So, I have all of this produce that we got this week from the CSA and I need to eat most of it before I go away this weekend to the shore w/ my parents - Thats so bad right? I have to eat produce :) Its my favorite thing to eat!!! Anyway.. we got beets in our share this week and my husband HATES beets. To be honest, they aren't my favorite veggie either, but I don't want them to go to waste. Last time we got beets in the share I made Beet Chips and they were delicious - what better way to eat beets than as a chip w/ hummus (homemade at that)!!! They are SO simple and easy and they are delicious..
To start you need your beets - We got four small beets from the CSA that you can see below, and they came leave-less so I only have to use the actual beet for the recipe (there are so many cool recipes for the leaves as well, but we will do those another time since I didn't get the leaves this week) - So we start out w/ our four beets like so...
The worst part about beets is that they are RED and when you are working w/ them the RED gets EVERYWHERE!!! Even on your paws :) SO - here is what I do (see below).. I line the counter w/ paper towel and I use a paper towel to hold the beet to minimize the amount of red on my fingers.. it would be cool if I thought of this trick before I ate them for the first time, but instead, I made my AWESOME brother cut the beets and I think he had red hands for a week.. haha good thing he loves me :)
After my counter space is ready - we get to cutting, like so..
I don't even wash these b/c I get them farm fresh so I just work right w/ them :) .. When you are cutting be sure to not waste too much of the beet, the idea is to get the top and bottom off and then you have a center circle.. My beets are a little smaller, but you can use any size !!
Next, you want to peel the beet to rid it of the skin.. like this... Be sure to use the paper towel here to save your hands !!
I found that it is easier to peel around instead of up and down b/c the beets are smaller (if this makes sense, I am not really sure how to give directions in beet terms :))
Once they are all peeled, you can rinse them off if need be and then.. My favorite part (NOT :))...SIMPLY SLICE! (If only it was simple.. I think if I had the correct tools it would be easier).
So if you have a mandolin slicer - that is your best bet.. you can make your slices all the same size, but I don't (yet) so I just use my good old knives. It helps to use a long skinny knife b/c you can get through the whole beet w/ less strength and its easier to make a thin slice. So there are two things w/ the slicing, be careful you don't cut yourself b/c the beets are slippery and second THIN IS KEY! If they are too thick, they will take longer to cook and they will not be as crispy.. Here are some more awesome pictures.. I had a helper today w/ pictures (amanda, my brothers girlfriend) WOO for her to be here to help take actions shots..
and here are the final products-->
as you can see a little un-even, but hey, the knife works! :)
Now, the hard part is over! All you have to do is transfer them to a bowl and add some Olive Oil and Salt. It is important to put them in a bowl so that they get evenly coated w/ olive oil and salt...
I don't measure out the olive oil, just drizzle and stir, same w/ the salt. Be sure to buy Organic Olive Oil - Trader Joe's and Wegmans both have great options and whole foods as well!
Next, lets get these babies in the oven so we can EAT them :) Be sure you lay them flat on the cookie sheet (you may need one or two) just be sure they are flat and in a single layer...
and into the oven they go.. You want to place them on the top or middle rack. Your oven should be set to 350 degrees and you can place them in any position you would like. Once in the oven you want to cook them for 20 minutes (or until the edges are light and browned). I just did it and 20 minutes worked perfectly. After 20 minutes, remove the cookie sheet off the top and remove any chips that are light in color and finished...This is if your chips are all different sizes and widths (basically if you don't have a cool slicer) ..Then rotate the beets that still need to be cooked and put them back in at 5 minute intervals until they are all light in color. Its important to check ever 3-5 minutes and remove the ones that are done so that they don't burn..When you remove the beets you can place them on a wire rack or you can just use parchment paper...
As you can see all the different shapes and sizes :) - Once they are all finished you are good to go!! This whole process literally takes like a half hour and its the PERFECT afternoon snack! Amanda and I enjoyed them today w/ hummus! Get to it and Just beet it!!
Live Well xoxo
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