The other day I made myself one of the tastiest beet salads, all in the honor of my donating blood in a few days. Being a blood donor is my way of giving back to the community. Imagine a baby boomer afraid of needles donating blood; well that would be me.
After donating a little over three gallons of blood over the course of some years my fear of needles has gotten somewhat better. I always ask the technician to give me a few seconds so I can get myself mentally prepared before the initial stick. After that, I’m just fine as long as I look away from the arm where the blood is being drawn.
To ensure I have an adequate iron level before donating blood I like to eat foods high in iron. Raisins, walnuts, and spinach are my usual go-to foods but for some reason, I was craving a tasty beet salad. I always think of my mother when I have beets (God Rest Her Soul) because she would always eat them during the summer months. Baked Beet Chips are another food I sometimes like to have as a snack.
As a child beets were never my favorite. It’s amazing what a little adulthood can do for a person. Over the years I acquired the taste for beets and I must say they are now one of my favorite vegetables. It’s also the lovely memories I have of my mother and me in the kitchen when I was a child and her teasing me about how wonderful beets taste. Now I can smile and say she was right.
Sliced Beets
- 2 to 3 medium-sized roasted beets (cut into cubes)
- 1 grilled chicken breast (cut into strips)
- 1 oz. goat cheese or feta cheese
- 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 small shredded carrot
- 3 tablespoons Balsamic Dressing
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Wrap the beets in aluminum foil and place them in a baking dish.
- Bake the beets until tender approximately 40 to 45 minutes or (beets are tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife).
- Allow the beets to cool.
- Rub off skins with a paper towel.
- Slice the beets into cubes and place them in a bowl. Toss with 1 tablespoon of Balsamic dressing or dressing of your choice.
- Arrange romaine lettuce, grill strips of chicken, beets, shredded carrots, and goat cheese on a plate. Add Balsamic dressing then sprinkle ½ teaspoon pepper and ½ teaspoon salt or to taste. Serve immediately and enjoy.