Posts from September, 2019

Beets

Pickled or roasted, steamed or boiled, I adore beets whichever way they’re prepared! I even like to grate them raw into salads for some fantastic color and flavor.

Beets have always been one of my favorite vegetables and now we find them everywhere. At that trendy juice bar next to the wheat grass. Or the swanky hipster restaurant in a new cocktail. And even in that chocolate cake you are making for your kids so they will eat their veggies – but shhhh! That’s our secret!
beetingeggs

They’re great in my Beet’ing Heart Deviled Eggs!

In addition to being delicious, beets are REALLY good for you! The nutrient in beet’s red pigment called betalain is high in antioxidants, has anti-inflammatory benefits, and can even reduce your risk of heart disease. Beets are also a great source of fiber and vitamin C!

Photo from The Atlantic

If you boil or roast your beets, don’t bother peeling them before-hand. Once they’re cooked, the skins will rub right off!

Looking for a new side dish? Try my Mashed Roasted Beets with Lime, Sour Cream and Cilantro. This will turn the most resistant beet eater into a beet enthusiast in no time. The sweet flavors of the beets combined with the zing of the lime and a dollop of low-fat sour cream will make this a family favorite.

Beets – a colorful, flavor addition to your next dish! –Kathy

Mashed Roasted Beets with Lime, Sour Cream & Cilantro
This beet preparation will turn the most resistant beet eater into a beet lover. If you have time, the ultimate taste intensity can be produced by roasting the beets in a 375-degree F. oven until very tender; allow about 1 – to 2 hours depending upon the size of your beets The yield will be reduced because of moisture evaporation, so use 5 beets.

Makes four 1/2-cup servings.

4 beets (about 1 1/2 lbs.)
2 Tbsp butter or olive oil
1/4 cup sour cream or 0% Greek yogurt
1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tsp ground coriander
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
2 Tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
salt to taste

Wash the beets, trimming top to 1″ – 2″ and leaving root untrimmed. Steam until very tender (or see roasting note, above).

As soon as beets are cool enough to handle, slip the skins off and cut into large chunks. Place in food processor with butter and sour cream; process until smooth-like in texture but not a total puree. Mix in lime juice, coriander, pepper flakes and chopped cilantro. Season to taste with salt.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios® – www.KathyCasey.com

Posted by Kathy on September 26th, 2019  |  Comments Off on Beets |  Posted in Dishing with Kathy Casey Blog, Kathy Casey, KOMO Radio, Recent Posts, Recipes, root vegetables, sides, vegetables

Fig-a-licious Fruit!

Although I love them, figs are so much more than the iconic Fig Newton, which by the way was first sold dried in a commercially manufactured cookie in 1892. Who knew?

Figs: they’re unusual, versatile, and even grow well here in Seattle. I have a fig tree in my backyard!

Fig edited
A plump fig growing in my back Urban Garden – ready to be picked!

It’s best to pick figs when fully ripened. The fig is ready for harvest when it drops on the stem from its own weight. Pick with the stems attached, but always plan to use within a few days.

Although in the kitchen we consider it a fruit, the fig is actually a flower that is inverted into itself. There are no blossoms on the tree’s branches; the blossom is inside the fig. Many tiny flowers produce the crunchy little seeds that give figs their unusual taste and texture.

Figs are of course fabulous fresh, but you can also cook up some creative dishes with them too.

One of my favorite apps is quick and easy: Roasted Figs with Gorgonzola and Walnuts. So easy to make. I love them paired with a delicious Manhattan made with House Spiced Vermouth – YUM!–Kathy

Roasted Figs with Gorgonzola and Walnuts
Makes about 24 to 30 pieces

4 ounces Gorgonzola cheese
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1 pint fresh figs, halved lengthwise

Preheat an oven to 425°F. In a small bowl, mix the Gorgonzola and walnuts. Arrange the figs, cut side up, on an ungreased baking sheet, and top each piece with 1 generous teaspoon of the Gorgonzola mixture.

Roast the figs for about 6 to 8 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is hot. Let cool slightly and enjoy!

Recipe © from Kathy Casey’s Northwest Table Cookbook.

Posted by Kathy on September 19th, 2019  |  Comments Off on Fig-a-licious Fruit! |  Posted in Books to Cook, Dishing with Kathy Casey Blog, Fruit, KOMO Radio, Recipes, Small Screen Network, videos
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