A very important step when cooking beets
It is a step that many people forget, and it is that very forgetfulness that makes it so necessary. I am talking about my use of stick notes to remind myself the next morning that i ate beets...and I know I am not the only one that forgets. You know you all have that moment of panic at 6am the next morning, pre-coffee, barely awake, then red...something is wrong, you must be dying, but really, it’s what dyed you that is causing the ummm “issue”.
So after multiple freak outs - and living alone not having someone who can scream, “calm down you ate beets at dinner”, I came up with the stick note - it works, and yes I have been laughed at, but ask any nurse that works in an ER and she/he will tell you that freaking out over forgotten beets happens.
Beets are one of those things that work well for single cooks - most grocery stores sell them in bulk, meaning you can buy just one. They also naturally single serving sized (for the most part). The only downside is that they do take some prep, so the are better left to a weekend meal.
One of my favourite beet recipes works as a great side dish, or starter salad (all depending on if you serve it cold or warm). You will need:
- 1 large beet (or two smaller ones)
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1-2 tbsp goat cheese
Start by cooking the beets. This is the part that takes the longest. Cut off the top and bottom of the beet, and place into a pot with enough room to cover the beet by about an inch. Add a little salt and boil until you can stick a knife into the beet and it feels soft (this typically takes an hour).
Once the beet is cooked, drain and place in a big bowl of cold water - once it has cooled enough you can handle it, you need to peel it. This is MESSY so there are two things I do - first wear gloves (non-latex please, I rather not die) and I peel it in the big bowl of water (your fingers are pink, but not too badly pink). The skins should come off easily if you just rub, but if not, use a knife.
Once peeled, cut into wedges. Here’s where you need to decide if this will be hot or cold.
If cold, drizzle with the olive oil and then sprinkle the goat cheese on top. Add salt and/or pepper if you like.
If warm, add olive oil to a pan and heat to medium. Add beets and stir for about 2-3 minutes...just enough to heat. Remove from pan and top with the goat cheese.
Whether warm or cold, remember the most important step...put a sticky note in your washroom.