Jamie Olivers Smoked Beets Recipe 55

JAMIE OLIVER'S SMOKED BEETS RECIPE - (5/5)

Steps:

• First, light your charcoal barbecue or fire. Wash the beets and snip off the greens, reserving them. Fold a large piece of foil -- about 12-18" (24-36" unfolded), depending on the size of your beets -- in half to form a double layer. Lay the greens, then the beets, then the rosemary on top of the foil. (Note: if you don't have greens with your beets -- or want to save them to cook separately -- that's okay, just make sure the coals are at medium heat, not flaming, when you add your packet of beets.) 2. Roll up the foil, folding in the edges and twisting the ends together. Stab the foil a few times all over with a knife to allow the smoke to get inside and flavor the beets. Lift the rack of your barbecue with tongs and carefully insert your foil package among the coals, making sure you place some coals on top too. 3. Leave it to cook for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the beets are tender, then remove the package and allow it to cool down. Unwrap it and remove the beets, discarding the greens and rosemary sprigs. 4. Once cooled slightly, peel the beets and discard the charred skin. The skins should slip right off, but if they don't, gently scrape them away with the back of a paring knife. Cut the beets into irregular chunks and place in a bowl. Add the vinegar, 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, plenty of salt and pepper and half the parsley and tarragon. Toss, have a taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. 5. Put the cottage cheese into a bowl and add the juice and finely grated zest from half your lemon. Stir in 2 glugs of extra virgin olive oil, the thyme leaves and some salt and pepper and gently fold it all together, so the oil and lemon marble through the cottage cheese. Taste the dressing and squeeze in a bit more lemon juice if you like. 6. To serve, divide the dressed beets between four salad plates. Top each plate with a spoonful of cottage cheese dressing. Scatter over the remaining herbs and enjoy!

SEARED CARPACCIO OF BEEF WITH ROASTED BABY BEETS, CREAMED HORSERADISH, WATERCRESS AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C/gas 8).
• Wash and scrub the beets, trim the ends, and toss into a large piece of foil with a little oil, balsamic vinegar, and seasoning. Wrap and roast until tender. Cooking time depends on size.
• Mix the rosemary salt and pepper on a board. Roll and press the fillet of beef over this, making sure all sticks to the meat. In a very hot, ridged pan, or on a barbecue, sear the meat until brown and slightly crisp on all sides, around 5 minutes. Remove from the pan. Allow it to rest for 5 minutes, then slice it all up as thinly as you can. Lay the slices on a large plate.
• After preparing the beef, sprinkle the roasted beetroots randomly (whole, halved or quartered, depending on size) over the sliced meat. Now mix the horseradish and creme fraiche together. It has to be seasoned well, usually needing a little white wine vinegar or lemon juice. Dribble this over the beetroots. Dress some watercress with olive oil and lemon juice. Then scatter this, along with some small slivers of shaved Parmesan, all over the plate and get ready to tuck in!

FOIL-ROASTED SMOKED BEETS - JAMIE OLIVER

Steps:

• Tear a large square of heavy duty aluminum foil. Place half the beet leaves on the foil. Pile beets and rosemary on the leaves, then cover with the remaining leaves. Wrap foil tightly around beets. Prick package all over with the tip of a small knife.
• Bury the package in hot coals on your grill (or place in a 500 degree oven) for 40 minutes or until tender. Test by poking with the tip of knife; if it slides into the center and then out again without sticking, they're done.
• Discard rosemary and beet leaves. Peel away any very burned areas on the beetroots. Cut into bite sized chunks. Roll parsley and tarragon together and shred into chiffonade. Dress beets with vinegar, salt, pepper, olive oil, tarragon and parsley. Serve with medium-rare steaks.