Not to be beat with beets

I think it's genetic. My mom doesn't like beets but my dad loves them. I know some people have expressed to me that they taste like dirt to them. No they're not eating dirt, but we've all had a taste of it thanks to eating produce that hasn't been thoroughly washed. The best remedy for this is NEVER eat them canned. Canned beets are comparable to eating canned peas - Yuck!

Also, I peel mine first and wash thoroughly before cooking.

A favorite and easy beet salad of mine.

• One bunch of beets - peeled, washed, and sliced
• 2-3 tablespoons Cecchetti orange olive oil (you can use regular olive oil, but a citrus flavor is preferable since it becomes part of the dressing)
• 1/4 cup good balsamic vinegar

Place beets, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Remove from oven and cool. Once at room temperature, place in a bowl (roasted oil, juices, all that magic goodness) and add the following:

• 1 orange, peeled and chopped into chunks
• 1 bulb fennel, washed and sliced thinly
• dash of kosher salt

The salad is ready to serve. You can add feta or goat cheese. I like this salad as a side dish for both beef and poultry.

Enjoy!