Summer Beet Salads

To retain the flavour, nutrients, and cancer-fighting benefits of beets, do not overcook them. Don't peel them first, and leave the root and an inch or so of stem to keep them from turning everything bright red. To boil, cook for 20 to 30 minutes, or until tender After cooking, run them under cold water, then peel and slice. To roast them, place beets in a roasting pan and add a little water for steam. Roast in a covered pan at 425 degrees F for 30 to 45 minutes or until the beets are easily pierced with a knife, then trim and slip off the skins under running water and slice or dice.

If you're mixing beets with other vegetables (in a salad, for instance), cook and dress the beets separately and add them last. Their vivid colour will seep into everything else otherwise.

Cooked beets can be stored in the refrigerator for a week or two, and in the freezer for longer than that, all without damage to their taste or nutritional value, so if you cook a big batch on a cool day, you’ll be all set for delicious beets salads during the next heat wave.

Spinach, Goat Feta, & Beet Salad

An easy and sophisticated salad can be made with leftover beets, spinach, and goat feta. Wash the spinach carefully and remove the stems. Chop your cooked beets into cubes or slice them 1cm thick. The goat cheese can be served in slices or crumbled over the salad. Dress with a vinaigrette or a splash of balsamic vinegar and some extra virgin olive oil. Delicious variations on this salad include adding walnuts, green apples, pears, and/or avocado.

Avocado, Beet, & Honeydew Salad

Chop your leftover beets into slices or chunks. Do the same with a ripe (but not overripe) avocado and a similarly ripe honeydew melon. Mix together and squeeze lime juice over the whole thing. Serve chilled. This dish works because each of the three main ingredients is mildly sweet in a different way, and the lime unites the flavours and adds some bite. Throw in some fresh berries for a sweeter, fruitier salad. This is good for breakfast, a snack, or dessert.