The Fresh Beet Method:Check the notes on how to make them Gluten Free.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine European
Prep Time 10 minutesminutes
Cook Time 45 minutesminutes
resting 15 minutesminutes
Total Time 55 minutesminutes
Ingredients
4-5Beetsmedium to large
The Brine
2CWater
1CVinegarI used half White Wine half Cider Vinegar
1/2CSugar
1tspPickling Spice MixOptional Store bought or make your own
PinchSalt
Instructions
Prepping the Beets
Easy, start peeling all your Beets. I like this Method because I find it easier and less messy to peel Beets before they are cooked. Use gloves if you don't want your hands to look like they just slaughtered a small animal.
After Peeling, cut or slice the Beets, the thicker the slices or chunks the longer to cook but the firmer they will be in the end. If you go really thin or small you run a greater risk of over cooking. I like to slice mine a solid 1/2 inch think.
Making the Brine
Similar to the Down and Dirty method, measure all the Brine ingredients into a pot but this time add the Beets in too .Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to low and the put lid on.
After approximately 45-50 minutes you will have fresh sweet and tangy Beets. You will know they are done when a fork can be pushed through with ease. Add them to a Salad, eat them on their own or place them in a mason jar or other container and put them in the fridge for later.
Notes
The Brine recipe is proportional so if you have more or less Beets you can adjust the amount of Brine to suit. The basic proportions are: 1 part Water to 1/2 part Vinegar to 1/4 part Sugar. The Pickling Spice is about 1 tsp to 2 parts Water plus a pinch of Salt. As long as you use Cider Vinegar, White or Red Wine Vinegar or Sherry Vinegar as examples it will be Gluten. Plain White Vinegar is wheat based so it has Gluten. Using a pickling Spice is up to you, it will add more flavour which is always nice but if you don't have any don't let that stop you. At the end of the day any mixed handful of Spices from your cupboard will give it flavour so be creative and experiment.