Orange-Marinated Beets

I know a few of you are on the fence when it comes to beets, but they’ve been one of my favorite foods since I was a kid. As a wildly picky child, it’s amazing how many beets I ate.

My memories of beets are of being at restaurants with salad bars, and always choosing beets and ranch dressing… because it made my salad pink. I remember warm pickled beets being part of my Grandma Rosie’s dinner table every time we sat down, and dribbling that red juice all over myself and the tablecloth ruining so many white things.

Fond food memories… as a picky child, you don’t always have many of these. So, that makes my beet memories even more fond. I like to think about how I loved beets more than how I sat for hours sitting at the dinner table alone, staring at a dinner that I absolutely wasn’t going to eat, until it was bedtime. Ohhhh, the fun of being a stubborn and picky kid! 🙂

Today’s recipe is a super simple way to enjoy these bright magenta goodies in salad form. One of the simplest recipes I’ve made in some time, it has huge flavor and I’ll be buying more ingredients to make it again this week!

Orange-Marinated Beets

Adapted from Picky Palate

Serves 3

INGREDIENTS

1 pkg. baby beets, steamed and peeled
2 medium-large oranges
1/2 Tbsp. grated red onion
1 Tbsp. white balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp. orange zest

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Slice baby beets into 1/4 inch slices and place into a large mixing bowl.

2. Add juice of oranges, red onion, vinegar and orange zest. Stir, cover and refrigerate for 24 hours.

2. To serve, Place over your favorite greens for a dressing-less salad! How great is that option! The original recipe added goat cheese and pecans too, just to give you some additional ideas! Note: I’ve been buying my micro greens at Trader Joe’s. LOVE this new ingredient!