The beet goes on
BALSAMIC BEET SALAD
2 lbs. fresh beets, with greens
1 red onion, slivered
4 oz. Gorgonzola cheese, cubed
2 oz. fresh basil, chiffonade(d)
1 cup Balsamic vinegar (use the real stuff, not "flavored")
salt & white pepper (or black) as needed
1 lb. baby lettuce
Don't wear white. Leave a little bit of the tops on the beets and boil them in in their skins until cooked -- about 20 minutes (as you would boil potatoes). Drain and rinse in cold water until cool enough to handle; rub skins and peel (as you would sweet potatoes). Slice or dice for salad -- bite size. Add onion, cheese, basil, vinegar, and season to taste. Serve with a bit of baby lettuce. Can be served immediately, or made ahead and chilled.
* * * * *
It was thrilling to use basil from my own kitchen garden! Heh. If three basil plants and one Italian parsley counts as a "garden."
Yum. And I love beets.
Posted by: Special Needs Mama | 05 July 2008 at 09:27 AM
"Don't wear white" - as if you might have learned from experience???
Posted by: deb | 05 July 2008 at 10:09 AM
I love your common sensical and experiential advice: don't wear white.
Posted by: kmkat | 05 July 2008 at 10:37 AM
Yes, the most awesome part of that recipe is the clothing advice! At the beginning, like preheating instructions -- pre-wardrobe advice.
I used to dislike beets intensely as a child, and now like them very much. And that color! (even if not appreciated on my white shirts).
Posted by: Cathy-Cate | 05 July 2008 at 11:50 AM
I LOVE pickled beets and have since I was a child. I've never cooked beets, may have to give it a try. Looks good Vicki!
Posted by: Susan | 05 July 2008 at 01:38 PM
I love beets! I usually wrap them in foil and bake for 45-60 mins. Then the skins just slip right off. Wearing gloves is also good advice or your have purple cuticles for a week.
Posted by: Jessica | 05 July 2008 at 01:40 PM
Ooh - I love beets. That looks like a scrump-dittily-icious recipe. Thanks a bunch.
Posted by: Jennifer | 05 July 2008 at 01:56 PM
I am stopping by the store to get the ingredients on my way home from work! I love beets...
Posted by: Birdsong | 05 July 2008 at 05:32 PM
I love LOVE gorgonzola with beets! Found a similar salad dressing in one of those sunday paper supplements... and then started serving gorgonzola on the side with roasted veggies (when the veggies include beets).
Posted by: lisa | 06 July 2008 at 03:07 PM
With everyone else professing their love of beets, how can I help but chime in? YUM!
Posted by: Celia | 07 July 2008 at 12:04 PM
If you like beets, I recently read a recipe for chocolate-beet cake. It looks really good and I think I'll be making it soon.
http://littleorangekitchen.typepad.com/my_little_orange_kitchen/2008/07/rubies-of-the-field.html
Posted by: Rebecca | 09 July 2008 at 11:02 AM