Chattanooga Beets with Pomegranate Pips

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Shabbat dinner this week at Hillel is inspired by "Breast Cancer Awareness" month. Dinner is all things pink: cream of tomato soup, spinach salad with strawberries, pink salmon, roasted pink new potatoes...and, Chattanooga beets. Originally, I plan to use red and golden beets and hope for some sort of compromise of color. Whole Foods sells golden beets in bulk. While picking up a few, I spy "Chattanooga Beets". They are a more vibrant red than standard beets with a hint of fuchsia. I ask the produce person what's up with them.

He graciously cuts one open and it is pink and white stripes! PERFECT. Apparently, an heirloom beet out of Tennessee, this Chattanooga gem is going to tie my dinner together perfectly. I tend towards passionate outbursts when I think something rocks. Resisting the urge to do some sort of end zone victory dance, I quietly fill my bag of beets.

I opt to boil the beets instead of oven roasting them. As I peel and slice, I see that the pinky orange and white stripes are nicely defined. I slice from top to bottom to maintain the pattern. Benoit has to endure my repeated entreaties to "check this out!" Tasting the beets, I find them a tad bitter. Nothing a little sugar won't cure. I decide to use my dressing of canola oil and rice wine vinegar. Simple, sweet it brings up a nice shine and enhances the flavor. I have a pomegranate in the fridge. With an eye on the clock, I decide I can seed it and sprinkle the pips onto the beets. I'm all happy!

While finishing up dinner, various people come into the kitchen. I have to show off the beets. Pulling the bowl from the fridge, I see the color have bled and formed the most beautiful PINK. The stripes are more subtle but the color is fab; perfect for our "Pink Shabbat" theme.

So here I am on Sunday morning, typing this up before I run back to Hillel to prepare for a dedication they are having later. I can't wait to show you the pink beets!

Kosher Status:	Parve
Number of servings:	8 - 12
Main Ingredient(s):	Beets
Preparation Time:	00:20
Cooking Time:	00:40
Skill Level:	1 - Easy (1 Easy - 5 Hard)
Estimated POINT value:

Ingredients:

2 pounds Chattanooga Beets
1 pomegranate, seeds removed
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup sweetened rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

Wash the beets and place them in a pot. Cover with cold water at least 2" above the beets. Boil until just tender. A bamboo skewer, when inserted, will glide in with only a tad of pressure and the beet will fall off with a gentle shake.

When the beets are cooked, carefully empty the pot into a colander that is place in the sink. Run cold water over the beets.

Peel the beets while running a little cold water over the beet as you work. The skin should slide away but you can use a vegetable peeler or paring knife if you need help.

Slice the beets into wedges from top to bottom. If you slice across the beet, you'll get a ring pattern. Up and down maintains the striped pattern. Place the beets into a bowl and set aside.

In a small bowl, combine the dressing ingredients and whisk. Pour over the beets, toss.

Peel and seed the pomegranate. Add the pips to the beets, toss. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

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Chattanooga Beets with Pomegranate Pips

About Leah

Hi! Thank you for stopping by to watch me, Leah, cook kosher. I've been the owner operator of my boutique catering firm in Seattle, Leah's Catering, for the past 14 years.
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