
Orange-Glazed Beets
I happen to love beets. But I didn’t always. When I first tasted them, they tasted like dirt to me. Not that I really know what dirt tastes like, mind you. But they have a real earthiness to them that you almost have to force yourself to embrace, sort of like learning to love beer.
There’s nothing quite like the simplicity of roasted beets. They’re sweet and tender. But today I roasted them and then glazed them, with spectacular results.
The original recipe is from a cookbook called The New California Cook, by Diane Rossen Worthington, published in 2006.
I’m basically a California girl at heart. I’ve lived many different places in my life, both growing up and since marrying. But there’s just something about California. And that’s what the recipes in this book are about. Here’s a quote from the introduction:
“You don’t have to live in California to be a California cook – what you do need is a California spirit.”
The recipe for orange-glazed beets caught my attention because as I said, I love beets. I’ve roasted them, and pickled them, but never glazed them, so I knew I had to try this. It’s a little more involved recipe, because I made it a little more difficult by adding an extra step. I wanted to roast the beets first, which after-the-fact, didn’t really make a difference.
Orange-Glazed Beets
Adapted from The New California Cook
3 medium-sized beets
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper
1/4 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon butter
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut off the stems of the beets. Place the beets in a foil-lined roasting pan. Two of the beets were larger than the third, so I sliced them in half, to make them more uniform in size.
Drizzle them with a little olive oil, about 3 tablespoons. Season with salt and pepper.
Cover the whole baking dish with foil, and bake the beets for about 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and roast the beets for 15-20 minutes. They’re not completely tender at this point, but I didn’t want them cooked thoroughly before I went through the glazing process, which cooks the beets further.
Remove the beets from the oven and let them cool.
Meanwhile, combine the chicken stock, orange juice and balsamic vinegar in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a light boil, and let reduce for about 15 minutes or so.
When the beets are cool enough to handle, remove the peels. I do this by rubbing the skins with paper towels. If all of the peel won’t come off, finish with a peeler. Some people wear gloves handling beets, because your fingers will turn red.
But it’s not permanent.
Slice the beets into lengthwise wedges or, if you prefer, horizontal slices. It depends what shape you want.
Place the beets into the liquid and maintain a soft simmer. Pour all of the remaining liquid from the roasted beets into the saucepan.
Continue simmering, occasionally spooning the liquid over the beets, if they are not completely submerged. The liquid will reduce and become a glaze.
Add the butter, stir in, then remove the saucepan from the stove.
The original recipe calls for added chopped parsley, but I omitted that. You can taste for salt.
These beets are a lovely side dish. Today I paired them with a pesto-crusted pork tenderloin, and it was a perfect combination. The beets would also be lovely on a composed salad.
verdict: Delicious! As I mentioned, I don’t think the roasting step improved the beets ultimate flavor and texture, so that step can easily be omitted. Simply peel and chop/slice the beets, and simmer them in liquid. You will have to double up on the liquid ingredients, however, since the whole process will take about 45 minutes before the raw beets become tender.
note: I will make these beets again in the fall, with some apple cider and maple syrup. They really are fabulous glazed!
It looks yummy!
I ate the rest of them on salads and they were so flavorful!
Beautiful photos as always Mimi. Orange glaze sounds divine. Emma xx
Thanks, Emma! The glaze really added something to the beets!
Thank you!
Thanks so much!
It’s exactly that – a flavorful finishing touch!
Love beets, but unfortunately hubby doesn’t agree with me on that, so I tend to buy them very rarely…. and for some reason I reserve them for cold months…
love this orange glaze touch!
I put them on salads year round. I don’t typically eat them as a side dish, but they were really good. My husband doesn’t eat them either.
Nice :)
Thank you Elaine!
The glaze is a nice touch!
I happen to love beets and I have tasted dirt (doing serious yard work pulling out shrubs when the roots key go). I think I could even convince my husband to try these…any ideas on what I could pass them off as? And no, he doesn’t like tomatoes. Maybe super large strawberries?
Hahahahahaha! Good luck with that!
Reblogged this on Chef Ceaser.
Thank you so much! This went to my spam folder – again!!!
Great one thanks! I love my beets and will try this.
Fabulous! Thanks.
I adore beets now too! Stunning shots and great instruction!!! x
Thanks so much!
You just can’t beat roasted beets unless, I guess, they’re orange glazed.
Absolutely!!!
Absolutely going to make this tomorrow. I adore beets
How nice!!!
Thanks so much Bobbi!
That’s definitely true. Of course, fresh is always best!
Mimi this is my very favourite way of eating beets. They team beautifully with lamb and baby beets make an elegant presentation.
They do indeed! Husband won’t eat lamb. Damn husbands.
Roasted and glazed?? Drooling here…
My OH wont eat lamb either. Irritating man.
I think that’s why I blog – so I can prepare food that I love, that the husband won’t eat!!!
Adding a touch of citrus to roasted beets sounds like a fantastic idea!
It really was a fabulous flavor!
Chef Mimi, this looks like a phenomenally delicious way to prepare beets! This is how big of a fool I was for most of my life – I didn’t try my first beet until about a year or two ago. I used to think they were pickled to give them that red look and I wouldn’t even taste them because I’m not a fan of pickled foods. When my friend told me that they’re naturally red and super tasty, I finally gave in and I fell in love. The next time I want to wow my guests at a dinner party, I’m going to give this recipe a try!
I was pretty late in the game when I first realized how good beets are as well. Thanks for your comment!
Thanks so much Abbe!
Great was to prepare beets Mimi, it could be the perfect partner to so many dishes. Must agree on the photos – beautifully lit and shot!
Thank you so much!
These almost look like poached pears .. mmmmm!
I guess they do!
Yay!
Hi Mimi,
I just tried beets for the first time this year, lol. Loved them and love your recipe. What a pleasure to find your beautiful blog and innovative dishes. I’m going to have fun exploring!
Thanks so much Robyn!
I completely understand! I’m the only one between the two of us who eats beets as well…