Description
Homemade Scandinavian pickled beets sparkle with tangy sweet notes from vinegar and sugar. Nordic culinary traditions shine through this simple yet delectable side dish you’ll want to enjoy alongside roasted meats or crisp salads.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 bunch (4 or 5) beets
- ¼ cup (60 ml) cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) sugar
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) dry mustard
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Beet Preparation: Trim leafy tops and thoroughly wash beets under running water to remove soil and debris.
- Initial Cooking: Submerge beets in a large pot with water covering them by 1 inch, boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 35-45 minutes until fork-tender.
- Roasting Process: Preheat oven to 400°F, coat beets with olive oil, wrap in aluminum foil, and roast for 60 minutes, periodically checking tenderness.
- Cooling and Peeling: Allow beets to cool completely at room temperature, then carefully remove skin using fingers or a paring knife.
- Beet Cutting: Slice roasted beets into uniform quarters or thin medallions for an elegant presentation.
- Dressing Creation: Whisk together sugar, olive oil, dry mustard powder, and apple cider vinegar until smoothly combined, then season with kosher salt and black pepper.
- Marinating: Gently mix sliced beets with prepared vinaigrette in a ceramic bowl, allowing flavors to meld at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Chilling: Refrigerate marinated beet mixture for an additional 15-20 minutes before serving to enhance flavor and texture.
Notes
- Beet Selection: Choose medium-sized, firm beets with smooth, unblemished skin for the best flavor and texture.
- Roasting Technique: Wrapping beets in foil helps retain moisture and intensifies their natural sweetness during cooking.
- Peeling Tip: Wait until beets are completely cool before removing skins to prevent burning your fingers and ensure easy removal.
- Flavor Enhancement: Allow beets to marinate in the dressing at room temperature to help them absorb maximum flavor before chilling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Boiling, Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg