works out!
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
Your hair is so pretty! That length really suits you 🙂
I hate beets, but I’ve never tried golden beets. You sold me when you said they were like sweet potatoes. Now I want to try them!
KathEats says
Thanks 🙂
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) says
I adore beets and get so many unique varities here in San Diego where they grow so easily. Love golden ones!
My tips…
Wear rubber gloves and then peel them in the sink
Dice into cubes or wedges
Drizzle with EVOO, ginger, S & P, and place on a foil lined pan
Bake at 425f flipping every 20 mins or so til done. Will be super carmelized, and just perfect. Takes about an hour-1 hr 15min to get them really perfect, IMO.
Not that you need any help.. Your food looks awesome!!!
lynn @ the actor's diet says
i’ve only made beets once – the greens were tasty but so sandy!!!
lynn @ the actor's diet says
er, i mean, dirty. they don’t grow in sand. duh.
Carrie @ Nutrition By Carrie says
I love beets (red and golden), and always roast them first so they are easy to peel. The red beet juice does get all over your hands (and cutting board), but if you wash up right after it comes off easily. That said, I am always VERY careful to not wear light-colored clothing when I’m handling them (or I make sure to wear an apron). If you ever roast red and golden beets together in a pan (not wrapped individually) be warned…your golden beets will be dyed like Easter eggs. Sort of pretty, but not always what you want.
Valerie @ City|Life|Eats says
Dinner looks awesome. I need to try Emily’s burgers!
Khushboo says
Iv been making a dessert plate of Lindt 70%/ sea salt with an orange so often lately. Love that combo!
Julie @ Lettuce Choose Healthy says
golden beets are the best! .. Plus not as messy!
Cait @ Beyond Bananas says
I have never cooked beets either. Thanks for sharing this seemingly easy method!
val says
I’ve had beets a lot in restaurants this winter, but no one has made them taste good yet. THIS recipe looks good, I might have to give it a shot!!
Kaitlyn @ 7 Plates says
I have never made beets either… But when I hear that name I think of the Beets from Doug Funny.. 😛
Dalai Lina says
Forget the beets, I’ll have that glass of wine, please…
Allison @ Happy Tales says
I’ve never actually cooked beats, either!!! I don’t particularly like them… but maybe I can learn to try. I am kind of wanting to reintroduce them to myself now. baby steps!
Hannah says
I looooove cooking fresh beet(root)s, and wish I could find golden ones! I atea bunch myself in two days a little while ago, and peed pink for a week (no joke)…
KathEats says
Ahhhh!
Emily @ Savory and Savage says
I have ruined so many white t-shirts juicing red beets:-) But it is worth it because I love them!
That dessert looked stunning.
Alaina says
I love beets! I cooked with them once in a cooking class in Atlantic City and I definitely agree that the red hands were not fun.
What a delicious looking meal! I’ll have to try that salad sometime. 🙂
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife says
I love beets! My hubby does not, though–sad 🙁
Lou says
You sure have an itchy trigger finger when it comes to adjusting the contrast of your photo’s huh? You might want to ease up on that, sometimes it gives the food you photograph an unnaturally deep hue.
KathEats says
Which photo looks unnatural to you? They all look great on my computer screen..
JenATX says
i think they look vibrant & beautiful, but I’m not a photog so maybe idk what is “natural” or not?
Char says
This salad looks SO good, especially since I’m loving sweet potatoes right now and haven’t had beets in forever!! I’ve never tried wheatberries before, but definitely want to look for it today!!! Awesome post on how to prepare them, too. That always is useful!!
Lauren says
That salad looks amazing. I’ve never tried golden beets but I did just make roasted beets the other night. Even though its more work, they are just so much better than canned.
Kristy says
Waiting for my beets to germinate now actually (and here in Australia we call them beetroots!!) Last season we grew red, red cylindrical, golden and white. And of them all, the white was by far the best. So deliciously sweet!! Of course, 2 dozen seeds turned out 2 beets 🙁
I boil mine for 20-ish minutes (until tender), then I peel them using gloves, dice them, and toss them in salt, pepper, olive oil and red wine vinegar. Then I roast them. Absolutely lovely 🙂
I must use the greens more often though!!
Kristy
Jonna says
Hi Kath,
Dinner looks delicious! That is also one of our favorite Red Blends,
Menage a Trois, they also make a delicious white blend and a rose blend.
Very affordable and delicious!
Jonna
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
That dinner looks so good! I have only cooked with purple beets before.
Molly says
Did you have beets in honor of The Office and Michael Scott’s second to last episode? Hope you bought the beets from Mose.
KathEats says
Haha – I haven’t watched the episode yet. SO SAD! They were indeed from Mose’s farm
caitlin says
I’ve never tried beets. Not sure if I would like them. I always read your blog because your photography skills always amaze me, I can never get my pictures to turn out like this!
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
I’ve never cooked beets! I love them, though. I prefer them chilled drssed in EVOO + red wine vinegar. So delish.
I had the exact same wine the other night! It’s very good and I don’t really drink wine. When my cousin was buying it at the liquor store, she asked for help selecting a red wine. So the guy was like, “Do you know what Menage a Trois is?” and she’s like, “umm, *nervous laugh* yeah.” And then he’s like, “Have you ever had it?” And she’s like, “WHAT?!” He got all flustered and was like, “OH NO! Not that, the wine!” and he shows her the bottle. Hahahaha. Awkward! 😯
KathEats says
Haha!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
That salad looks fantastic! I’m definitely bookmarking this. I love beets, but I hate how the pink ones stain my hands and cutting board! Unfortunately my grocery store doesn’t usually carry the yellow ones…. yet another reason why I’m excited for our farmer’s market to open again!
