Steamed Beets With Tarragon Recipes

STEAM/SAUTEED GREEN BEANS WITH BUTTER AND TARRAGON

Steps:

• Bring the water, butter, salt and green beans to a boil in a Dutch oven or large deep skillet. Cover and steam over medium-high heat until the vegetable is brightly colored and just tender, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Remove the lid and continue to cook until the liquid evaporates, 1 to 2 minutes longer, adding the tarragon at this point. Saute to intensify flavors, 1 to 2 minutes longer. Adjust seasonings, including pepper to taste, and serve.

STEAMED BEETS WITH TARRAGON

Steps:

• Peel beets and halve lengthwise.
• Slice beets crosswise 1/8 inch thick and steam on a rack set over boiling water, covered, until tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Toss with remaining ingredients and salt and pepper to taste until butter is melted.

BEETS WITH MUSTARD AND TARRAGON

Steps:

• **Wear rubber gloves when handling beets! Trim beet greens and wash well. Place in 2 1/2 qt saucepan and cover with water. Bring to boil, reduce heat and cook 25-40 minutes (depending on size) until tender. Drain and let cool until you can handle them. Peel beets and cut into slices or wedges. (You can probably use canned beets - just skip this step).
• Stir together mustard, vinegar, oil, and tarragon. Pour over beets. Season with salt and pepper. Toss and serve hot or at room temperature.

EASY, TASTY BEETS

Steps:

• Shred beets in a food processor.
• Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir shredded beets in hot butter until slightly softened, about 5 minutes.
• Pour water over the beets, cover skillet with a lid, and simmer beets until completely softened, about 10 minutes. Stir balsamic vinegar with the beets; season with salt and pepper.

BEET SOUP WITH TARRAGON, CHIVES AND YOGURT

Steps:

• Put olive oil in a heavy-bottomed soup pot or deep, wide skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cook slowly, stirring, until softened, about 10 minutes.
• Add beets and season generously with salt and pepper. Add a pinch of cayenne and pour in vinegar. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, then add water and raise heat to a brisk simmer. Taste broth and adjust. Cook for another 10 minutes, until beets are completely soft.
• Purée in a blender, in batches if necessary, and strain through a fine-mesh sieve. (Consistency should be like heavy cream, no thicker - thin with water or broth as necessary). Return puréed soup to pot and reheat. In a small bowl, combine yogurt with tarragon and chives. Add a good pinch of salt and beat with a fork to loosen yogurt.
• Taste soup, and adjust for salt and vinegar. Ladle into individual bowls. Swirl a large (2 to 3 tablespoons) spoonful of herbed yogurt across the surface of the soup.

STEAMED OR ROASTED BEETS AND BEET GREENS WITH TAHINI SAUCE

Steps:

• Cut greens away from beets, leaving about 1/4 inch of stems. Scrub beets with vegetable brush. To steam beets, place in a steamer above 2 inches water. Bring to a boil over high heat and cover. Turn down heat to medium. Steam small and medium beets for 30 minutes and large beets for 40 minutes, until you can pierce the beet to the middle with a knife or skewer. Remove from heat and allow to cool. To roast, preheat oven to 425ºF and place beets in a baking dish (or lidded ovenproof casserole). Add 1/4 inch water to the dish. Cover tightly. Place in the oven and roast small beets (3 ounces or less) for 30 to 40 minutes, medium beets (4 to 6 ounces) 40 to 45 minutes, and large beets (8 ounces) 50 to 60 minutes, until they are easily penetrated with the tip of a knife. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the covered baking dish.
• When beets have cooled, cut away ends and slip off skins. Slice in rounds or cut into wedges or half-moons.
• Blanch greens in salted boiling water for about 1 minute, just until they wilt. Transfer to a bowl of cold water, then drain and squeeze out excess moisture, taking up the greens by the handful. Alternatively, steam for 2 minutes, using tongs to flip the greens over top to bottom halfway through, for 2 minutes, or until wilted. Rinse with cold water, squeeze out excess water and chop coarsely.
• To make sauce, purée garlic cloves with a generous pinch of salt in a mortar and pestle, or put through a garlic press. Transfer to a bowl or measuring cup and whisk in sesame tahini. Whisk in lemon juice, beginning with smaller amount. The mix will stiffen up. Gradually whisk in up to 1/4 cup water, until sauce has consistency of thick cream or runny yogurt. Taste and adjust salt and lemon juice.
• Line a platter with the beet greens and arrange beets on top and around greens. Drizzle on tahini sauce, sprinkle with parsley and serve.

ROASTED BEETS WITH TARRAGON

Steps:

• Roast, peel, and dice beets, then toss them with extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and coarse salt. Serve in endive leaves, garnished with fresh tarragon.