Think beetroot is just for crowning a burger-with-the-lot? Think again.
This vibrantly delicious vegetable is even more versatile than you can imagine; from soups to salads, tarts to burgers, even in chocolate cake, cooking with beetroot will open up your dishes to a beautiful new depth of flavour.
Kitchen tips: How to cook whole beetroots
Prepare
Prepare fresh beetroot by scrubbing the outside (rather than peeling it). Trim any foliage, but do not cut into the beet itself as this will cause bleeding when it cooks. Don’t trim the beard at the base of the plant, and leave at least 2cm length of stem on the vegetable to stop it from bleeding.
Boil your beets
To boil beetroot, add whole beets to boiling water and cook for about 45 minutes, depending on their size. A skewer should slide through the thickest part easily to indicate it is cooked. Cool for 10 minutes, then peel with a vegetable peeler or, simply split and squeeze the skin with gloved hands, the skin should slip off easily.
Try it roasted
To roast whole beetroot, wrap in foil and roast at 180°C (160°C fan-forced) for about 45 minutes, depending on how large they are. Or chop coarsely, toss in olive oil and fresh thyme leaves and roast at 200°C (180°C fan-forced) for about 30 minutes or until tender.
Saute the leaves
Beetroot leaves are edible. Many chefs include beetroot leaf recipes in their cookbooks and most recommend eating the more tender young leaves, as the older leaves taste bitter. They can be served raw in salads dressed with balsamic vinegar; partially cooked by being tossed with just-drained hot pasta; or braised with butter or olive oil in a covered frying pan. If you intend to eat the leaves, separate them from the bulbs and store them, wrapped, in the refrigerator for no more than two or three days.
Microwave it
To microwave, peel and chop beetroot and microwave according to the manufacturer’s instructions (about 20-30 minutes).
01
Slow-cooker borscht
Borscht is a beetroot soup of Ukrainian origin that is popular in many Central and Eastern European cuisines.
02
Beetroot, ricotta, & hazelnut tart with sweet potato base
Turn an alfresco lunch into a lavish occasion with this savoury rustic tart.
03
Roasted beetroot and millet salad
This nourishing roasted beetroot and millet salad is the perfect balance of flavour and texture. Full of wholesome ingredients, this is one tasty dish you can feel good about eating!
04
Caramelised onion and beetroot relish
Caramelised onion and beetroot relish
Keep a jar in the fridge and add it to all your favourite foods.
05
Beetroot and lamb flatbreads with tahini yoghurt
Beetroot and lamb flatbreads with tahini yoghurt
Spice up your lunch with this Turkish style pizza, with chunks of beetroot, cherry tomatoes, and tahini yoghurt spooned on top. This recipe is suitable for diabetics.
06
Beetroot, asparagus and feta salad
Beetroot, asparagus and feta salad
This simple vegetable dish only utilises a couple ingredients, but the fresh mint, sweet beetroot and salty fetta make this a sophisticated side to fish, pork or poultry.
07
Pickled baby beetroot
Pickled baby beetroot
Make your own pickled beetroot at home and enjoy this sweet and sour condiment on meat platters, in chunky sandwiches, or stirred through salads whenever you like! Making pickles is a journey. Next stop – pickled chillis!.
08
Roasted beetroot and onion tart with creme fraiche
Roasted beetroot and onion tart with creme fraiche
Whether it’s a special birthday, family event or simply a mid-winter catch-up, sometimes we just need an excuse for a dinner party. So break out the silverware… this menu is sure to please.
09
Beetroot, feta and walnut tarts
Beetroot, feta and walnut tarts
The combination of beetroot, creamy feta and crunchy walnuts work perfectly together in these delicious pastry tarts – perfect for a tasty snack, a quick lunch or a light dinner.
10
Caramelised beetroot, rocket and feta salad
Caramelised beetroot, rocket and feta salad
11
Roast beetroot, garlic and chia seed tart
Roast beetroot, garlic and chia seed tart
12
Beetroot and yoghurt dip
Beetroot and yoghurt dip
Beetroot might be a love it or hate it kind of vegetable, but this creamy beetroot and yoghurt dip is sure to appeal to all. A great addition to a party table.
13
Chocolate beetroot muffins
Chocolate beetroot muffins
14
Salad of roasted beetroot with goat’s cheese and walnuts
Salad of roasted beetroot with goat’s cheese and walnuts
This richly coloured salad is full of anti-oxidants, calcium and good fats. It is also absolutely delicious, which makes it just about perfect for a light lunch or side dish.
15
Beetroot and heirloom carrot salad with persian fetta
Beetroot and heirloom carrot salad with persian fetta
Colourful heirloom carrots, in hues of purple, taste the same as their orange cousins, and were in fact the norm until the Dutch developed the modern-day orange version in the 17th century. They taste and look fantastic in this stunning salad.
16
Beetroot risotto with rocket
Beetroot risotto with rocket
17
Beetroot and goat’s cheese wholemeal pizzas
These mouth-watering beetroot and goat’s cheese pizzas are made with a delicious buckwheat wholemeal dough.
18
Beetroot and zucchini pakoras with mint yoghurt
Beetroot and zucchini pakoras with mint yoghurt
Packed with vegetables and spices, these colourful pakoras make excellent finger food.
19
Beetroot & carrot salad with goat’s cheese twists
Delicious and colourful beetroot and carrot salad with goat’s cheese twists
20
Chocolate and beetroot mud cake with caramelised baby beets
Chocolate and beetroot mud cake with caramelised baby beets
Give your chocolate mud cake an earthy edge with the use of this not-so-secret ingredient.
21
Beet and black bean burger
Beet and black bean burger
The ultimate vegetarian burgers with sweet potato curly fries.
22
Roasted vegetable salad with garlic mustard dressing
Roasted vegetable salad with garlic mustard dressing
This hearty salad is packed full of roasted vegetables and balanced perfectly with a spicy mustard sauce.
23
Julie Goodwin’s roast beetroot and goat’s cheese terrine
Julie Goodwin’s roast beetroot and goat’s cheese terrine
This terrine by Julie Goodwin uses the classic flavour combination of roasted beetroot and goat’s cheese to create a tasty and attractive vegetarian centrepiece.
24
Beetroot chutney
This natural sweetness of this beetroot chutney is leavened with spices and cut with vinegar and lemon juice. We used Granny Smith apples in this recipe and they’re the best variety to use by far.
25
26
Roasted beetroot and millet salad
Roasted beetroot and millet salad
27
Roast beetroot, garlic and chia seed tart
Roast beetroot, garlic and chia seed tart
28
Beetroot and lentil burgers
Beetroot and lentil burgers
29
Beetroot chocolate pudding
Beetroot chocolate pudding
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