Things that beets remind me of:
1) Dwight Schrute on The Office. Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica..
2) Doug Funny's favorite band. You know, Killer Tofu.
3) Deliciousness.
#3 is all you really need to know for all intents and purposes of this post.
I just want to say that Athenos Summer Salad Month could not have come at a better time. At practically 100 degrees here in Boston, salads are definitely all I want to eat! OK, so this salad required me turning on my oven to 400 degrees (omg death), but it was worth it. Especially since I know just what I'm going to have for a snack today on this still sweltering afternoon.
Roasted Beet Salad with Feta and Mint:
- A bunch of beets (4-6)
- 3 T olive oil
- Sea salt
- ½ C fresh mint, chopped
- ½ C crumbled feta cheese (I used Athenos Black Peppercorn Feta)
- 2 t lemon zest
- 1 T maple syrup
This was actually my very first time preparing beets! I was kind of excited, and now I have a feeling I'll be making them quite often because they're just so delicious.
I covered the beets in olive oil (about 2 T of the 3) and sea salt and then I wrapped each of them in foil.
Then I set my oven to 400 degrees (ughhhhh) and roasted the beets for about an hour.
I let them cool for a bit. And then under cold running water, I peeled the skins off.
Call me crazy, but I love doing stuff like that. Give me some peppers to roast and peel the skin off of and I'm a happy girl. Beets were just as fun.
I chopped the beets into bite-sized pieces, and mixed them with the feta, mint, lemon zest, 1 T olive oil, and maple syrup.
Annnd perfect (and like the easiest thing ever)! I was kind of annoyed because my mint actually froze in the fridge (yes, froze! the fridge is on a medium setting, so I have no idea why it did this). So, when it thawed it was all non-fresh looking and watery. But still delicious. It happened to my basil, too. Which I was planning on making pesto with later this week. Wah wah.
You can serve this salad right away, but I liked it best after it sat in the fridge for a while- it cooled down and all the flavors melded together. Yummmm. Beets really just taste like summer to me. And they're one of the prettiest foods ever.
Next time I'll be utilizing the beet greens, too (so healthy!). But it's so hot here, that after 5 minutes out of the fridge, they looked all wilty and sad.
Do you like beets? How do you like them prepared?
[Sues]
Fun and Fearless in Beantown says
I absolutely love working with beets! I recently made beet latkes and today's blog post is about my beet green and bacon pizza. I learned this tip from Robin of Doves and Figs who told me to snip off the beet greens right away when you purchase the beets and store them the way you would with any other salad greens (like a Ziploc bag, etc.) to keep them fresh longer!
sweetersalt says
haha, love the Doug reference! I've never done beets with feta, usually goat cheese, but it sounds delish!
Erica says
I haven't prepared beets too many times! I did make beet type chips one time (a la paula dean) which were pretty sweet! Feta makes everything better though 🙂
joan says
They are a beautiful color after you roast them!
Kelly says
Dwight Schrute AND Doug references, how could beets get an cooler?!?
Jess says
Excellent pop culture references. I haven't heard a Doug Funny reference in years. I'm wondering if you could have nuked the beets instead of turning on the stove? Probably wouldn't get as sweet a beet, but it may cut down on the heat generated. I rinse my sad-looking beet greens under cold water and they seem to perk right up. Thanks for sharing this recipe!!
Maria says
I love beets, the greens too! Great salad!
Corinne says
beets. bears. battlestar gallactica! hahaha love it! beets are da bomb.com but i am too frightened of their beet juice to really prepare them so i just buy the ready to use kind from trader joes! 🙂
doug funny and patty mayonaise and skeeter! im laughing so hard right now. great reference
Shannon says
hehehe, i forgot about doug funny 🙂 LOVE roasted beets, it's usually my go-to!
Barbara says
I like beets too and yes, they are such fun to peel! I have never understood people who don't like them. They are delicious with just salt, pepper and butter.
Your salad looks fabulous. Love the feta in there.
My mother used to make a beet salad with eggs and the ever-present mayo way back when. I liked it, but my kids never did. And yet they love beets. Think I will try your recipe out on them and see what happens!
Beth @ DiningAndDishing says
Oh my gosh, I ADORE beets! With feta and mint?? What an awesome combination. I have some in my fridge at the moment actually. I'll have to try this out!
Sharlene says
YUM! I haven't tried roasted beets but I do love beets on all my salads. And I pretty much love every other ingredient in this down to the sea salt. Must make!
Sharon says
We had this salad for dinner tonight...It was unbelievably delicious. I swear, even those who think they don't like beets would go crazy for this healthy, vitamin filled delight! I've had a similar version with warm beets and melted feta...Yummy!!
Bert says
I made this salad a couple of nights ago when the temperature hit 100 degrees during the day. The cold, sweet beets with the lemon, mint and feta made this the perfect salad for a hot summer night. I used the toaster oven to roast the beets so it didn't heat up the kitchen.
Laura @MotherWouldKnow says
I just tried this salad last night, using leftover roasted beets. I made a huge bowl and we feasted on it. The flavor combination was delightful. I'm looking forward to having the rest of the salad for lunch today.