Raw Beets With Creamy Dill Recipes

FRESH DILLED BEETS

Steps:

• Place the beets into a large pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the beets are tender when pierced with a fork, 20 to 30 minutes. Drain and allow to steam dry until cool enough to handle. While the beets are boiling, whisk together the vinegar and sugar until the sugar has dissolved; set aside.
• Once cool enough to handle, remove the skins from the beets and cut the tops off. Cut the beets into cubes or wedges, and add to the vinegar mixture. Season with the dill, clove, and allspice; toss until coated. Cover the bowl, and refrigerate the beets overnight before serving.

RAW BEETS WITH CREAMY DILL

Steps:

• Peel and grate 1 pound beets.
• Make a dressing with 1 minced shallot, 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, 1/4 cup sour cream, lemon juice to taste and chopped dill.
• Garnish: Dill.

HASSELBACK BEETS WITH DILL YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Trim, peel and halve 2 1/2 pounds medium beets; slice as directed (see left). Place the beets in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and drizzle with 3/4 cup olive oil; season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Add cup water and cover with foil. Roast at 425 degrees F, 40 minutes. Uncover and continue roasting, spreading the slices apart and basting with the pan juices halfway through, until the beets are tender, 30 to 40 more minutes. Let cool slightly. Mix 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt with 2 tablespoons each chopped dill and lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Drizzle over the beets and top with crushed pink peppercorns and more dill.
• Cut a thin sliver from one side of the vegetable so it can sit flat. (If you¿re starting with halved veggies, like the beets at right, skip this step.)
• Position the vegetable cut-side down between the handles of two wooden spoons.
• Using a sharp knife, make crosswise cuts (1/8 to 1/4 inch apart), stopping when the knife hits the handles so you don't cut all the way through the vegetable.

CREAMY BEET WITH DILL SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large, deep saute pan until shimmering.
• Add beets, then onion; saute, stirring very little at first, then more frequently, until squash start to turn golden brown, 7 to 8 minutes.
• Reduce heat to low and add butter, sugar and garlic; continue cooking until all vegetables are a rich spotty caramel color, about 10 minutes longer.
• Add caraway seeds and cayenne pepper; continue to saute until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute longer.
• Add broth; bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, partially covered, until beets are tender, about 10 minutes.
• Using an immersion blender or traditional blender, puree (adding fresh dill) until very smooth, 30 seconds to 1 minute. (If using a traditional blender, vent it either by removing the lid's pop-out center or by lifting one edge of the lid. Drape the blender canister with a kitchen towel. To 'clean' the canister, pour in a little half-and-half, blend briefly, then add to the soup.)
• Return to pan (or a soup pot); add enough half-and-half so the mixture is souplike, yet thick enough to float garnish. Taste, and add salt and pepper if needed. Heat through, ladle into bowls, garnish and serve.

ROASTED BEETS WITH DILL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Place beets in small roasting pan with 1/4 cup water. Cover pan tightly with foil. Bake until beets are tender when pierced with knife, about 1 hour. Cool slightly. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.) Peel beets. Cut into 1-inch pieces.
• Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Stir in dill and lemon juice. Add beets and toss until heated through, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl; serve.

WARM BABY BEETS AND HERRING WITH MUSTARD-DILL SAUCE

Steps:

• Whisk mustard, vinegar and sugar in medium bowl to blend. Mix in chopped dill. Gradually whisk in oil, then cream. Season sauce with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to room temperature before using.)
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Wrap beets in foil. Bake until tender, about 1 hour. Cool to room temperature in foil. Peel beets and halve lengthwise.
• Pour some of sauce into center of each of 4 plates. Arrange roasted beets and herring around sauce. Garnish with fresh dill sprigs. Serve, passing remaining sauce separately.