Fast, Easy and Fun---These Beets will Keep you Coming Back for More.

            Beets are an iffy vegetable for many people.  Many adults were “made to eat beets” as children, and any time we were “made to do” anything we tend to remember that thing in an unfavorable light.  I’m not sure why more people don’t like beets.  They contain a lot of nutrients and fiber.  Their beautiful deep red purple color should be enough to win anyone over.

           I try to turn iffy vegetables into ones that you will want to eat.  That way you will be able to put more variety into you meals.  Making beets sweet and sour is one way to do this.  You can buy ready-made sweet and sour (or pickled) beets in a can or jar.  I have tasted them and they are either too sweet or too flat for my palate.  I like foods to have strong flavors and if I’m going to eat something sweet and sour, I want it to taste that way.  Besides, sweet and sour beets are easy to make.  It makes sense to prepare them yourself so you can control the flavor.  You also won’t add any artificial ingredients or preservatives.

           Sweet and sour beets are great to eat at a picnic, to take to a potluck, or for a cold salad option for dinner.  They add beautiful color to a meal of chicken breast and mashed potatoes.  The more color on your plate the more eye candy you have.  Color also means you are getting more nutrients.  My recipe freezes well so it’s perfect to freeze in individual portions for a Freezer Takeout™ meal later. 

         To make things easy for you I start with two 15-ounce canned sliced beets.  You certainly can cook fresh beets, but that will add a lot of time to a fast easy fun recipe.  Buy beets that have only water added.  Buy them either pre-sliced or whole and slice them yourself.  Drain them and put them into a pot along with a sliced onion.  Feel free to omit the onion.  Add 1 cup of apple cider vinegar and 1 cup of sugar to the pot along with 1 teaspoon of whole cloves.  The cloves add a great pizzazz to the taste.  Bring it to a boil then reduce it to a simmer and simmer for 5 minutes.  Let chill over night and serve cold.

        Fast, easy and fun these beets will keep you coming back for more.  

Cooking is easier than you think and you and your family are worth the time and effort it takes. 

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