Summer Beets With Mint Recipes

MINTED BEET SALAD

Steps:

• Scrub beets; trim tops to 1 in. Place in a single layer in a large microwave-safe dish. Drizzle with water. Microwave, covered, on high until easily pierced with a fork, turning once, 14-15 minutes; let stand 5 minutes., When cool enough to handle, peel and cut beets into 3/4-in. pieces. In a bowl, whisk vinegar, oil, salt and pepper until blended. Add olives, beets and 1 tablespoon mint; toss to coat. Refrigerate, covered, until cold, at least 1 hour. Top with remaining 1 tablespoon mint.

BEET CARPACCIO WITH MINT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Fill a pot with 3 inches of water, insert a steamer basket, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium or medium-low and place beets inside the steamer basket. Cover pot. Cook until beets are easily pierced with a knife, checking water level periodically, 35 to 50 minutes. Remove from heat and cool, about 30 minutes.
• Peel the beets; if you are using red and golden beets, peel the golden ones first so you don't end up turning them pink. Remove any remaining root stems. Thinly slice beets and arrange on a serving platter. I use a round plate and start in the center, alternating red and golden beet slices. Dot the top with goat cheese - you want to be able to see the beets but have enough cheese because it pairs so well with the beet. Sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper.
• Combine rice vinegar, olive oil, mint, and sugar in a small bowl. Drizzle over beets.

ROASTED BEETS WITH CUMIN AND MINT

Steps:

• Stir together lemon juice, cumin seeds, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Stir in oil and let stand while roasting beets.
• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 425°F.
• Tightly wrap beets in a double layer of foil and roast on a baking sheet until tender, 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Cool to warm in foil package, about 20 minutes.
• When beets are cool enough to handle, peel them, discarding stems and root ends, then cut into 1/2-inch-wide wedges.
• Toss warm beets with dressing. Stir in mint just before serving.

ROASTED BEETS WITH MINT-YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, toss beets with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Cover dish tightly with foil and roast until tender when pierced with a knife, 45 to 60 minutes, depending on size. When cool enough to handle, rub beets with a paper towel to remove skins.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together yogurt, mint, cumin, and lemon juice; season with salt and pepper. Spoon yogurt sauce over beets and serve.

BEETS WITH CITRUS-MINT DRESSING

Steps:

• Place golden beets in a medium saucepan, and baby beets in a small saucepan; add water to cover beets by 2 inches. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low; simmer until beets are tender, 40 to 45 minutes for golden beets and 15 to 20 minutes for baby beets. Drain beets, and let stand until cool enough to handle.
• Peel beets. Cut the golden beets crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices, and cut baby beets in half lengthwise. Arrange beets on a serving platter.
• Whisk together the orange juice, lemon juice, and oil in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper, and stir in the mint. Drizzle beets with the citrus-mint dressing, and garnish with mint sprigs.

SUMMER BEETS WITH MINT

Steps:

• Cook onion in butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Add beets, water, and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper and simmer, covered, until beets are tender, about 20 minutes. Uncover and cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid has evaporated, 2 to 5 minutes. Cool slightly, then toss with mint and salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm or at room temperature.

BEETS WITH CREAMY BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE AND MINT

Steps:

• Wrap the garlic cloves together in a piece of parchment paper; wrap each beet separately in parchment. Place the garlic and beets in a microwave-safe dish and cook for 3 minutes. Remove the garlic and set aside, still wrapped. Continue to cook the beets in intervals of 2 minutes, until they can be easily pierced with a knife, 8 to 10 minutes. Let sit wrapped in parchment to complete the cooking process and until cool enough to handle, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the yogurt, broth, vinegar, oil and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Peel the garlic cloves, mash completely and whisk into the vinaigrette. Season with salt and pepper. (Alternatively, make the vinaigrette with the microwave-roasted garlic up to a few hours in advance to allow the flavors to blend. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.)
• Peel the beets using a paring knife and cut into wedges or slices. Arrange on a platter, drizzle with the vinaigrette and sprinkle with the mint and pistachios. Serve immediately, while still warm.

MARITIMER'S MINT CHOCOLATE BEET CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (~176 degrees C).
• Blend the sugar, eggs, and oil in a bowl.
• Mix in the pureed beets. The original recipe called for draining the pureed beets. I think my oven might be hotter than it thinks it is, so I just leave the beet juice in, and it works out OK.
• Fold in the dry ingredients.
• Add the vanilla and peppermint flavors last.
• Pour into a 9x9 inch pan (or 9 inch round plus a couple of cupcakes). (9in =~ 229cm).
• Bake for 45 minutes or until a bamboo skewer comes out clean.
• Let cool in the pan until almost room temperature.
• This is a very moist cake, and it will fall apart if you rush this step.
• Sprinkle with powdered sugar or ice with real homemade frosting, such as "Silky Vanilla Butter Frosting" (recipe #23715).
• Didn't know it freezes well; thanks for the tip, BrutalKiss!