Warm Beets with Walnuts

With the advent of warmer weather I've been craving beets. Yesterday I went to the store and bought two large bunches, intending to use them all.

I did.

Not totally familiar with cooking beets, I turned to the Joy of Cooking for the best methods. (Love that cooking Bible, by the way.) Noting they stated that walnuts paired well with beets, my taste buds were inclined to agree and so they were added. It was simple, slightly sweet and nearly devoured, mostly by me, in a single evening. Needless to say, this earthy little vegetable has made it to the top of my grocery list again this week!

Warm Beets with Walnuts
Serves 4 - 6

10 medium beets
1/4 c. butter
1/2 c. walnuts, chopped
2 T. brown sugar (see recipe below)
Sea salt

Brown Sugar
1 c. wholesome sugar/sweetener (my favorite here, I buy it at Costco)
1 T. blackstrap unsulphured molasses (carried by most health sections in your local store)

Mix together butter, walnuts and brown sugar. Set aside.

Cut off the beet leaves, leaving 1 to 2 inches of stem on the beets and the tails in tact. Scrub the beets well but leave the skins on. Place in a steaming basket and steam 45 - 60 minutes or until tender when pierced with a fork.

Plunge beets into cold water. Then, when cool enough to handle, slice off the stems and tails and remove the skins with your hands. They will simply slip off.

Chop beets and mix with butter, sugar and walnuts. Sprinkle with sea salt. Serve warm.