….. beetroot is the ‘marmite’ of the root world. The texture, colour & taste seem to spark so many views every time I serve it!
Both the leaves and ‘root’ have been enjoyed since Roman times and there’s even a suggestion that beetroot was grown in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon! I can’t claim to have quite the same setting for my home-grown beetroot which is squeezed into my garden troughs!
I love beetroot – I’m in the camp of ‘can’t get enough of it’. The colour, texture and versatility is fabulous – grated raw in salads, steamed and sliced in tarts, and roasted with other veg for a great sharing feast. The smaller leaves and thinner stalks work well with other peppery friends in a salad, or can be blanched and served with garlicky butter.
And there are so many varieties (and colours) to enjoy. My favourite has to be the golden beetroot – a bright yellow contrast to its crimson cousin. Golden beetroot has a slightly more delicate texture; they cook quicker and have a softer/lighter taste. Delicious with a lemony dressing, perhaps with a few chopped herbs and a twist of pepper; or mixed with other beets to create a true ‘beetroot celebration’
This weekend I made exactly this – a very simple and quick salad. Beetroot (2 types yellow & purple) boiled and peeled, a handful of chopped walnuts, 75g crumbled goats cheese, dressing : 2/3 olive oil, 1/3 white wine vinegar, tsp honey, tsp yogurt, s&p, finely chopped chives & thyme. So delicious and easy and also great on day 2 (from the fridge) if there’s any left.
I also regularly use raw beetroot as part of my cure for my Gin & Beetroot Gravadlax based on Jamie Oliver’s fantastic recipe from his Christmas Cookbook and a true star of any party. I included this in my Summer workshops and all my guests were blown away with the colour and taste! I plan to include a slightly different version in my Autumn ‘Dinner Party Dazzler’ – the ultimate guide to a 3 course dinner party with all the recipes, tricks and ‘wows’ for an amazing & delicious evening – that you can also have the time to enjoy!!
In the meantime – do you love it or loath it…… please do let me know?!
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