As you walk the isle of the grocery store these days, there are rows and rows of juices. So, what is the big deal about all this juicy juice? Well it is an easy and d’lish way to get your recommended fruits and vegetables, and not to mention all the vitamins.

So what to do? Got the bucks to buy a bottle? Ok, great.  Or should you buy a home juicer? If you love juice and juicing then yes, go for it; it’s worth the splurge.

What you juice can have a lot of amazing health benefits. Here’s a favorite blend of mine:

We’ll start with beets. In addition to being sweet and oh-so-pretty, they are high in antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory benefits.

Next, I add a little celery for its touch of natural salt, bright flavor, and it’s a natural diuretic.

Then we bring it home with a slice of fresh ginger, apple and a touch of lemon juice. Yum!

Oh and did I mention that this is fantastic as a mixer for a cocktail too! Yes that’s right, the juicing trend is moving into Happy Hour. I have included one of my favorite juice blends below that incorporates hydrating coconut water – excellent as a little juice shot! –Kathy

Beet It
Makes about  2 1/2 cups juice – depending on the juiciness of your produce (about 4 servings)

1 – 2 medium beets
1 large green apple
1 pear
1 cup fresh strawberries, stems removed
3 Tbsp fresh-squeezed lemon juice
1-inch chunk fresh ginger
1/2 cup coconut water

Juice the beet, apple pear and strawberries. Then add the lemon juice and coconut water.

Chill and enjoy!

Recipe and Photo © Kathy Casey Food Studios.

Potatoes have to be one of the most popular foods in the world. They’re economical AND delicious. Potatoes are great boiled or baked, mashed, smashed, or fried.

And aren’t baked potatoes the best? Served on the side of a juicy steak and smothered with sour cream and chives. Or as a main dish stuffed with every imaginable thing from spicy chili and cheese to grilled veggies with tahini!

But one of my favorite dishes to make for holiday dinners is Blue Cheese Scalloped Potatoes! This robust dish gets a kick from blue cheese and fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary.

Then there’s mashed potatoes…and there are SO MANY variations to get creative with. Just be sure when mashing OR whipping, that your spuds are piping HOT – you don’t want gluey potatoes. After the whipping has commenced then it’s time to fold in some fun – roasted corn, cheese, chives or fresh herbs, sauteed mushrooms, caramelized onions…the list goes on and on!

So get creative with your spuds! -Kathy

Blue Cheese Scalloped Potatoes
You can also make this recipe in advance, then let cool and store, covered and refrigerated, for up to 2 days. Bring to room temperature and reheat, covered, in a preheated 350°F oven until hot.

Makes 12 servings

Potatoes
5 pounds russet potatoes
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
2 tsp. minced fresh thyme
3/4 cup (3 ounces) crumbled blue cheese
3/4 cup (3 ounces) grated Parmesan cheese

Sauce
1 cup sour cream
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 tsp. salt

Fresh thyme sprigs for garnishing

Preheat an oven to 350°F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.

To prepare the potatoes, peel and cut them into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Toss them in a large bowl with the salt, pepper, and thyme. In a small bowl, mix the cheeses.

Layer half the potatoes in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with half the cheese mixture, then layer with the remaining potatoes.

To make the sauce, whisk the ingredients in a bowl and pour the mixture over the potatoes. Tap the baking dish on the counter to spread the sauce and release any air bubbles. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.

Bake for about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours, or until browned and completely tender all the way through when poked in the center with a knife.

Garnish with thyme sprigs and serve immediately.

Recipe from Kathy Casey’s Northwest Table Cookbook

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!

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

The cold weather months naturally make us crave heartier foods…so thank goodness for root vegetables! They are versatile in flavor, texture and application – as well as budget-friendly and a great source of complex-carbohydrates.

Rutabagas, parsnips, carrots, turnips and beets are all part of this delicious group.

