Beets. Ick. They’re the yucky vegetable my mom loved and us kids hated. I vividly remember being told to sit at the table until those nasty red pickled beets were gone…oh the many ways I hid them to get up from that table.
Now it’s 50 years later and I’m still not a huge fan, but on occasion I’ll have a salad with beets and I’ll actually eat them rather than put them inside my mouth, shoved back in my cheeks, waiting for a place to secretly get rid of them!
Luckily, many people don’t have the same beet aversion I have and I’m thinking of trying some beet aversion therapy – you know, eating great recipes made with them. I’m sure we can turn my eating habits around because beets are actually really good for you!
Recipes for Beets
Maria Zoitas, creator of the“Maria’s Homemade” line of prepared food which is sold exclusively at Westside Market NYC, created this easy beet salad recipe for me to try. It can be served as a summer lunch side with a sandwich or with some great BBQ chicken or steak. It’s easy to make and includes a lot of fresh ingredients and is dressed with simple ingredients you likely have in your kitchen.
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper
- 1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 2, 8-ounce packages steamed and peeled beets, cut into large pieces
- Chopped basil
- Whisk together olive oil, honey, mustard, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, and pepper in bowl.
- Add onions and beets and marinate 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Garnish with basil before serving.
Beet Salad Aversion Therapy
Have I tried it yet? No. Baby steps….baby steps. First I have to remind myself that beets are good…they work to lower cholesterol levels, they have anti-aging effects (I could certainly use that! Maybe I should put them on my crows-feet!), help prevent strokes, and more. Yea, I think it’ll be awhile…those are some deep memories that were seared into my brain all those years ago….don’t even talk to me about lima beans.
But for you normal people, give Maria’s Beet Salad a try and let me know how you like it.
I actually crave beets, plain or pickled or salad. Yum yum
I will agree that beets are an acquired taste for sure. My grand-mother used to eat them at least once a week and would always tell me the benefits of them as I politely said No Way! But when she make pickled beets and put them on the side of a salad, I tried them and have loved them since. This recipe looks great to me!
I think I need aversion therapy too, I love the canned kind of beets but I’m not so sure about beet salad.
I should really try to eat beets more often. I tend to have high cholesterol levels.
Aversion Therapy – LOL! I used to have a problem with beets – until I tried pickled beets. That cured me – and your recipe sounds great, similar. Gonna give it a whirl – I love beets now. Thanks for recipe!
Nope…pickled beets are nasty 🙂
imlike you, ive never been a fan of beets! i guess i’ll have to try the Aversion Therapy!haha!
Let me know if it works for you….I’m still in the ick mode. 🙂
This sounds interesting to try. I loved beets as a kid but have not had them in so many years. Would like to give this recipe a try.
I think beets are like brussels sprouts in that you have to grow up to like them. I hated them both as a kid and now they’re two of my favorite foods! I like your recipe, especially the addition of dijon.
I didn’t know beets helped cholesterol levels.. may have to give them a try..