Thursday 7 May 2009

In the Pink

'YUCK, it tastes like soil,' was my mantra if anyone dare offer me beetroot.
And as mother and the boy piled their plates high with the ruby root I would contort my face and make retching sounds, scouring disapprovingly at their pink-stained tongues.
In my opinion, it was the (beet)root of all evil.
But then a fortnight ago, at a family barbecue, it suddenly started to wink cheekily at me as it lay elegantly sliced upon a platter.
Dubiously, I sneaked a few slithers onto the corner of my plate, hiding it under a lettuce leaf so that it would fall under the radar - after all, there were plenty of plant pots I could slide them into should the need arise.
Like a secret agent I went unnoticed as I slid a piece into my mouth, and - cue dimmed lights and cheesy music - there I fell in love. Oui, je t'aime.
Now I am nibbling on the stuff for fun. I feel like I've hooked up with an old pal and we are making up for lost time.
So far I've indulged in only the pre-cooked vacuum-packed variety, usually eating them whole from the packet, or sliced with salad if I am being classy.
What else can I do with this humble root? I know it sits well with goats' cheese, and lamb, but am unsure how to best prepare it. Your ideas please....
One problem. My new love has turned my number ones into pink Champagne!

18 comments:

Unknown said...

When you eat beetroot, do you get Dracula teeth? I've never eaten them since I was a kid, and even then, It was something out of can. I remember not liking it.

Emily said...

I haven't ever looked. Maybe I need to. Maybe that's the reason I get strange looks in the office!

Unknown said...

Oh, forgot to mention theres an award for you on my blog :).

Emily said...

Thanks HH

Thinspired said...

I need to learn to love beetroot but I haven't yet! I know it's healthy but I just can't stomach it!

Emily said...

Go for it Lara! If nothing else it makes you laugh when you go to the toilet!

Unknown said...

Just discovered your blog and it is great - funnily enough I refer to my boyfriend as Meat and Three Veg on my blog as that is his favourite meal - am trying to expand his horizons though. Mind you he does love beetroot so maybe he is ahead of some people on that front!

Emily said...

Hi Gourmet Chick. Thanks for dropping by and commenting. At least your other half likes his veg. I know some men who won't touch fruit or veg as it's 'girl's food'. Tut!

jessicajlee said...

beetroot is possibly amongst my top three favourite veg.

when i was a teenager, i used to pack roast beetroot, crusty bread, and cheese for lunch! a bit strange, no?

Emily said...

That sounds delicious Jessica. It really goes well with cheese, doesn't it? I need to find new ways to eat it too!

thepassionatecook said...

oh my god, i wish that would happen to me... i still feel like i am biting into a flowerbed every time i try it! although i have to say that a friend baked it the other day and that was the most pleasant i'd ever eaten it!

rich (them apples) said...

I too used to hate beetroot, then I was talked into growing it on the llotment I share with a friend. Well, not so much 'talked into', rather, I turned my back for twenty minutes and he stuck a couple of rows in...

Anyway, it's utterly delicious raw, thinly sliced or grated. Try it in a salad with tomatoes and balsamic vinegar. I use a massive, massive flat dish for this one, and spread everything out with very colourful results.

You could also try roasting it, wrapped in foil with a little salt and olice oil.

Best of all, though, I've started making some excellent pickled eggs with beetroot...the beets colour the eggs, and the results are superb.

I thought I had a serious medical problem the day after the first time I ate beetroot...

cinabar said...

No no no.... don't turn to the dark side. Beetroot DOES taste of soil, and it makes everything else on the plate pink and taste of soil too.

P.S. I last tasted it when I was a small child, but I'm convinced it hasn't changed! :-D

Thinspired said...

You are so funny ;) Ok, I JUST realized that you won the Dorset award! Awesome! Congrats :)

Emily said...

Thanks for all your comments and ideas everyone. I have taken them all on board and I will be giving them a try. I especially like the idea of the tomato, balsamic and tomato salad, Rich. Thanks.
And for those of you still disliking the ruby root's earthy taste... give it one more go!

franmouse39 said...

Lovely blog, Emily! I adore beets, and have it on the menu tonight...I'm going to try Maria Elia's beetroot rissoles (main ingrediants: beet and feta) and beet/yougurt combo. They're also lovely in a salad with orange segments, watercress and pecans.

Phil Lowe said...

You know, I have never eaten beets like this. Must give them a try sometime.

Anonymous said...

I love beetroot too, and it is only in the last few years I have experimenting beyond borscht, roasted beetroot and the vacuum-packed kind. A whole world awaits you, Emily, now that you have met your love! My biggest discovery is that you can eat it raw, grated in a salad. It goes great (grate?) with grated carrots. My next biggest discovery is that it goes incredibly well with chocolate in cakes. I found out that out thanks to Riverford Farm cook book - much recommended for lovers of seasonal food. Check out my beetroot and choc version here http://tinyurl.com/kuj6mj