Roasted Beets are so tasty, especially when finished with my Orange Cumin Glaze. Just pop whole beets in a 375 degree oven tented in foil and roast until fork tender – when cooled, the skins will slip off easily. I love them tossed in a salad with arugula, blue cheese, walnuts and balsamic vinaigrette.

The often overlooked parsnip is also a fave – roast them whole with a chicken alongside a few of those beautiful rainbow carrots we see in the markets these days. My Creamy Roasted Parsnip Soup paired with chevre and walnut croutons is so delicious you won’t even notice that you’re eating a bowl full of vegetables! Pour yourself a glass of Washington wine and you’re all set for a cozy meal.

Parsnips and carrots can also be enjoyed simply steamed and mashed with seasoning, butter, olive oil or sour cream. It’s the perfect tasty side dish alternative to traditional potatoes.

Embrace these cold days by filling up with some hearty root veggies!
–Kathy

Roasted Beets with Orange Cumin Glaze
Makes about 6 servings.

5 large beets (about 2 lb.)
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1 tsp ground cumin
1 Tbsp white wine vinegar
1 1/2 Tbsp honey
1 tsp cornstarch
2 Tbsps butter
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts
1 Tbsp finely chopped orange zest
2 Tbsps chopped fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Wash the beets and leave root untrimmed. Place beets on a large sheet of foil and seal like a package. Place foil packet on a baking pan and roast in preheated oven until very tender, about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Poke beets to make sure they are tender.

As soon as beets are cool enough to handle, slip the skins off and slice into ¼-inch slices.

In a small bowl mix together the orange juice, cumin, vinegar , honey and corn starch. Stir until cornstarch is well incorporated.

Place liquid mixture in a large, non-stick sauté pan and heat over medium-high heat, whisking – while adding the butter and salt. Bring to a boil and add the sliced beets. Cook, turning beets as necessary, until they are hot and nicely glazed. Place on a serving platter or in large, shallow bowl.

Mix together the walnuts, orange zest and parsley and sprinkle over the beets.

Chef’s Notes:
You can prepare this recipe part way in advance: Just roast, peel and slice the beets ahead of time. This can be done up to 3 days in advance. Then finish the rest of the recipe procedure per instructions.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios®

Creamy Roasted Parsnip Soup with Chevre & Walnut Crostini
Makes 6 servings

4 cups 1/2-inch-sliced peeled parsnips (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsps butter
1/4 cup thinly sliced shallots
1 stalk celery, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
3 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/2 cup dry white wine
4 cups chicken broth (I used packaged organic broth)
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

Croutons
6 1/4-inch-thick slices baguette or French bread
Olive oil
3 ounces chevre (goat cheese)
3 Tbsps chopped walnuts, lightly toasted

Garnish: thinly sliced fresh chives and/or celery leaves

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

First, toast the bread for the croutons: Lay the bread on a baking sheet, brush slices lightly with oil, and toast in the preheated oven for about 3 – 5 minutes, or until just lightly golden. Remove and let cool. (You can do this the day before and keep croutons in a tightly closed container after they cool.)

Toss parsnips and olive oil together in a bowl to coat evenly. Spread out on a baking sheet (you can reuse the one used for the bread), and roast till golden and totally tender, about 30 minutes.

Heat butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Sauté shallots and celery until very tender, about 3 minutes; do not brown. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds more. Add wine and bring to a boil. Add chicken broth, cream and roasted parsnips and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium or low, to maintain a slow simmer. Cook for about 5 minutes and then add salt and cayenne. In small batches, puree mixture in a blender. (Be careful; it’s hot!)

Return soup to pan and adjust seasoning if needed. Cool and refrigerate for up to 3 days before serving.

To serve the soup and finish the crostini:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Spread the cheese on the croutons, then top each one with a half-tablespoon of nuts. Press in slightly and bake for about 4 minutes or until cheese is warmed.
Meanwhile, heat the soup, stirring often, over medium heat till hot, making sure it does not stick on the bottom. Serve the hot soup in warm bowls. Top with chives or celery leaf and serve a warm goat cheese crouton on the side.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios®