Eat With Me : Marinated Beets
What are beets?
Beets are considered a root vegetable, similar to the turnip, and is properly termed 'beetroot’. Beet juice is rich in betalain which provides the red or purple coloring. It’s said that this juice was used in the 19th century as make-up to stain the cheeks and lips giving way to the old adage ‘red as a beet’.
What is the qualitative nature of a beet?
Beets when taken cooked are, in taste, sweet and bitter. The less cooked they are the more astringent they become. The astringent taste can be described as the feeling on your tongue when you bite into a raw potato - all of the moisture is removed immediately. The qualities of cooked beets are cool and heavy/grounding which makes them great for anti-inflammation, detoxification, and deep nourishment.
What benefits do beets have when ingested?
Beets are filled with iron, fiber, folate, potassium, and vitamin C. When cooked and seasoned well, they are an easily digestible food that leaves the body feeling satiated due to their sweet taste. Beets can serve as a mild and gentle laxative to support regular elimination and supports the detoxification organs of the body (liver cleansing) by improving the metabolization of toxins. Beets are known to reduce inflammation in the body due to the cooling taste making them great for skin complexion. They also fall into the category of alteratives, which restores blood chemistry balance, and blood tonics which increases blood cell quality and quantity. Lastly, beets encourage feelings of relaxation and grounding making them a good food choice for evening meals.
Marinated Beet Recipe :
3 small beets
2 tablespoons dijon mustard
1 1/2 teaspoon coconut sugar
1 teaspoon flaky sea salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1. Prepare the beets (no need to peel) and place in a pot of boiling water to cook for 30-40 minutes or until the beet can be pierced with a fork
2. While the beets are cooking prepare the marinade by mixing the vinegar, sugar, salt, and mustard together first and mix.
3. Once thoroughly mixed, add the remainder of ingredients.
4. Once beets have finished cooking, drain and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
5. Cut the beets into small quarters.
6. Place the beets into a container and pour marinade over top coating each beet well. Allow to sit and absorb if possible. Can be kept in the fridge overnight.