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Growing up I had weird tastes for a kid. Of course there were a few normal kid-repellers that I didn’t like (such as Brussels sprouts and sauerkraut), but there were also a few that I did enjoy, namely, beets. (Beets are a funny thing…I’ve found that most babies love them, most kids hate them, and most adults will eat them. What a vicious cycle!)
I remember my dad and my sister complaining whenever my mom made beets…and my mom and I would be ecstatic because that meant more for us. To make the beets, my mom would boil them and serve them very simply with butter, salt, and pepper. Instead of boiling them, I like to use the oven so I don’t have to watch them on the stovetop; also, right before serving I add fresh lemon juice and green herbs because I think they really brighten up the beets’ earthiness. And my mom always cut them in cubes, so when I’m eating them as their own side dish (instead of in a salad), that’s how I do it (mom always knows best, right? ;) ).
Simply Prepared Beets
(Yield: 2 servings)
3 medium-sized beets, washed and trimmed of stems and root
2 tsp butter
Fresh lemon wedges
Minced fresh green herbs, such as chives, parsley, or dill
Salt and pepper
Preheat oven to 400F. Place beets in a deep casserole dish and add a splash of water to coat the bottom of the pan by about 1/4-inch; sprinkle a little salt and pepper on top. Cover pan with a tight fitting lid or with foil; roast until beets are tender, about 1 hour. (Beets are done when you insert a sharp paring knife into the center and it slips right out.) Let the beets sit until they’re cool enough to handle.
Peel the beets (the peel will come right off if you rub it a little), and slice or cut them into any shape you like. Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat; add beets and a sprinkle of salt and pepper and cook until warm throughout. (Or you can caramelize the beets by adding a little canola or olive oil to the butter (or just using oil instead of the butter), cooking over medium-high heat, and letting them cook a bit longer to caramelize.)
Serve garnished with minced fresh green herbs, alongside fresh lemon wedges to squeeze on top.
Getting ready to cook…beets aren’t the prettiest veggie, but they sure are some of the sweetest…
I’m the writer, recipe developer, photographer, and food stylist behind this blog. I love finding the human connection through something we all do every day: eat! Food is a common ground that we can all relate to, and our tables tell a story. It’s my goal to inspire you to get in the kitchen, try something new, and find a favorite you didn’t know you had.
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oooooh beets!!
I simply adore beets! I usually bake mine in the oven then slice and top with goat cheese. Simple and delish!!
Gorgeous pictures! I was one of those weird kids too… loved beets, brussels sprouts, broccoli…
Love Beets! So simple but taste Delicious!
Roasting beets is the best method to caramelize their natural sugars. They become candy-like. Whenever I hear people whine about hating beets, it’s usually because they’ve only had the canned variety. Once they try the real-deal, roasted, they are converts. ;)
I have always loved beets Faith! This preparation sounds simple and delicious! I hardly ever eat them warm – usually do an oil and vinegar dressing and chill them. But I need to try them like this.
Real treat to eyes, fabulous and beautifully done..
US Masala
I love to eat beets as salads and in curries too.I like the choice of herbs that u have used.And for me..lemon makes everything yum!
I love beets! But I also loved brussel sprouts as a kid.
Hmmm, was I the odd child?
Beets are such stunning little charmers on a plate, love the addition of lemon & herbs to add to the whole beet experience too :)
Can you believe I have never had a beet? For some reason, it was just not something anyone in my family made. The way you prepare them sounds delicious and I would love to try them. Funny how people have different tastes and then sometimes our tastes do change as we get older. Sounds like your mom does know best:)
I had weird tastes, too. I always loved beets (canned, even!) we ate them cold, with a vinaigrette. Now, like you, I roast them. My sister never ate them, still doesn’t – she says they taste like dirt!
Beets have always been a fave of mine. But I’m the only one who likes them in my house…..
I was away from home for a short time and in the hostel fell in love with beets , something i used to not even look at!
Love them now and they used to simply make it to , with finely sliced onion , salt and a dash of vinegar and lime!
Oh how i loveeed it with their beef stew:-)
I loveee what u do here and also what u had in ur growing years, ur moms way!
I haven’t tried beets that much, but after trying them for the first time recently I was proud to say I like them! The colour is so beautiful and this looks delicious :)
Beets are good no matter what! Love their earthy flavour!
I’ve always loved beets since childhood, but my family doesn’t so much, so I don’t get to eat them so often, but i do make them for myself sometimes :)
Roasting the beets is definitely the way to go versus boiling. I love your simple presentation and how you stick to mom’s way ;-) Now I feel like having a bortsch.
I’ll have to give beets another try. I have a preconception that I don’t like them, but I also used to think I didn’t like sweet potatoes. And now I love them!
