Beet & Corn Hash

This post seemed have gotten lost in the shuffle somewhere. Seems a little out of place now that we're almost heading into November but it was delish so here it is nonetheless!

I love meals that really represent the transition of seasons, especially summer to fall. Lately I've been diving into fall produce while still trying to use up some of late summers best offerings. I feel like the addition of sweet fresh corn really adds a touch of summer to an otherwise heavy fall dish. 

No recipe this time, just hoping to inspire you to take a breakfast staple like hash and give it a good ol' seasonal twist!

Beet Greens with Tofu and Soba Noodles

When the end of summer nears closer and closer I feel myself clinging to the seasons best produce; green beans, tomatoes, peaches, and berries. Even though I'm actually slowly getting tired of these foods and actually can't wait to dive into my first winter squash or bag of brussels sprouts, I just feel like I need to avoid eating fall/winter vegetables as long as I can because before I know it beets, potatoes, cabbage and turnips will be some of my only culinary choices. 

During todays market trip however I just couldn't help myself. Its been weeks that I've been eyeing bunches of beets and piles of winter squash and I couldn't resist them any longer. We're heading out of the city for a few days tomorrow so I knew I needed to make quick work of the beet greens before my refrigerators crisper gets to them first. 

I think every fall I search for new exciting things to do with beets, especially the greens. I love their flavour but often find it quite overpowering.

After checking all my usual sources for inspiration and finding nothing, google provided me with this recipe from Canadian Living. I added this yummy tofu my friend Renee got me hooked on, as well as cashews and soba noodles. It was the perfect quick Saturday lunch! 

Marinated Beet Salad

This salad just made my day.
Maybe I was a little too hungry and waited a little too long for lunch. But this salad has somehow made me feel so good, better than I thought a salad could. Actually thats not true, I know the power of salads (don't laugh!) but I feel like I haven't been eating the healthiest food lately and I think my body was just SO ready for some vegetables that it jumped for joy as I ate this simple salad.
Good thing I made enough for two...because I'm definitely having seconds.

Beet & Green Bean Salad with Goat Cheese

There's nothing like an early fall salad of beets and green beans. 

I am really going to miss green beans once they disappear from the markets. Thankfully we'll probably have another few weeks (right? right?) before they disappear until next summer. This was also a lovely use for all the tiny little basil leaves left on my sad looking basil plant. 

Shaved Beet & Proscuitto Pizza

Last night I planned on making a pizza version of this caramelized onion tart. But as I gathered onions from the pantry I couldn't help but notice the sad looking bag of beets that has been somewhat ignored lately. I think I've already gone off the deep end in terms of pizza toppings, so what's stopping me from trying one with beets?

Beetnuts Pate

Yet another fabulous recipe from The Coup! This one is probably my favourite so far (which says a lot because the others were awesome) and I'm totally adding this to my arsenal of dips that I'll be busting out this holiday season.
I apologize for sounding like a total food geek here but, the complex blend of flavours are really well balanced. Sweet, nutty, earthy, with some zing from lemon, and a kick from garlic.  Mmmmmmmm.
And it's actually super healthy!

Beet Salad with Orange Coriander Dressing

I really love eating as much seasonal local food as possible. But it's only November and I'm already craving lighter fresher foods! How am I going to last another 5-6 months until spring??

Thankfully there are some root vegetables that taste great raw and lend themselves beautifully to salads. It also doesn't hurt when the farmers market surprises you with mixed salad greens!

Borscht

Considering my love for beets, and my even greater love of soups, it's really quite astounding how I long it's taken me to get around to making Borscht.

Beet & Apple Slaw

The day before my husbands birthday, I asked him what kind of side dish he wanted with his birthday meal of BBQ'd burgers.

"Slaw." he replied.

"What kind of slaw?" I asked in return.

"I dunno, just slaw. That awesome one you make."

"You mean the apple & bacon one? Or the ginger carrot one? Or the one with the green onion & cilantro dressing? Or the mango one? Or the.." I trailed off trying to remember what magical slaw he was referring to.

Green Bean & Beet Salad

The day I created this salad (with the help of my favourite book ever) I was clearly in an adventurous and confident mood. But I was honestly not expecting it to be this delicious! Everything just tastes so darn good together! 

This is also one of those dishes that really feels like a transition from summer to fall.