Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Roasted Beet Pesto



My valentine hates beets. I on the other have have always loved them. Ive been known to put pickled sliced beets into ham and cheese sandwiches. When no ones looking Ill eat the pickled beets right out of the jar. I guess I'm strange that way. Its difficult to love a vegetable when everyone else in your house hates it. I decided to selfishly make a roasted beet pesto for valentines dinner on Sunday.I was tinkering with the recipe today, I must say the end result was quite tasty. The color? Ridiculous. For a moment I thought that even a non beet lover might enjoy this one. So Mr. Valentine walked in the door a few hours ago (very grouchy after a 2 hour commute home in the snow), I greeted him at the door by stuffing a warm pita wedge covered in beet pesto into his mouth. He LOVED it, no I mean like really loved it, like more than I loved it. So will you. If you want to get really fancy, go to TJ Maxx and pick up the little white heart dish to put it in for $2.99. Happy Valentines day folks. xoxoxo
  • 2 medium raw beets cut in half
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • about a 1/4 cup of olive oil
  • 2 peeled garlic cloves
  • 1/4 cup of toasted pine nuts
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan

Warm toasted pita bread

Preheat oven to 400. Drizzle the beets with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Wrap in foil, roast in oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour till soft. I roasted the beets and toasted the pine nuts the night before. Once the beets are tender and cooled, remove the skins. In a food processor add beets, garlic, pine nuts and about 1/4 teaspoon of salt.. Combine ingredients till smooth. Slowly add the Parmesan and some olive oil until well combined. Serve with warm pita, keeps in fridge for about 3 days.

29 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh, I have the exact same issue in my house! I haven't had beets in forever. I should make this for a Valentine gift to myself, it looks so delicious!!

    Stay warm ♥

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  2. A beet pesto is a fantastic idea, sounds excellent and so lovely for Valentine's day!

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  3. I roasted some beets for dinner too ! Wonderful idea!

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  4. I love beets so this recipe is right up my alley. -Tien

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  5. i'm just discovering my love for anything with beets, this looks great!

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  6. I literally said "oooo" when I saw this post! I love beets and this is a great idea! Thanks for sharing!

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  7. My hubby loves beets. Gotta make this for him!

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  8. I wonder if you'll get a lot of "I hate beets" comments? Because for some reason, a lot of people don't like them. I do. There is nothing like a fresh beet! And they are super roasted in the oven. Sounds like a perfect (and red for Valentines's Day)pesto/dip!

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  9. I love beets! I never thought to make a pesto with beets. What a great idea. Even more creative you were coming up with something for Valentine's Day-Nice!

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  10. I'm the non-beet lover in this home - so will definitely try this. I love the color and the look but never the taste. My husband adores them!

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  11. I'm a recent beet-convert after having some delicious golden beets this summer. But I've never seen them prepared this way - pesto is brilliant!

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  12. I too am a beet convert and I can't wait to try this on Valentine's day...I'm even going to TJMAXX today. That was already on the agenda but you sealed the deal:-) thanks.

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  13. Oh my, yes beet pesto in inspired! This week seems to proliferate all kinds of new and tasty ways to look at what is available and turn it into another great dish.

    For me it was a beet cake, almost a red velvet cake without the red food coloring.

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  14. Love beets, so I know I will love this.
    Please email me, I have info for your France trip. I want to go with you!!!!
    email me at....ecooks56@gmail.com
    Pam

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  15. Awesome colour!
    I also find the most amazing stuff at TJ Maxx.
    HOpe you had a fab Valentines.
    *kisses* HH

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  16. Hi,
    I just wanted to tell you that I just made this and it was wonderful. Can I post it and link it back to your blog? -Tien :)

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  17. I don't love beets, but I do like them in salads, and I enjoy their color....I mostly eat beets to go well with the lovely bleu cheese! Hee hee!
    This pesto looks stunning! LOVE the brilliant color!

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  18. What an innovative idea! Beautiful color and simple to make.

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  19. You're not strange at all! Those beet haters are the ones who need a bit of perspective, I say! Who can help but love a veg that turns everything in its wake a lovely fuschia color?? :)

    Gorgeous! Simply gorgeous. And I'll bet it tastes fabulous.

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  20. I'm also a huge fan of beets. I love it already! Great idea! maria

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  21. I have beets at home that need a purpose. This is what I'm going to do with them. I love it. Thank you!

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  22. This is such a pretty pesto! I bet it would even convert my hubby to a beet lover! ;)

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  23. This looks beautiful!! I usually use beets in soups but this is really a unique way to use it.

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  24. I am taking your beet pesto to my cooking class on Wednesday for people to try. They are going to love it. Thanks for sharing this recipe. Check out Simple Recipe's beet hummus recipe http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/beet_hummus/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+elise%2Fsimplyrecipes+%28Simply+Recipes%29. I am not sure of you can click on the above link in comments. I have not done this before. -Tien :)

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  25. I am hoping that you will post soon. I am missing your great dishes :-)

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  26. The container of beet pesto was basically cleaned out. Thanks again for sharing. I hope that your ears were ringing, you have fans in IL. -Tien :)

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  27. I know you made this a while ago, but I just found you after you left a comment on my blog. I have never seen a beet pesto but am loving this idea. I think I'm as nuts about beets as you are.

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  28. I am still dreaming about your beet pesto. The beets in the garden are so tiny. Grow little ones grow so that you can grow up to be beet pesto. -Tien

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