Basil goes well with beets. And I think thyme would also.

Linda

Oh, one more thing. I boiled the beets last night and now I have a pot of beet water. Any suggestions how I can make the best of it. If not, I will just throw it out. Al

Thanks Linda! Just put some dried basil in it. Too bad I don't have any fresh basil, love fresh herbs in bread! Guess it's time to start my Aero Garden again. Al

Al, I'd have used the beet water as the liquid for the beet bread, but it might be OK for a vegetable soup base.

Basil with beets sounds good, I was thinking orange zest and fennel. I love fennel.

Annie

Cumin and Beets are brilliant together. Very middle eastern. Also Truffle Oil, but that might be tough to integrate into a bread.

Thanks Annie and skeip!

Annie, I was going to use the water in the dough but the pureed beets gave plenty moisture and no extra liquid was needed. Not sure if my two boys can handle purple red soup! LOL I am going to pickle the other two beets. Maybe I can use the water as a base?

Skeip, what do you do with the combination of cumin and beets? In a stew?

Al

Dill with beets! LOL!
I guess lots of things go with beets!
One time many years ago...I made a purple soup, out of stuff in the refrig and the freezer.
It was some, very little beets, red cabbage, red onion, kidney beans and a ham bone...it was very purple and very good.
Freeze the beet watere for that.
Linda C

You could make pickled eggs with the beet juice. Here's the recipe I use. You could just add the sugar, winegar and eggs.

PICKLED EGGS AND RED BEETS

1 (1 lb.) can sliced beets
6 peeled hard-cooked eggs
Water
5 Tbsp. cider vinegar
3 packed Tbsp. brown sugar
1/2 small onion. thinly sliced (optional)

Drain juice from the can of beets and place in a two quart jar. Add sugar and vinegar and stir well to dissolve sugar. Add 1 cup of water and stir again. Layer beets, eggs, and onion (if used) into the jar. Fill jar with water, cover, and shake gently to mix. Store in refrigerator for at least a day before eating.

Wow Ruthanna, that's interesting! Do you put whole eggs in the jar? What do you eat them with? Thanks! Al

Al, yes, the eggs go into the jar peeled and whole. We eat them the same way as devilled eggs. They're usually served cut in half on an egg plate with the pickled beets in the center. "Red beet eggs" are a traditional PA Dutch appetizer.

DD used to like to take one for lunch and have it with crackers instead of a sandwich.

Oh I am so going to try this. Thanks! How much water/juice is required in this recipe? Al

You'd need enough to fully cover the eggs so a narrow container would be better than a wide one.

Thank you so much Ruthanna! Just realized I am running low on eggs. Have to save the juice and make these another day. Fun, fun! :-) Al

Make a basic vinaigrette and flavor it with cumin to taste, toss with the beets and serve as a cold side. Also you can leave out the cumin, add truffle oil to taste, toss with the beets, tossed with mixed greens accented with goat cheese as a cold salad. This is especially pretty if you use red and golden beets. I also accent with candied pecan halves for a little crunch / sweet contrast. I love beets!

Fun fact (if not helpful): You can dye your hair purple with the beet water. Popular among late 19th century Russian students. :)

~Amanda

Fun fact? Depends.

Al, if this is your first time eating beets, you may be alarmed the next day when you visit your bathroom.

No, you don't need to go to the hospital emergency room.

Some people cannot digest the red color in beets.

dcarch

Thanks Skeip. That sounds delicious!

Fun fact, my husband will freak out if I dyed my hair purple! LOL But hey, I don't mind purple pee... as long as it doesn't stain the toilet! Al

Sweets, treats, meats. Sorry, too much Sesame Street. I love beets and am definitely going to try some of these combinations.