Roasted Red and Golden Beets

I first became curious about beets when my friend Casey became a consultant for Juice Plus, and she was talking about how we don't get enough servings of fruit and veggies.  I knew without a doubt that it had to be true, and I remember her saying something about how often will we eat beets?  That peaked my interest in beets because I love to explore new food!

So I found some organic red beets at The Fresh Market.  Then I found some organic golden beets at Whole Foods.  I started noticing that all the power food and healthy eating cookbooks have information or recipes about beets.  Jillian Michaels says in The Master Your Metabolism Cookbook that beets are anti-cancer, heart healthy, metabolism boosting, and immunity boosting. 

In Power Foods: 150 Delicious Recipes with the 38 Healthiest Ingredients, beets were said to be low in calories, high in fiber, rich in iron, and full of cancer - fighting beta carotene and folic acid, which can help prevent birth defects. 

Even six year old Sasha Rasico ate roasted beets, and she said they tasted like corn.  She has gotten much more experimental with food lately!  These shrimp skewers that you see above are sold at Whole Foods for $2 each.  They were easy to throw under the broiler until they turned just the right color.

Gianna Rasico had beets in her salad.  I probably should have sliced them thinly for her.  Next time, I'll know better.  So......what does everyone think of beets?

Ingredients:

• 1 or 2 bunches of beets, red or golden or both
• Olive oil or spray oil
• Course kosher salt

Directions:

1. Wash the beets thoroughly, then quarter if they're large.  Trim each end.
2. Line a large pan or cookie sheet with aluminum foil.   
3. Place the beets on the pan, drizzle or spray with oil, then salt, then toss to coat.
4. Cover with more foil.
5. Cook for 45 minutes at 400 degrees or until the beets are easily pierced with a knife.
6. When cooled, slip the skins off with a paring knife.  Enjoy!

Don't forget to save the beet greens for a great stir fry!  I'll try to post that one soon!