Beets With Chive Cream Food

BRAISED BEETS WITH SOUR CREAM AND CHIVES

Steps:

• Peel 2 pounds beets, and chop them into 1-inch chunks; roughly chop the greens.
• Put both in a saucepan with 1 tablespoon butter and 1/2 cup stock.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer.
• Cover, and cook until the beets are tender and the greens wilted, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Boil off any excess liquid; stir in 1/4 cup sour cream, and toss with chopped chives. (This is fantastic served over egg noodles.)

ROASTED BEETS WITH HORSERADISH CREAM

Steps:

• Cut the greens from the beets, leaving about 1 inch of the stems attached. S.
• crub the beets, wrap them tightly in 2 foil packages, and roast them on a baking sheet in the middle of a preheated 350°F oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until they are tender.
• Unwrap the beets carefully, discarding any liquid that may have accumulated in the foil, and let them cool until they can be handled.
• Peel and halve the beets and cut them into 1/4-inch slices.
• In a small bowl stir together the crème fraîche, the horseradish to taste, the zest, and salt and pepper to taste.
• In a large skillet, cook the beets with salt and pepper to taste in the butter over moderately high heat, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until they are hot.
• Portion out the arugula on six plates and place the beets atop the greens.
• Top the beets with the horseradish cream and sprinkle the cream with the chives and salt and pepper to taste.

BEET SOUP WITH TARRAGON, CHIVES AND YOGURT

Steps:

• Put olive oil in a heavy-bottomed soup pot or deep, wide skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cook slowly, stirring, until softened, about 10 minutes.
• Add beets and season generously with salt and pepper. Add a pinch of cayenne and pour in vinegar. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, then add water and raise heat to a brisk simmer. Taste broth and adjust. Cook for another 10 minutes, until beets are completely soft.
• Purée in a blender, in batches if necessary, and strain through a fine-mesh sieve. (Consistency should be like heavy cream, no thicker - thin with water or broth as necessary). Return puréed soup to pot and reheat. In a small bowl, combine yogurt with tarragon and chives. Add a good pinch of salt and beat with a fork to loosen yogurt.
• Taste soup, and adjust for salt and vinegar. Ladle into individual bowls. Swirl a large (2 to 3 tablespoons) spoonful of herbed yogurt across the surface of the soup.

BEETS IN SOUR CREAM

Steps:

• Cook beets in water to cover until tender. Drain, slip off skins and slice or cube. In the top of a double boiler, mix beets, sour cream, horseradish, onion and salt. Heat, stirring occasionally, to serving temperature. Serve garnished with the chives or parsley.