topic Re: Beets: I didn't know..... in Recipes

Beets: I didn't know.....

Poodlepet2 — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 15:03:10 GMT

....that you can eat the skin-or the greens!

We bought some gorgeous beets and carrots at the local Farmers Market. I thought I would roast them.

I was going to blanch the beets to remove the skin....if fresh beets weren't so messy, I would prepare them more frequently.

I began to wonder if there is a reason not to: it can be a little tough in "older" beets, but if you can get rid of root hairs, there is no reason not to eat the skin.

The greens are a wonder of nutrition, raw or cooked ( less cooking is better). Sadly, I left my beets on the counter and the toots are fine, but the leaves wilted....

Poodlepet2

Re: Beets: I didn't know.....

proudlyfromNJ — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 15:24:55 GMT

I wrap mine in foil and roast in the oven with the skin. When they are done the skin wipes off easily with a paper towel. I have boiled the greens and eaten.

Re: Beets: I didn't know.....

software — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 15:34:00 GMT

I've had to re-program my brain to use every part of a fruit or vegetable since purchasing my Vitamix. I try to remove larger seeds but always leave the skin.

@Poodlepet2

Re: Beets: I didn't know.....

golding76 — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 15:57:13 GMT

PoodlePet2, beet greens are near the top of my favorite greens. When I was a young girl, I remember my Greek-born maternal grandmother coming down from Pennsylvania to visit us in Maryland, and she would pick the greens from all the dandelions around our house. Not understanding that these greens were a delicacy for her and being a snot-nosed kid, I was mortified.

Now I see that dandelion greens have joined the arugula ranks.

Re: Beets: I didn't know.....

Poodlepet2 — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 16:45:38 GMT

@sfnative, II always knew mango skin is toxic, but when I bought my first jicama I am glad I read about it first: the skin is used in pesticides!

I'm glad I researched the beet issue-just to know!

Poodlepet2

Re: Beets: I didn't know.....

makena — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 16:47:01 GMT

@golding76 wrote:
PoodlePet2, beet greens are near the top of my favorite greens. When I was a young girl, I remember my Greek-born maternal grandmother coming down from Pennsylvania to visit us in Maryland, and she would pick the greens from all the dandelions around our house. Not understanding that these greens were a delicacy for her and being a snot-nosed kid, I was mortified.

Now I see that dandelion greens have joined the arugula ranks.

The older Italian woman in our neighborhood used to go out and pick the dandelion greens and cook and then would make a dish out of them using oil and vinegar and would add a few other things. She was like a Grandma to us. She was over our house more than she was at her own. Her hubby grew all his own veggies and some fruits. Gosh I miss them (sigh).

Re: Beets: I didn't know.....

momtochloe — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 17:01:57 GMT

@Poodlepet2 my dad had a terrible time with his iron levels and the doctor recommended beets but more importantly the beet greens . . . my mom would sautee them with onion and throw a scrambled egg or two in there (our family does the same thing with green beans). I still make it to this day, delicious!

Re: Beets: I didn't know.....

ValuSkr — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 18:27:52 GMT

I don't care for beets, though I know they're a wonder-food. I didn't know they had skins. I'll usually peel carrots and sometimes peel potatoes, but wouldn't have thought to do so with beets.

Re: Beets: I didn't know.....

Zhills — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 18:36:34 GMT

I'll take mine pickled. I make my own and use them as a side to a sandwich for lunch or an afternon snack.

Re: Beets: I didn't know.....

vabreeze — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 04:20:23 GMT

Beets, especially the pickled ones, add so much to the taste of salad. Pickled beets are very tasty with cooked greens and green beans, too.

Reading here about dandelion greens, I once was given some dandelion wine that a colleague's mom from TN had made. I have no idea how it was made but it surely was delicious!

Re: Beets: I didn't know.....

proudlyfromNJ — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 12:13:58 GMT

When we visited my sister in Australia, I was surprised that when we had lunch out and I ordered a hamburger, it came with a slice of beet on it instead of a pickle! She told me that's how it is there. Now my husband and I always have that at home!

Re: Beets: I didn't know.....

Poodlepet2 — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 12:42:07 GMT

Hi @proudlyfromNJ! Over nov/dec of last year, I was becoming bored to death with tv...but I have an insatiable curiosity about everyday life in other countries.

Magazines are one of my favorite vehicles. I found a great magazine for everyday Aussie Women called "Women's Weekly". It is very similar to our lady magazines, but it's different.

You would love the food section: Australians love fresh food-and casual entertaining. It is really refreshing!

Poodlepet2

Re: Beets: I didn't know.....

proudlyfromNJ — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 13:26:29 GMT

@Poodlepet2 wrote:
Hi @proudlyfromNJ! Over nov/dec of last year, I was becoming bored to death with tv...but I have an insatiable curiosity about everyday life in other countries.

