Snow White and the Seven Beets

So...its very amazing how things happen sometimes. We had a birthday party for my two little boys a couple weeks ago. We had family come from all over the state and I had a great visit with my sister-in-law Jaime. I was telling her about all my veggies...and she asked me if I had gotten any beets yet? Huh? Beets? Um no. I was trying to remember if I had excluded them from my delivery options and then low and behold....beets arrived. I remember Jaime telling me about a couple ways she had prepared them and that they were really good. I had to get the recipes from her today!! LOL

Here is what we did;

I took the three biggest beets and drizzled them with olive oil and then then lightly salted and peppered them. I wrapped them in foil and put the on the grill next to the meat we were BBQ'ing.
(We are having some really nice weather here right now.) Jaime said to cook them like a potato and wait until I could easily insert a fork into them.They were on the grill for about 20-30 minutes.

Unwrapped....I could slice the beat with the side of my fork. I had to add a little more salt, but really it was kinda good. Jaime said if I could get the boys to eat enough, their pee would turn purple. I thought they might get a kick out of that, but they werent impressed enough with the prospect of purple urine to finish their beets.Oh well, I personnally will just have to wait and see. lol

The other 4 beets I chopped into small cubes, I sauteed them on the stove with some Olive oil, salt and pepper. Jaime had suggested some onions here...I didnt use onions I added some fresh pressed garlic. In hindsight I think the onions would have given them a little more flavor, but they turned out really well too.  I think of the two ways I prepared them, I prefered the method on the grill. They were much softer and flavorful.

If I get more beets next week, Im going to try pickling them. :o)

Broccoflower from space

     Getting these fresh veggies every week has been a lot of fun. I posted this pic on my facebook page, because...honestly, I didnt know what it was. I was scared. It is something I would have NEVER bought in a supermarket. My friends wer VERY helpful I was told it was a Romanesco broccoli or a Broccoflower.

     Hmmm...I was also given a suggestion to prepare it. So here is what I did;

I cut the broccoflower up in florets and steamed it to the point I could easily pierce it with a fork.
While it was steaming I had prepared a small dish with some melted butter and fresh pressed garlic.
I poured the the garlic butter over the freshly steamed broccoflower and lightly added some salt and pepper.

     It was delicious! The kids were not so sure of it. Im not too worried about the kids. I read that foods have to be introduced several times to a child before they decide if they like it or not. Every time you serve it, they see you eat it, they smell it, they taste it, they are getting to know the taste and consistency. My two bigger kids dont have any food aversions. Im not into forcing my children to eat. There is plenty of healthy options available in my home and we have very few unhealthy choices. The broccoflower was fun and delicious and it will be served again and again. They will like it eventually. :o)