beetroot - what's the point?

[moragbellingham]

I've gone and bought some beetroot as I want to let the DC try things I hate.

What do you do with it and how do you cook it (to make it attractive and inviting for toddlers)?

make chocolate and beetroot cake...

ooh, recipe please!

That would certainly be attractive to them!

how do you cook it as a vegetable?

I thought I hated beetroot but tried it roasted the other day and it is actually nice.

Be aware that your DC will have frightening coloured poos.

I was convinced DD was haemorrhaging after she had some beetroot as an 8 month old

Beetroot is full of b vitamins and is very good for everyone. Steam it.

Spill mollyroger that sounds delicious..

Boil it or roast it wrapped in foil for aaaaggggeeessss until it is nice and soft. Cut into wedges and put in a frying pan with butter and a bit of balsamic vinegar. Even my DH will eat it (though it has to be said not with real relish)

Boil it. It takes ages - I did it in the slow cooker, but I think it,d be about forty minutes on the hob. Then you need some boiled carrots and boiled potatoes. either leftovers, or put them in with the beets towards the end of cooking. When the veg have cooled slightly, peel them, chop into 1inch cubes, and stir through lots of vegetable oil and some salt ( actually, it needs masses of salt for best taste, but I guess you'd hold back for a toddler). Make up a Toddler friendly name for the salad , leVeraging on it's unexpected pink colour.

have to go out now, will find my recipe and post it later. be aware, I ruined any healthy credentials by smothering mine with choc sauce...
I was trying to deal with a glut of home grown beetroot.

Roast it with a drizzle of balsaamic vingar, serve with feta cheese in a yorks pud. Unbeleievably yummy.

Molly - roasted with feta sounds wonderful. How do I go about roasting it? Do I do it in the skin or peel it first?

I'm hoping the DCs will find the colour interesting enough to make them try it.

I've got some feta in the fridge and have bought some yorkshiresyesteday. Am willing to try as I like the individual components.

I think will try the healthier version first - I can but try.

I made a yummy (if I say so myself!) beetroot and potato gratin the other day which ds gobbled down

here's a recipe

I par-cooked the potatoes/beetroot so that they were quite soft before putting the sauce over and putting it in the oven.

my boys love beetroot, i either roast it with red onion, peppers, squash & sausages etc and mix it with cous cous or we have the salad version in sarnies with soft cheese and salad or on the side with jacket pots and salad. you can also make a beetroot soup but have never tried it

This is the Choc Beetroot recipe I use ...yum!!

agree beetroot and chocolate cake is the true purpose of beetroot.
the brownies in River Cottage Everyday are gorgeous.

Beetroot is sooo delicious. Just give it a wash (no need to peel) top and tail it, wrap it in foil with a blob of butter and pop it in the oven for 30 mins to an hour depending on size.

It is lovely warm with salad leaves, goats cheese and a honey dressing.

treat it like spuds in a dauphinouse (sp) what doesn't taste great with garlic and cream!

When you cook it for the cake do you peel it first? And then boil or steam or microwave? Can't wait to try it!

Cut off the stalks, boil until soft and then peel ...

I'm beginning to wonder why I don't like it now.
I think I may be a convert.

I used to make Jill Dupleix's choc cake all the time but have lost her recipe (esp since the Times started charging for online use!)

This one doesn't seem that similar ingredients-wise but I'll give anything by her a go.

Buy a jar of beetroot in vinegar.

Sit there on the sofa and eat the lot with your fingers, and end up looking like vampire/Lady Macbeth.

Pickled beetroot was my pregnanyc craving, I loved it.

Morag - just checked - it isn't the one that was published in the Times .. do you want a copy ??

75g cocoa powder/powdered drinking choc
180g plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
250g caster sugar
250g cooked beetroot
3 large eggs
200ml corn oil
1tsp vaniolla extract
icing sugar for dusting

180 degree oven
Lightly grease a 20cm round/square cake tin
Sift cocoa powder,flour and baking powder into a bowl
Mix in the sugar and set dry ingredients aside
Puree beetroot in blender/food processor.
Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla, then oil and whizz until smooth
Make well in centre of dry ingredients add beetroot mixture and mix all lightly
bake for 50-60 mins until an inserted skewer comes out clean (cover with a loose sheet of foil if it starts to brown at about 30 mins)
Cake will not rise a great deal and top will crack.
Once removed from oven, leave to cool in pan for 15 mins, remove and cool on a wire rack
Dust with icing sugar before serving

I quite like it raw. Peel and grate into salad, or in plain yoghurt as a raitha

juice it with apple and carot

Cheese and beetroot sandwiches. That's the point. Sheesh.