How to: prepare red beets

Red beets are an odd vegetable. Never quite sure what to do with them. So when my grandparents gave me fresh red beets from their garden, I had to do a little research. Below are a few different recipes and ways to prepare beets. Be sure to wear gloves and an apron or you will have red hands and clothes! :)

Grilled Beets
Ingredients
6 beets, scrubbed

2 tablespoons butter

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat.

Coat one side of a large piece of aluminum foil with cooking spray. Place beets and butter on foil; season with salt and pepper. Wrap foil over beets.

Place packet on the grill grate. Cook 30 minutes, or until beets are very tender. Allow beets to cool about 5 minutes before serving.

Microwave Beets
Peel beets and slice into 1/4-1/2 inch slices. Add beets and 2 Tbsp. water to a microwave-safe dish. Microwave for 10 minutes until fork-tender.

Baked Beets
Ingredients
3 medium beets

1 tablespoon olive oil

Salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Heat the oven to 375°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Rinse the beets and trim off any leafy tops. Wrap completely in aluminum foil and place in the oven. Roast until tender and easily pierced with a knife, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Remove from the oven and let cool.

When the beets are cool enough to handle, peel using a paring knife or by pushing the skin with your fingers. Slice the beets, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Oven-Baked Beet Chips
Ingredients
2 large red beets
Kosher salt
1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil.

Peel the beets and cut as thinly as possible – trying for a uniform thickness. Toss in a bowl with olive oil and salt. Spread on baking sheet in a single layer.

Bake in oven 20 minutes. Turn all slices over and continue to bake another 20-25 minutes. Watch closely toward the end as the high sugar content makes these chips burn rather rapidly. Sprinkle with additional salt and serve immediately.