🤤 What Makes Beets So Great
Before we get into the “how to cook beets” part of the post, can we just take a second to talk about how great beets are? I feel like they’re generally unappreciated (or at least under-appreciated) for the most part, when there’s actually a lot to love about them!
Beets contain an impressive number of important vitamins and minerals that your body needs. A 3.5-ounce serving of beets is low calorie, super low fat, rich in fiber, decently low carb, and contains roughly 20% of your daily value of folate, 14% of your daily value of manganese, 7% of potassium, and 4% each of vitamin C, vitamin B6, and iron. They’re also a good source of copper, which is important for energy production. Some studies have shown that beets can lower your blood pressure, and it’s no secret that high blood pressure can lead to a host of issues. Of course, they’re not a miracle food. If high blood pressure is something you struggle with, please consult with a medical professional! The health benefits don’t stop there. There are also studies that indicate beets can reduce inflammation, promote brain function and memory support, aid in digestion, improve oxygen use, and increase energy levels and endurance.
🥗 Ways to Enjoy Beets
Beets (or maybe you know them as beetroots) are surprisingly versatile. You can use them in a variety of ways!
đź›’ How to Choose Fresh Beets
Knowing how to cook beets is only half the battle. You also want to be sure you know how to spot the best beets at the grocery store or farmers’ market! They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, but these general guidelines apply to all of them.Be sure to look for…
👩🏼‍🍳 Chef’s Tips
Beets are typically available year round, but they’re at their best in the fall and winter. Once you get your beets home, cut off the leaves and stems so they don’t pull moisture out of the beets. You can discard them or use them in another recipe. Store the unwashed beets in a produce bag or sealable bag in the fridge, ideally in the vegetable drawer. They’ll keep 2-3 weeks that way! When you’re ready to cook the beats (and you’ve decided how to cook them!) give them a gentle scrub under running water to remove as much surface dirt as possible. Whether or not you peel the beets is up to you. In my opinion, it’s not entirely necessary, since cooking the beets makes the skin soft enough to eat. That being said, the skin can taste kind of bitter, so keep that in mind. If you want to remove the skins, peel the beets before you roast them – it’s just easier that way. For boiled beets, steamed beats, or microwaved beats, you can cook them first. The skin will come off easily if you just rub them with a paper towel after cooking them. Beets are beautifully vibrant. That beautiful color can be really messy, though. Consider wearing gloves while working with beets, especially if you’re using red ones. That juice can (and will) stain anything it touches – your skin, your clothes, possibly even your bowls and cutting board.
🧠Other Must-Know How To’s and Cooking Basics
How to Roast Garlic How Much Juice is in One Lime? All About Lemon Zest + 4 Ways to Zest a Lemon How to Cook Nopales (Cactus Paddles) Can You Freeze Cabbage? How to Cut Watermelon The Easiest Way to Dice an Onion How To Boil Corn on the Cob Three Ways to Freeze Zucchini How to Cook Turkey Bacon in the Oven Orange Zest – How to Make It and Ways to Use It
