[Food Series] Roasted Beet Salad with Walnuts and Gorgonzola

I was introduced to this flavor-packed beet salad many, many years ago by a dear friend and it has become a star dish in my repertoire. Throughout the years, this easy and nutritious beet salad has turned even the most avid beet haters into beet believers, including my husband! It is such a versatile dish that you can serve it at a fancy dinner party or bring it along on a camping trip (both of which I have done numerous times!)

Roasted Beet Salad with Walnuts and Gorgonzola
Roasted Beet Salad with Walnuts and Gorgonzola
Ingredients
1 Bunch of Beets (any color, but red are sweetest)
1/3 cup of Gorgonzola Cheese
1/3 cup of raw Walnuts
Arugula
2 tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Cracked Black Pepper
Remove the skin from your cooled, roasted beets, chop into 1/2 inch cubes and place into a bowl. Add the crumbled Gorgonzola Cheese, chopped walnuts, Balsamic Vinegar and Olive Oil and finish off with a touch of cracked black pepper. Toss and serve over a bed of arugula! It literally takes 5 minutes!
Beet Preparation:
Roasted: For roasted beets, I preheat my oven to 400 degrees, individually wrap my medium-sized beets in aluminum foil and place in the oven for about 45 minutes, turning occasionally until they are nice and tender. Check by sticking a fork easily through your beet. I use a paper towel to remove the skin. This is definitely my preferred method of cooking beets because it really highlights its rich, sweet flavor while holding all of its nutrition!
Boiled: You can also boil your beets. Stick them in a pot of boiling water, cover and cook on medium heat for 30-45 minutes or until they are tender enough to stick a fork easily through. When cool, use a paper towel to remove the skin.
Pre-made: If you don’t have time to cook beets and you live near a Trader Joe’s, they sell plain, boiled beets in their refrigerated section! I’ve done this when in a rush! Just open the package, rinse and cut!

[Food Series] Green Beans in Olive Oil (Zeytinyağlı Taze Fasulye)

The Turkish cuisine has so many fresh, healthy summertime dishes and there’s nothing like chilled green beans in olive oil (Zeytinyağlı Taze Fasulye) to remind me of the warm breezes of the Mediterranean. This dish is so incredibly easy to make ahead and nibble on throughout the week! It’s the perfect side dish or can shine as the star of the meal.

turkish cuisine
Green Beans in Olive Oil (Zeytinagli Taze Fasulye)

Ingredients:
1 pound of green beans
1 tomato
1 clove of garlic
4 green onions
1/3 cup of olive oil
1/3 cup of water
salt and pepper to taste

Prepare your green beans by trimming their tips. Finely chop the green onions (tender green tops included) and toss them into your pot with half of the olive oil and some salt and pepper for two minutes. Add the finely minced garlic to the pot and saute for another minute. Add the finely diced tomato to your pot and let it simmer for another 2 minutes. Finally add the green beans, the rest of the olive oil, a touch more salt and pepper and the water to the pot and stir. Turn the flame down to medium low, cover and go have a glass of wine! It should take about 20 minutes to cook. Don’t stir too often, but a couple of times throughout is fine. This dish best served chilled and is really yummy with Cold Cucumber and Yogurt Soup (Cacık)! A great way to stay cool in the summer!

[Food Series] Cold Cucumber and Yogurt Soup (Cacık)

This is, hands down, my favorite Turkish soup and a staple in our house, especially in the summer months. Since I have been asked by so many friends for the recipe, I figured you guys might enjoy it too! It takes less than 15 minutes to make, not to mention it’s really low cal and nutritious! My two year old devours this by the gallon. Win, Win, Win!

cold yogurt and cucumber soup turkish cacik
Cold Cucumber and Yogurt Soup (Cacık)

Ingredients:
6 Cups of Plain Yogurt
2 Cloves of Garlic
4 Persian Cucumbers
1 Cup of Water

Into a large bowl, grate the peeled cucumbers and use a zester or microplane to add the garlic. Dump the yogurt and water in and blend until it is smooth. I usually use a fork because it easily breaks up all of the lumps, but doesn’t aerate the yogurt. Chill and serve! That’s it, literally!

In our house, we usually prefer it on the thicker side, but feel free to add more water, in very small increments, to get it to the consistency that works for you. This dish is also delicious with finely chopped mint or dill, a drizzle of olive oil or served as a side dish with any yummy protein!