Posts tagged as:

greens

Give Beets a Chance

April 29, 2008

Roasted Beet Salad

When I mention that beets are included in a recipe, I fully expect to get a cringe in reply. It seems that beets are a vegetable that nearly everyone loves to hate. I think the main culprits behind beets’ bad reputation are childhood memories of the vinegary, acidic taste of beets that emerged from a can and household rules that demanded a clean plate. If this is your history with beets then it might be time to give beets another chance.

Beets that are fresh from the garden are tasty and loaded with nutrients (bearing no resemblance to their canned counterparts). Beets have a strong nutritional profile and have historically been used to stimulate circulation and promote detoxification. Beet greens are rich in calcium, iron, and vitamins A and C. They can be prepared the same way you would cook chard, kale, or spinach. Beet roots come in a wide variety of colors and can be served raw or cooked. They are an excellent source of fiber, manganese, and potassium and studies have shown anti-cancer properties. [click to continue…]

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Caesar Salad

Here in Berkeley we are slowly shifting into spring. The trees are just starting to blossom and the birds are returning to the backyard. It feels good to have the sun shining a little bit more and a little bit longer.

For me, the transition into a new season brings a change in my palate and after a winter of warm, comforting foods, I begin to crave raw salads, greens and crunchy vegetables. I think the Caesar salad is perfect for this transitional time, with crunchy greens warmed up a bit by a thick creamy dressing (and of course, croutons). [click to continue…]

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