I loved beets but until recently had never made them myself. So the other day I was at Whole Foods and thought I’d pick up some. Saw this one golden beet that must have weighed eight pounds. I thought, simple, wrap the one beet in foil and roast it, dice it up, serve. Didn’t realize that an eight pound beet would take about 3 hours to cook! Cheers!
Those beets look amazing. I’m a huge fan of them. I can’t wait to try this recipe at home.
I didn’t like Brussels sprouts either as a kid. As an adult I refuse to eat them. I don’t have a strong opinion on beets, I can eat them, but they’re not something I eat often. Usually when my mom cooks them at a holiday gathering or something. Yours look delicious, and make me want to try them again! :)
I’ve actually found very few ways that I really like beets but I’m betting this would be one of them. It is faith-approved after all!
so funny because i HATED beets as a child and now i love them :) this recipe looks fabulous. i would make it but my husband can’t stomach beets. true to say what another commentor said-you either love them or hate them. have a great day Faith!
I love the dark purple colour of the beets! Those are some really nice pictures u got there! i bet the beets taste delicious!
Beets are interesting vegetables. I love the color and texture, but the flavor never appealed to me. I haven’t eaten them in years and should try them again at some point. Our tastes can change over time. I, too, hated Brussel sprouts as a child; now, they’re my favorite vegetable.
Simply prepared beets? Simply delicious! … Okay, I know, that wasn’t clever. But still, those do look outstanding!
I haven’t had beets in forever. Just like you said, I remember not liking them as a child. I think it’s stuck with me and I haven’t ventured back since. You make them look so beautiful and tasty; it’s got me thinking I really need to explore the world of beets again!
Oh yeah! I make beets like this all the time, Faith. So sweet. Simple, simple to let those flavors shine through!
Love this preserved beets in salad..
My picky son loves beets. he finds it very funny how his tongue turns red. I didn’t like them as a kid but I just love them as an adult. I make them with a sauce of yogurt and garlic and can’t stop eating them. Yours look beautiful as well.
Never had a beetroot when I was a kid…actually I eat them because they are nutritious and healthy. :-))
Oh, I love beets! I’ve only ever eaten them from a can, though. For shame, right??? I must be making my own. Yours sound great and I love that you cut them the same way your mom did. Yes, mom knows best!
This sounds a great way to make beets…checkout my beetroot masala dosa…traditional south Indian breakfast http://nisahomey.blogspot.com/2010/12/masala-dosathe-indian-coffee-house.html
Roasted beets are a fave! Simply delicious :)
I only started liking beets in the past few years, but I don’t just like them… I LOVE them! moms do know best… that sounds like a great way to make them!
They look so good. We love beets! Any which way!
I’ve only started cooking beets recently. I do like them but the guys will not touch them. I guess I’ll have to roast just two or three for myself. Adding fresh herbs is a great idea! The lemon wedges give a nice contrast of colors.
My mom fixed beets in a similar way, but she also sprinkled just a bit of sugar on the buttered beets. I love them fixed like this and also pickled. Hubby HATES them though, so I have to cook them when he’s not in the house. They’re so pretty!
I’m not a huge fan of beets, but your photos are beautiful, and are making me change my mind.
YUM.
I LOVE beets. With lemon is so good… and with balsamic and caraway is good – my favourite is goat cheese. YUM!
:)
Valerie
I’ve never had beets. I’ll have to try these!
simple beets looks delicious, my hubby and little one even eat raw beets. I like to eat cooked beet with some touch of coconut.
Your beets are seriously beautiful :)
I hated beets when I was young, but I really really love them now. I prepared them similarly to you. Then I let them cool to room temp and chunk them up on top of a salad with goat cheese!
Yum!
I love beets but my husband doesn’t but he might actually try these! My grandma used to make pickled beets and jar them so they always remind me of her.
I have always enjoyed beets, and I love these…beautiful :)
Your beets look wonderful! Great photos and I’m lovin’ the colours! I would say I’d love to try them but I don’t actually like beets lol. The only time I’ve ever tried them was when my mom juiced RAW beets and made us drink the juice. Which really wasn’t good and has completely put me off them ever since. I will have to actually step out and try them sometime!
Seriously, upon seeing your beets picture I ran downstairs and grabbed some sweet pickled beets to chomp on. Needless to say, I love beets. They are kind of ugly before cooking, but have such beautiful colour after cooking. I’ve never tried beets your way before, it sounds wonderful! I’ll have to try it some day. Thank you for sharing, Faith.
I love beets. They always remind of garnets and I have no objection to jewels on my plate :-). I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary
Beets are a love it or hate it food! I love them, Josh hates them ;) I usually order them out at restaurants. I love them on top of a salad (simply) or as chips! Yours look beautiful- the color is stunning
One of my favorite root veggies! Simple, but delicious.
cheers,
Rosa
I’m not much of a beet eater (I must still be in that “kid phase”), but this actually makes me want to try! Love the simple fresh flavors :)