I think I have accomplished the impossible! In attempt to get back on track with healthier eating we are trying some new things. My sister gave me a subscription to Everyday Foods a year ago and while I have tried some of the recipes, I have never tried their week-long meal plan. Yesterday we took the shopping list from the magazine and bought the ingredients for all five meals. Last night was Seared Cod with roasted beets and broccoli. Much to my surprise, not only was it well recieved, we were wishing for more. Other than using beets in borscht (soup), I have never served them. While they are not something we would want to eat every night, the kids didn't have a single complaint about eating them!
This morning I pushed the beet even further, I added the greens to our smoothies! Spinach, carrots, beet greens (including stems), peaches, strawberries, blackberries, a tad bit of greek yogurt and orange juice made up our breakfast in a glass. The reading I did compared beet greens to swiss chard, which has a very bitter taste, so I really thought I was ruining our smoothie. Much to my great surprise (again), the smoothie was one of the best ever! The kids loved it, as did I!!
January is a time for seed catalogs and beginning preparation for the spring garden. If the weather cooperates and I get my act together, I plan to get some beets planted in our own garden in February. On tonight's menu...brussell sprouts. Another vegetable that I have never even tried let alone prepared!
OH...can I also suggest...roasting beet greens? I had them last year. I HATE beets. Seriously. And when beet greens are included in salads, I can taste them. Not my favorite but I can deal with them better. I went to Cooks of Crocus Hill and the chef roasted them. He explained that by roasting them it does something weird to release the sugars and it takes away the beet taste.
BTW...LOVE Everyday Food. Been using it for almost 2 years.
Posted by: Carolyn | 01/04/2011 at 12:17 PM