Beauty and the Beets

beets in solar cooker pan

The beets at the farmer's market this weekend looked gorgeous, inspiring me to take them home and roast them in the solar oven.  Washed and plunked into the black enameled pot, with their lush greens chopped off, their only sensual appeal remaining was the earthy, mineral-y smell that red beets exude.

Sliced beets with goat cheese and orange-balsamic glaze

After the knife attested to perfect doneness, I put one in the fridge to chill, then peeled and sliced it.  With a sprinkle of salt on each bite-size morsel, and an orange juice-balsamic vinegar reduction to glaze them, the bites became dazzling jewel-toned eye-catchers.  A little dollop of goat cheese for each rounded out the flavors to create a true amuse bouche.