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

In addition to being delicious, beets are REALLY nutritious. Betalains are the nutrient-rich pigments found in beets which also act as antioxidants – they can have anti-inflammatory benefits as well, and can even reduce your risk of heart disease. Beets are a great source of fiber and vitamin C!

If you boil or roast your beets, don’t bother peeling them before-hand. Once they’re cooked, the skins will rub and peel right off! Just don’t forget to wear gloves… those pigments will dye your hands the same color as the beets!

Looking for a mashed potato alternative? How about trying 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 with the zing of the lime and a dollop of low-fat sour cream will make this a family favorite.

Oh, and if you are buying beets with the tops on don’t forget you can eat the greens too – just saute with some olive oil, garlic and a little onion and serve with a squeeze a lemon.

Beets – a healthy, delicious and colorful addition to your table. – 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 tablespoons soft butter or margarine
1/4 cup sour cream or non-fat sour cream
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons 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 3 tablespoons of the 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.

Serve hot, dolloped with remaining sour cream if desired.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios®.