Beet Salad with Goat Cheese & Pistachios

My friend Mike says beets taste like dirt.  To him, this is a positive thing. To me, well, dirt's not my favorite flavor.  I've never been a beet lover but last week on a business trip to Scottsdale, AZ., my mind was changed.  I tried the most delicious version of beets that I've ever had. This recipe is my humble recreation.  Crunchy, creamy and fresh, these beets make the perfect side dish to any meal.  Serve them warm in the winter or cold in the summer.  

Beets are a great source of potassium, fiber and vitamin C.  

6-8 Beets, tops and roots removed, peeled and chopped (or 2 cans of beets, chopped and drained)

2 T. Olive oil

Salt & Pepper

1/4 C. Pistachios, shelled

1/4 C. Raisins

4 oz. Creamy goat cheese

4 Sprigs of thyme

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  

In a large bowl, toss the beets, olive oil, salt & pepper.  Spread out on a large baking sheet.  Roast in the oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until the beets are fork-tender.  Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly.  *If you use canned beets, roasting is not necessary, but will add some more dimension to your dish.  

This salad tastes great hot or cold, so when you're ready to serve, transfer the beets to a serving dish.  Sprinkle with pistachios and raisins.  Crumble the goat cheese over the top and garnish with thyme leaves.  

Veggie Chili and Cast Iron Cornbread

Nothing quite hits the spot like a big pot of rich, bubbling chili on a cold, wet day.  My friend Kelsey gave me this recipe with the promise that it can stand up to carnivorous chili any day.  She wasn't kidding.  This vegetarian chili is flavorful and robust, hearty and healthy with just a hint of smoke from the paprika.  And the sprinkle of citrus on top adds just the right amount of brightness.  Take a chance and go down the veggie route, with Kelsey’s’ Veggie Chili. 

This recipe is adapted from Leslie Sansone's cookbook Eat Smart Walk Strong.  

2 t. olive oil

1 bunch green onions, diced

2 cloves of garlic, minced

2 cans of fire roasted tomatoes

2 cans of black bean

1 C. corn

1 T. chili powder

1 T. Smoked paprika

1 t. sugar

Juice of ½ lemon

Salt & Pepper

1 avocado

Monterey Jack cheese

Heat the oil in a large pot.  Add the green onion and garlic.  Cook until soft.  Add the remaining ingredients save the avocado and Monterey Jack cheese.  Cook over medium-low heat for at least 30 minutes, or as long as you like. Garnish with avocado and cheese or a roasted lemon. 

Serve with corn bread.  

BONUS Recipe:  Lois Skaggs' Cornbread

Sean’s mom, Lois, makes some of the best cornbread I’ve ever eaten.  She makes it in a cast iron skillet, too, which adds even more authenticity to its down south country style!  This cornbread is light and moist with a crunchy outer edge.  It’s the perfect vessel to soak up any hearty soup or chili. 

2 C. Cornmeal

1 Egg

2 C. Buttermilk

¼ C. vegetable oil

Tip:

Try these other versions of cornbread.  Just fold any combination of these ingredients into the batter:

2 T. sugar + 1 bag of frozen corn = sweet cornbread

2 jalapenos (seeded, diced) + shredded cheddar = Mexican cornbread
1 T. smoked paprika + 1 T. chili powder = smoky cornbread

Preheat oven to 450.

Heat an enameled cast iron skillet on the stove over medium heat.  Add the ¼ C. of vegetable oil to the skillet to warm. 

In a large bowl, mix the cornmeal, egg and buttermilk.  When it’s thoroughly combined, add most of the warm vegetable oil, leaving just a bit in the skillet.  Stir to combine again.  Fold in the corn, jalapenos and cheddar cheese.  Add the mixture to the hot skillet and place in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown on top. 

If you like this recipe, check out my other chili recipes too!

Sue's Chili

White Chicken Chili

White Chicken Chili

This recipe comes from my uncle, Tim Curry, who lives in Tucson, Arizona.  A hearty southwestern dish, it is flavored with cinnamon, cumin and roasted green chilies.  Serve it with some tortillas and avocado or corn bread and you’ve got yourself the perfect, unique fall meal.  Thank you for the recipe, Tim.

8 Large chicken thighs (no skin, with bones to start)

2 T. olive oil

1 Large sweet yellow onion, diced

2-3 Cloves of garlic, minced

1 Bag frozen premium white pearl onions

1 32-oz. can of chicken broth

2 16-oz. cans of white beans, rinsed and drained

1 t. Crushed red pepper flakes (or to taste)

1 t. Cumin

½ t. Cinnamon

2 T. red wine vinegar

1 Large baked potato (or 1 can white potatoes, drained), chopped

1 7-oz. Can roasted diced green chilies

Cilantro, shredded white cheddar, avocado, pico de gallo, for garnish and topping

*I couldn’t find frozen pearl onions, so I substituted regular onion.  I also added yellow corn and hominy in place of half of the white beans.  I garnished mine with cilantro and lime.

In a large pot, heat the olive oil.  Add the chicken thighs and cook over medium heat until they’re almost done.  Remove the chicken and allow it to cool.  Add the onion and garlic to the pot and cook over medium heat until the onion is soft and translucent, but don’t let them brown!  Add the pearl onions (or small white onions if you can’t find them frozen, because I never can now).  Let them cook with the other onions and garlic for several minutes.  Add the chicken broth and let it come to a simmer. 

While the broth is heating, debone and shred the chicken.  Discard any skin, fat or bones and add the chicken to the pot.  When the combination has come to a simmer, add the white beans. 

Season the chili with the red pepper flakes, cumin, cinnamon and vinegar.  Cover the pot and let the chili simmer about 30 minutes.  Remove the cover and add the diced green chilies.  Cook for another 20 minutes.  *If you add the green chilies too soon, their flavor will be lost, so don’t do it!

At this point, season the chili further with more crushed red pepper flakes (or Tepin peppers for a bigger kick, do not use jalapenos).  Serve the chili hot with cilantro, shredded white cheddar or avocado and Pico de Gallo.  This chili tastes great with bread sticks, tortillas or good, coarse bread.