Thursday, June 27, 2013

Beets and Orange Salad in White Balsamic Vinegar

                                 

                                   



Do you know how to cook fresh beets?  It's easy, and you don't have to peel them. You simply scrub them, boil them with skin till tender, slide off the skin, and eat them. Cooking beets looks intimidating, but it's really really easy. If you do decide to cook some,  you can try  this simple, tasty, cold recipe that makes a great side for a BBQ or a tasty accompaniment for any dinner on a hot summer night. I love the color combination of the ruby red beets and vibrant oranges. It makes a beautiful presentation.

                        


I haven't cooked fresh beets in a long time. Despite loving beets, I always think cooking them is going to be too messy. But it's summer, and fresh  beets are in the farmer's markets and all the CSA's. I've really been craving them, so I decided to go for it. 

                       fresh beets

Someone once told me not to cut any part of the beet before boiling it. They said by not cutting you will reduce the bleeding ( and mess) . The method seemed to work. I just scrubbed the beets well and threw them into a pot of boiling water and boiled them until they were soft. I used a slotted spoon to remove them from the boiling water, rubber gloves so my hands didn't turn red, and just slid off the cooked skin with my fingers.. ( it was a little messy but fast and easy, and worth it.)


Once the skin ( which is very thin) just slid off, I then sliced my beets in 1/2 moons and displayed them on a plate. I also had some oranges which I sliced and laid them around the beets and squeezed a little of the juice on the beets as well . I then sprinkled the beets with white balsamic vinegar (  I bought at Trader Joe's - love that place- and dove in.. Absolutely delicious.

Boiled and skinned beet ; Takes 10 seconds -  skin slips right off 
While I'm on the beet kick, I might even make some beet borscht,  which is a great cold soup on a hot summer day

Power Up Your Diet !  Beets are an excellent source of immune building antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, including iron.  In addition, they are very

  • low in calories ( about 45 calories a cup) 
  • high in fiber 
  • have zero cholesterol
  • almost no fat 
  • provide cardiovascular benefits 
  • rich in potassium 
 Potassium is known to help lower heart rate and balance the metabolism within the cells by opposing the negative effects of sodium.

It's such a healthy vegetable for your family and because beets are sweet , even little one's may eat them
 ( probably not the older ones if they are not used to them) I always use organic beets because they are always available at my supermarket,  and they taste so darned good .. and actually they are about the same price as regular fresh beets!

I found the white Balsamic Vinegar at Trader Joe's. I had never heard of it before, but it looked intriguing. I tried it out on this recipe. I think it tastes more like regular vinegar, but it was non the less delicious.



Like watermelon, beets feel cooling to me in this hot weather. Maybe because I serve them cold.

Do you like beets? How do you cook them? Do you have any good beet recipes to share? Looking forward to your comments! Please leave one.
    
I will be sharing this every day on the daily blog parties on  

My blog carnival list


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33 comments:

  1. I tried beets for the first time this year and they're much better than I thought they'd be! :)

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  2. wow! first time? that's amazing..Let me know if you try this recipe

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  3. I've prepared beets by roasting in the oven with green beans. Simply delish. Thanks for sharing. Beets scare a lot of people. http://thedomesticlifestylist.com/2011/10/16/roasted-beets-with-green-beans-and/

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  4. I love roasted vegetables, but never tried beets. Thanks for the great idea.

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  5. I love beets but usually only eat them at restaurants because I never quite know what to do with them. Thanks for the inspiration!

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    1. They are even good just boiled , slip off the thin skin and eat! No need for a special recipe..

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  6. Lovely! The colors are so pretty! :)

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  7. Beets are one of my new found joys this summer! Loving them! And, I am completely intrigued by the White Balsamic...I will have to try it!

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    1. It really is intriguing.. but I thought it tasted more like the regular vinegar. I'll probably stick with the dark kind and use this when I don't want a dark color..

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  8. I have never actually had beets. They're almost too purple for me..isn't that terrible that I'm judging it by the color!
    I should give these a try since I love oranges.
    Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friday

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    1. I think you either love them or hate beets.. My husband won't touch them either, and he is a real vegetable eater. . I love them.. They are so sweet and delicious. But I understand your judgement..Let me know what you think if you decide to give them a try..

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  9. Beets are so intimidating... but apparently for no reason! Thanks for the easy and beautiful recipe! And thanks for visiting chockababy :)

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    1. In the comments, Lisa suggested " preparation gloves" . I think it's a great idea..

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  10. Beets are one of my favorite vegetables, so these look delicious. Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday!

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  11. Such pretty color on the salad and I love the orange and beets combination. Thanks for sharing it with Souper Sundays this week.
    ;-)

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    1. It really is beautiful and tastes great. Thanks for hosting your weekly party!

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  12. I used to be scared to work with beetroot too, until I discovered food preparation gloves! Wow, I've never tried white balsamic vinegar - on the shopping list it goes!

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  13. I got it at Trader Joe's with all their vinegars. Haven't seen it anywhere else. Hope you like it!

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  14. What a wonderful salad! I usually eat pickled beets and recently tried them roasted, which was spectacular. Thank you for sharing at Simple Supper Tuesday.

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  15. Oooh, I love beets and this sounds so tasty! Thanks for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays. x

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  16. I love beets!! Thanks for sharing I pinned and tweeted it!

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  17. Judee,
    My mom makes a beet and apricot side dish, and I like beets with oranges in smoothies, so I bet I'd like this. I've been on a beet greens kick lately, but will need to get 'round to eating all the bottoms that I tossed back into the crisper to get at the lovely tops.
    Thanks!

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  18. I've been on a beet kick too.. Maybe it's the season! I'd love to know the beet and apricot side dish recipe.. Have you posted it? Sounds great!

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  19. My Mom loooooooove beets and while I was growing up I didn't care much for them. Now I actually like them a lot(!!) and eat them quite often.
    I also made beets-challah

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  20. Judee, this is such a great tip. I avoid beets b/c of the bleeding/mess. I guess I'd have to say I like them roasted best. Thanks for linking with See Ya in the Gumbo this week.

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  21. I've never fixed beets - I've just always let my mom do it. :-) Thanks for linking at Trim Healthy Tuesday!

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  22. Haha. I didn't even know beets had skins. Shame on me right? The only way I have ever eaten them is pickled. We buy them that way from the Amana Colonies down the road. They are soooooo good but know you have me curious. This looks so pretty and obviously healthy. I am going to remember this one. Thanks for sharing on BeColorful.
    p

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  23. Thanks so much for sharing your healthy and yummy recipe at the Say G'day Saturday Linky party.

    This week's link up has started so please drop by when you have a minute and say g'day!

    Best wishes,
    Natasha in Oz

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  24. Yum! Just thinking that I could probably use some of that white balsamic vinegar to spice things up on my dinner plate too.

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  25. What a delicious combination of flavors! I have pinned it. Thank you for sharing your recipe with the Hearth and Soul Hop!

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  26. I usually eat boiled beets with lemon juice and a pinch of salt; I eat them hot the first time and cold as leftovers. Last time I tried a new recipe where the beets are wrapped in foil and baked. Love beets

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  27. Lovely recipe and simple directions. My favorite way to eat beets is raw in a tossed salad. They taste so earthy and flavorful that way. Next time I make them, I'll do it your way. Nancy A @ obloggernewbie.blogspot.com

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