Best Beets With Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette And Mint Recipes

BALSAMIC-GLAZED BEETS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan cover beets with salted water by 1 inch. Simmer beets, covered, 35 to 45 minutes, or until tender, and drain in a colander. Cool beets until they can be handled and slip off skins and stems. Cut beets lengthwise into wedges. Beets may be prepared up to this point 2 days ahead and chilled, covered. Bring beets to room temperature before proceeding.
• In a large skillet stir together vinegar, syrup or honey, and oil and add beets. Cook beet mixture with salt and pepper to taste over moderate heat, stirring, until heated through and coated well. Sprinkle about half of thyme over beets and toss gently.
• Serve beets sprinkled with remaining thyme.

BEETS WITH BALSAMIC VINEGAR

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• 2. Trim the beets, leaving on the skin, an inch of the stem, and the wispy "tail" on the bottom of each, then scrub and drain. Place the beets in a small casserole dish just big enough to hold them. Pour the water and canola oil over the beets then cover tightly with a lid or aluminum foil and bake until tender and easily pierced with a sharp paring knife, about 1 1/2 hours.
• 3. Remove the casserole from the oven and uncover the beets, keeping your face averted from the escaping steam. Allow the beets to cool completely in the casserole.
• 4. Meanwhile, combine the vinegar, 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, the salt, and pepper in a medium-size bowl and whisk to blend. Taste and add more olive oil, if desired.
• 5. Peel the cooled beets with the back of a paring knife and cut into 3/8-inch slices. Add to the dressing in the bowl and toss gently but thoroughly to coat. Serve immediately or marinate, in the refrigerator, for up to 24 hours.

MINTED FRIED BEETS WITH BALSAMIC VINEGAR SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan cover beets with salted water by 1 inch and simmer, covered, until tender, about 35 mintues. Drain beets in a colander and cool until they can be handled. Slip off and discard skins and stems. Beets may be prepared up to this point 3 days ahead and chilled, covered.
• Make sauce:
• In a very small saucepan simmer sauce ingredients, stirring occasionally, until reduced to about 1/4 cup. Remove pan from heat and let sauce stand, covered, 15 minutes. Pour sauce through a fine sieve into a small bowl and cool. Sauce may be made 3 days ahead and chilled, covered. Bring sauce to room temperature before serving.
• Make batter:
• In a bowl whisk together flour, mint, and salt and add water, whisking until combined (batter will be lumpy).
• Cut beets into 1/4-inch-thick slices. In a deep 9-inch skillet heat oil over moderately high heat until 375°F. on a deep-fat thermometer. Working in batches, dip beet slices in batter and fry, without crowding, until golden and crisp, about 1 minute on each side, making sure oil returns to 375°F. before adding next batch. Transfer beets as fried to paper towels and drain. Beets may be made 2 hours ahead and reheated on a baking sheet in a 425°F. oven 10 minutes.
• Serve beets with sauce on the side for dipping.