Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Lemon Roasted Beets with Feta

Beets. I know. You don't like them. Neither did I for many many years. But I'm going to have to ask you to trust me on this. These are different. I promise.

I hated beets for years. I just couldn't get into them. It wasn't until I was in Guatemala and had beets that were freshly picked from a garden and prepared perfectly until I started to see the light. Since then, I've been in love.

This recipe is the perfect one to try if you think you don't like beets. I made a batch of these and took them into work. A few "beet haters" tried them and couldn't believe they actually liked them. I think it's because they are so fresh tasting and have a great flavor and texture to them.

So go ahead. Give them a try. I promise this time will be different.

Lemon Roasted Beets with Thyme and Feta II

Lemon Roasted Beets with Feta
Serves 4

3 large beets
4 cloves garlic
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp fresh thyme
1/4 c feta cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Peel beets, cut in half, and slice into 1/4" thick slices. Place in large baking dish with garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Tightly cover dish with foil, place into oven, and bake for 35-40 minutes, until beets are fork tender. Remove from oven, place on serving platter, and top with fresh thyme and feta. Serve and enjoy!

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

I must admit I was one of those "at work" individuals. Although I didn't hate them before, I must admit I can't say I ever had an overwhelming desire to make them. These may have just changed my mind. Give these a try. . . you won't be disappointed!

kickpleat said...

i love beets and last week i ate a whole bunch of 'em. this looks like a great recipe. i love the addition of feta!

test it comm said...

Sweet roasted beats would go really well with lemon and feta!

funwithyourfood said...

I was scared of beets for a long time.. then one day i just went for and and LIKED them (which i was not expecting). I wish I could get people to get over the stigma tho!

this recipe will help those NON believers

Teddy

Anonymous said...

The picture alone is magnificent...

amycaseycooks said...

I am one of the few who will admit that I love beets. They were a frequent dish at our Christmas feast when I was growing up - but the kind out of the can. Roasting is so much better.

Ri said...

I lovelovelovelove beets!!!
I'm looking forward to trying this recipe, thanks! :)

Brilynn said...

I actually really like beets, especially roasted. I tried to get my little cousins to eat them by telling them that's what sugar was made of, but they didn't believe me.

Anonymous said...

so, they are in the oven now, i cant wait to try the final product. ive never made beets with feta, which is surprising bc it goes so well in a 'greek' salad. now, if they only didnt stain the hands so much!

Karen said...

This was SO good. Got the thumbs up from my 3 year old as well. I was pleased to note that squeezing the lemons helped wash off some of the beet stains from my hands!

Anonymous said...

I love beets, but am not so keen on having them with feta or any other cheese, really. Apart from par boiling and roasting them, which I do, are there any other suggestions?

Anonymous said...

In Costa Rica we eat what we call Russian Salad, which is simply beets, potatoes, boiled eggs, a bit of lime juice, olive oil and mayo and it's too good to be forgotten.

Anonymous said...

Great recipe! Fresh cooked beets are not like the canned beets mom used to serve. Here's a recipe I make: Prepare the raw beets like the recipe above and bake. Cool and toss with mandarin orange slices (drained if canned), thin sliced red onion, and splash with a good Balsamic vinigrette. This is good on a bed of mixed salad greens or as a side dish.

Julie said...

First time I ever had GOOD beets was when we went to Colorado to a very interesting restaurant at the top of a mountain just outside of Boulder. They were fresh and raw and I fell in love from that moment on.

Or, it could have been just that the air was so thin and I was light-headed.

I am looking forward to trying this with my family.

Anonymous said...

If you don't like beets you have never had fresh beets. They taste like candy, just wash, boil and peel. YUMMY.

Anonymous said...

Do you leave the garlic cloves whole?

Unknown said...

I love beets!!! I was also born in Guatemala, so more reason (if only good reasons to me) to eat beets. I steam my beets and mix them with vinegar, salt and pepper. Yum!

Anonymous said...

My Mom has a recipe for beets using wine vinegar and a little sugar, after boiling fresh beets, they are peeled and marinated, served either hot or cold, makes no difference, they are so good. I like the idea of balsamic vinegar also, worth a try

Anonymous said...

I fell in love with beets in the most simple way. Scrubbed, peeled and keeping and chopping the stem and leaves (these are good). I boiled gently, and when drained, tossed with real melted butter, salt and pepper. Too good!
Helen Paradis, Little River S.C.

Anonymous said...

the only way i've ever tasted beets and liked them was grilled and in a salad. i'll have to try this. it sounds intriguing. it is hard for me to get over the smell of them cooking and cooked. it makes me gag.

Anonymous said...

To anonymous who doesn't want to try these with cheese.. you don't know what you're missing. This recipe is perfect! Wouldn't change a thing. My husband has been begging for me to cook some beets, and he loved these today. I like to put the feta out and let it come to room temp., then spoon some over each serving when it's still piping hot from the oven, so that it sort of melts a bit. I cut my garlic cloves into thirds so that they'd be more spread out and we'd have more of a chance to get one with each bite. Yum! Great, healthy recipe, thanks!

Anonymous said...

Yum, all these suggestions sound great. Julie, would that be the FlagStaff Restarant up the mountain in Boulder? I'll get up there sometime. The Sunflower in Boulder is a good beet restaurant.

Anonymous said...

I would suggest using a differnt oil than olive because it can't take that heat. You can dribble a little olive oil on it afterward - better for your body.

Anonymous said...

O my God, I made your receipe last night with some beets from local organic market...better tham Mom's!! My husband wouldn't try but then left overs going on my sald tonight!!
Warning though, beets can turn your urine pink, scared me at first until I realized what it was!
I will definitely make this dish again!

MarisaPaulCharlie said...

DELICIOUS!! I made this last night for my husband and I with beautiful beets from our garden. Thank for this

Anonymous said...

I love beets! My usual recipe for beets is similar to yours minus the thyme & feta & add some orange & or grapefruit juice. It leaves the dish sweet & tangy. Look forward to testing the thyme & feta...or maybe goat cheese..mmm

Anonymous said...

forgot, I add some ginger too!