Cooking Fresh Beets

Cooking fresh beets is a simple and satisfying way to eat healthier. Beets are very high in nutrients and they taste great! Honestly, is there a more fun vegetable than this bright red root?

Fresh beets are a great way to add flavor to your dishes

Many people are intimidated by cooking fresh beets, when really, it's one of the easiest things to do in the kitchen. Beets are simple root vegetables, so it is pretty difficult to ruin them. The first thing you have to know is that beets stain everything. They will stain your hands, your clothes, and your floor if you're not careful. When cutting and handling beets, it's always a good idea to wear gloves and wear an apron. Having dark colored clothes on never hurts, either!

There are two ways you can peel beets. One is the old fashioned way – peeling the skin off a raw beet with a vegetable peeler.

The other way is much easier and faster. First, turn your oven to 350°F and scrub your beets so that they are free from dirt and debris. Completely wrap each beet in a piece of aluminum foil and place them in your preheated oven for about one hour. Beets are done when they can be easily pierced with a fork.

Once the beets are cooked through, remove them from the oven and set them aside to cool. Once they are cool enough to handle, unwrap the beets and remove the top with a knife. Then, remove the skin by rubbing it with your fingers. You may want to use gloves or a paper towel here to avoid getting beet juice all over your hands. If the skin does not come off easily, the beets are not done and should be rewrapped and cooked for another 15 to 20 minutes.

When the beets are peeled, feel free to serve them up however you like. Chop them up and season them with salt and pepper or else slice them into a salad or other dish that needs a little color.

If you like steamed beets, they are very easy to prepare. First, peel the beets like you would a carrot – with a vegetable peeler and moving from top to bottom. Slice the beets into half-inch thick rounds, season them gently with salt and pepper, and place them in a hot vegetable steamer. You can use either an electronic steamer or a pot with a metal grate at the bottom. Steam for about 15 minutes or until beets are easily pierced with a fork.

Perhaps one of the world's most popular beet recipes is called borscht, which is an Eastern European beet soup. This bright magenta dish is particularly a favorite of small children, who love the color and sweet taste. It's very easy to make borscht and, in fact, it is so full of produce that it counts as almost multiple servings of vegetables in one bowl! Make tons a head of time – it freezes very well and makes a great last minute dinner idea when you do not have time to cook.

Did you know that you can even make fresh beets into desserts? You'll be surprised to learn all of the lovely things you can do with this little vegetable:

• How about a beet cake? This recipe is sweet and tender and your kids will have no idea they're eating something healthy (well, sort of). Here is a flourless version for those who cannot have any wheat products.
• Beets can be made into brownies as well, which results in a thick, fudgy treat with a gorgeous red hue.
• If you're looking for a touch of spice, try beet mousse with cardamom. This unique recipe is sure to be remembered fondly by your dinner guests.

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