Miranda @ Working Mom Works Out says
Honestly, I’ve never had beets and enjoyed them. They kinda taste like dirt. Or what dirt would taste like if I had ever ate dirt…. Okay, I ate dirt as a kid. Whatever. 🙂
But I haven’t tried the gold ones. Maybe… One day.
And I hope your Friday is a little slower pace.
Happy Earth Day!
Kayleen says
I’ve only ever boiled beets, but roasting them looks so much easier and more tasty! I will definitely be trying that next time.
The salad looks delicious!
Heather says
Good Morning~ Your breakfast always look amazing and so well balanced! Do you go for a certain calorie range when you build them or do you go by a certain servings or grain, healthy fat, fruit and protein. I was wondering how you go about building it.
Thank you!Heather
KathEats says
Hey Heather,
I shoot for a combo of protein, carbs and fat in every breakfast. Most of my breakfasts are right at 500 calories, which I know from making so many bowls of oatmeal, overnight oats and smoothies in my life! I know what 500 feels like. Sometimes they’re over and sometimes under, but that’s a good average.
I know with oats, for example, that my typical whipped banana base is about 225 calories – and then I usually mix in something (cottage cheese, wheatberries, bread) for another 75 or so (sometimes I don’t add anything else). And then I add 100 in toppings ( like granola, coconut) and 100 in nut butter.
It’s like building blocks.
I don’t track calories anymore, but when I did, it was easy to estimate with the pieces.
Hope says
I’ve never had beets before. I’m nervous to try them. That wheatberry salad looks great! 🙂
kate@ahealthypassion says
what a fun night that root salad looks delightful!
Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me says
Yay fun times with friends. You guys are very sociable! I feel like I need to get out there way more. lol 😉
Laura @Foodsnobstl says
I’ve avoided beets my whole life but you’ve inspired me to give them a try!
Sahira says
I just cooked beets for the first time a few weeks ago too.. it was so exciting! The golden beet’s sisters. My hands actually washed clean no pink fingers.. thank goodness. 🙂 I was inspired by Rachel Ray on the Food Network and I thought.. “Is that all it takes to cook beets”? So simple and delicious.
a farmer in the dell says
First of all, Menage a trios is our house wine. We love it! second of all, I have the best recipe for beets. We make a pizza sauce out of them. I use the purple beets because it makes a lovely picture. I boil them, then puree them in a a food processor with goat cheese and a little olive oil. Use that as a pizza sauce. Top the rest of your pizza with whatever you would like. It’s delicious!
Heidi - apples under my bed says
I have never seen golden beets!! I adore beetroot in salad. How beautiful are these babies 🙂
Heidi xo
Katy says
I was just told the other day that if you could only eat 1 vegetable, the best vegetable you can eat is….a BEET!! Do you know the truth to this..I guess with all the vitamins/antioxidants?!
I’ve never really had them..maybe a bite of one or a pickled one (eck!). Perhaps I’ll give ’em another try
Luv What You Do says
I love the Menage wine!
Which book Clean Start or Clean Food do you like??? Your dish looks amazing and I don’t even eat beets (not yet anyways). I am big fan of the Tosca clean eatting cookbooks, but have never seen Terry Walters books.
Happy Weekend!
KathEats says
I haven’t read Clean Start so I can’t say
Luv What You Do says
I’ll have to head to the book store to check them out (or just order both on Amazon). I love Free Shipping! Thanks!
Kim says
I LOVE beets. Try golden beets mixed with sauteed spinach and garlic, on top of some mashed beans (cannellini beans heated with a little water, sea salt, pepper and bay leaf- semi-liquified to the consistency of mashed potatoes) with a piece of grilled fish. SO yummy.
janet @ the taste space says
Wow – that sounds like a great dish!
Andrea [bella eats] says
LOVE golden beets. My favorite! Have you guys eaten at Bizou downtown yet? Their Golden Beet Salad is so delicious.
Glad we ran into you this morning! 🙂
KathEats says
I think I have had that salad!
Enjoy the spring!
Brittany @ Pretty Fit, Pretty Healthy, Pretty Happy says
I’ve always been a little nervous about trying beets, so I’m glad that the golden variety are so tasty. 🙂
The “Know Your Roots” salad looks so good! I think I want to try it with Mama Pea’s Mmm Sauce.
Michelle Tibbs says
This salad SINGS. I followed pretty close, added a big bag of kale, and pomegranate seeds for color. It just screams eat me now! A big ol’ bowl of healthiness waiting to be scarfed down. Thank you…going back to Pinterest to make sure your blog gets proper credit for this pin.
janet @ the taste space says
Thanks for sharing. I made your salad and posted it here: http://tastespace.wordpress.com/2013/02/12/cinnamon-spiced-beet-and-sweet-potato-spelt-berry-salad/
Annie says
Love love love your blog. The recipes are healthy, yet hearty. This post inspired me to create my own version of the salad: sweet potato, beets, kale, quinoa, and sunflower seeds!
http://sctosf.com/sweet-potato-and-beet-salad/