Magazines are one of my favorite vehicles. I found a great magazine for everyday Aussie Women called "Women's Weekly". It is very similar to our lady magazines, but it's different.
You would love the food section: Australians love fresh food-and casual entertaining. It is really refreshing!
Poodlepet2

@Poodlepet2 . Funny you should mention Women's Weekly. They make soft cover cook books. Each one with an individual theme. She brings some over every year. I can't post a picture, but they show in Google. I love them as so many things in the books are different from here.(different types of recipes).

Re: Beets: I didn't know.....

VaBelle35 — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 13:31:26 GMT

If your exposure to beets has only been in a can or on a salad bar, like me, you will be blown away by roasted beets.

They are messy, though. Definitely wear gloves unless you want your hands to turn red.

Re: Beets: I didn't know.....

Zhills — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 14:14:57 GMT

Thanks for this info. This is the one veggie I have never cooked from fresh. Will have to try it!

Re: Beets: I didn't know.....

wagirl — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 15:10:16 GMT

I put beets and the greens in my smoothies. Beets are good for your liver too. Love them cooked and sliced.

Re: Beets: I didn't know.....

DiAnne — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 15:35:04 GMT

I love roasted beets in salads.

Re: Beets: I didn't know.....

sfnative — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 20:37:48 GMT

@Poodlepet2 wrote:
@sfnative, II always knew mango skin is toxic, but when I bought my first jicama I am glad I read about it first: the skin is used in pesticides!

I'm glad I researched the beet issue-just to know!
Poodlepet2

@Poodlepet2

It appears I may need to stay away from beets, due to elements contained within which may precipitate a migraine. I am going to miss this most delicious salad, which is healthy and not full of garbage. Hoping that some here can enjoy it.

Grated Carrot & Raw Beet Salad

Source: food.com ---Modified

4 large carrots, peeled & trimmed

3 beats, peeled and trimmed

2 garlic cloves, finely minced or 1 tsp garlic paste

1 Tbs olive oil

1 Tbs balsamic vinegar (I prefer light balsamic)

1 tsp Dijon mustard

Tobasco sauce or chili pepper flakes to taste (optional)

Smoked or regular sea salt

Fresh ground pepper

Optional: One chopped apple, plus lettuce leaves for lining dish

Grate carrots and beets using grater with large holes or grate using a processor.
Place the rest of the main ingredients, from garlic to black pepper, in a large bowl. Add carrots, beets and toss until well combined.
Add any desired add-ins and toss again.
Taste, adjust seasoning and let stand for 30 minutes. **I prefer making this a day ahead so that flavors fully develop; otherwise, you can taste each ingredient as if it had just been tossed in.
Just prior to serving, add the chopped apple and line the serving bowl/dish with your favorite lettuce (I prefer butter lettuce). Add the carrot and beet mixture, then serve.

Enjoy!

Re: Beets: I didn't know.....

Poodlepet2 — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 12:26:01 GMT

@sfnative, I have two ways for you to continue to enjoy your salad....

I am not a raw foods person, but I have experimented....raw sweet potato is amazing. I like to buy smaller ones because they are easy to cut. Serialized are wonderful! Perhaps combining a little raw sweet potato with a little Apple would give you some added sweetness.

Idea number 2 : jicama....I discovered this in the past year. Are you familiar with this one?

Hugs,

Poodlepet2

Re: Beets: I didn't know.....

sfnative — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 17:17:52 GMT

@Poodlepet2 wrote:
@sfnative, I have two ways for you to continue to enjoy your salad....
I am not a raw foods person, but I have experimented....raw sweet potato is amazing. I like to buy smaller ones because they are easy to cut. Serialized are wonderful! Perhaps combining a little raw sweet potato with a little Apple would give you some added sweetness.

Idea number 2 : jicama....I discovered this in the past year. Are you familiar with this one?
Hugs,
Poodlepet2

@Poodlepet2

Perhaps "spiralized" is the word meant - yes? I do have one and use it most often for my favorite Zucchini and Shrimp Scampi. Really love that entre!!!

Haven't ventured into raw sweet potato, so do appreciate your advice to go in that direction. Sounds as though that, plus apple, would make a nice lunch, on a bed of Bibb lettuce, which is the only lettuce my gut can tolerate for some reason.

I simply LOVE jicama and have been eating it for a long time. Thing is, it's rather difficult to find a small one - LOL! - as they always seem to be huge. My husband doesn't care for it, so I'm the only one eating it. I think many pass it by in the produce section as (1) it looks weird and (2) it doesn't get enough press/recipes.