Beetroot in the veg box - what do I do with it?

[AlCrowley]

We're on our 3rd week of getting a veg box now. DD is 6 months old and I wanted to be able to give her fresh, seasonal, organic veg so we now get a weekly box. DS is 3 and a very good eater so he'll benefit too.

But I'm not very adventurous with my vegetables (another reason to get a box, it forces me to try new things and share them with the children) so I always knew that sooner or later there'd be something in there that I didn't have a clue how to use - and it's arrived - Beetroot!

I like beetroot but I've only had it pickled or in a bagged salad, never in it's raw form.

I've got two large apple sized beets - can anyone suggest something to do with them?

I have a recipe somewhere for beetroot risotto. I can find it if you like?

Cut into large chunks

Put in an oven dish with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper and cloves of garlic

Cover with foil and bake (about 40mins or so, maybe longer - check to see if it's cooked enough for your liking)

Lovely

Always up for a nice Risotto Thanks Summery

What would you serve the roasted beetroot with notnowbernard?

I'm thinking beetroot might be a bed one to cut into fingers for BLW?

It's really simple

1 large onion, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, finely copped
olive oil
3 cooked beetroots
1 pack risotto rice
1 pint of chicken or veg stock
salt and pepper

Fry the onion and garlic in the olive oil for 2-3 minutes
cut the cooked beetroot into small cubes and add
Add the rice and cook for 1 minute
Add the stock a cupful at a time
Serve topped with parmesan and paprika

Thanks summery.

I've got 2 beetroots. About the size of a large apple each. Do you think that would be OK?

How do I cook them? Boil? For how long?

Apologies for being so useless.

However you cook them remember that beetroot can turn your wee red, I took a very worried MIL to hospital once convinced she was dying, turns out she forgot she had eaten beetroot a couple of days before!

Roast them and make a sald with feta cheese and a nice vinagrette. The saltiness of the feta is good with the rather bland earthy taste of beetroot. And the cheese goesa nice pink colour.

Peel thickly, cut into pieces, warning: will be v messy!! Chop and boil with some stock, lovely beetroot soup, or 'borsht' (russian)

Chocolate Beetroot Cake!!!

Ps can add onion and potato for thicker soup

I love Keith's lovely beetroot penne, and you have reminded me that I was expecting beetroot in my box today. It didn't come though - they must have substituted something else last minute. Ho hum.

I also love it raw and grated or use a ribbon cutter to make long strands of spagetti type . like this

It makes a lovely coleslaw: grate raw beetroot and apple then add either mayo or a light oil dressing. You can add grated onion and a crushed garlic clove to give it a bit of punch too.

Oh yes, choc beetroot cake is good too. Yum. Or beetroot muffins.

Compost heap?

Yes 2 beetroot would be fine for the risotto.

Boil them for about 30-40 mins or roast them as others have suggested

nooooo not compost heap - send it to me - I lurve fresh beetroot. SO much better than nasty vinegary stuff in bottles.

If you roast them in their skins (try not to pierce them or the juices will leak out and stain whatever they touch), once they have cooled a bit you can take the skins off, chop them, and put them in a salad with cooked lentils and feta cheese. Delicious.

I love Mumsnet. This morning I was worried about what I was going to do with 2 beetroot. Now I'm wising they sent more!!

I want to try the Beetroot Chocolate cake and the coleslaw and the feta salad and the penne, as well as the risotto and roasting!!

I'm not usually a soup person but even the borsht sounds nice!

I promise not to put them in the composting bin

Will remember about the wee. That would be a very embarrassing trip to A&E otherwise

Beetroot risotto recipe here. Baked in the oven so no stirring and watching.

Beetroot houmous is very nice too

Um, it's not just a 'wee issue'. Watch out for some interesting nappies with the DCs too

You could also make beetroot crisps. Delicious.

Anothr vote for the Chocolate cake - it is delicious.

If you put them in foil to bake them, just like potatoes, then you won't have juice escaping

I grate them with an equal amount of carrot.(raw)
Add orange segments and maybe a splash of juice.
Trow in some chopped fresh corriander if you have any.
Black pepper.
Balsamic.

If you try not to stir the veg together too much the colours are wonderful!

not a recipe idea, but beetroot was one of the first foods DS tried at 6 months old - he's now nearly 9 months, and cries when he finishes a beetroot. He has one almost every day in his lunch! (I buy the vacuum packed ones from the supermarket, admittedly, but he has had some home cooked ones before, and yummed them up!)