Recipe: Roasted Beets With Balsamic Vinegar and Herbs

This easy, colorful dish makes a wonderful side that will vanish before your eyes! Plan ahead and make extra so you can enjoy these delicious beets for a few days.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds fresh whole beets
• 1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons finely diced red onion
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a roasting pan with foil. Remove stems and place beets in pan. Cover with another piece of foil, and roast until easily pierced with a fork — about 1 hour for medium beets, longer if the beets are large.
2. Let beets cool slightly; while still warm, peel and cut into bite-sized chunks. Place beets in mixing bowl and lightly toss with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, red onion and salt. Place in shallow serving bowl. Top with chives and parsley.

Ingredient health benefits

• Beets: That trademark deep red isn’t just for show, you know! Beets get their color from betalains, pigments that fight inflammation and help keep your cells at peak performance. Beets are also rich in fiber and nitrates, which can lower your blood pressure and may even boost your athletic ability.
• Extra virgin olive oil: There’s a lot to say about this cooking oil, but we’ll give you the quick sitch: Among many things, extra virgin olive oil (also called EVOO) is high in antioxidants, which help protect your cells from damage. And it has a polyphenol called hydroxytyrosol that fights inflammation, fungal and bacterial infections, and potentially even tumors.
• Onions: You don’t really hear influencers or food blogs touting the amazing benefits of onions, but rest assured, these alliums are loaded with nutrients. Onions have lots of antioxidants, and a flavonoid found in onions called quercetin may have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
• Parsley: This bitter herb is a natural diuretic, which helps your body shed extra water and salt (in other words, it makes you pee more). Under medical guidance, this can be beneficial in the long-term for people with certain conditions that affect the lungs, kidneys and heart.

Nutrition information (per serving)

Make 6 servings
Serving = 3/4 cup

Calories: 100 (35 calories from fat)
Total fat: 4 g
Saturated fat: 0.5 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 310 mg
Carbohydrate: 15 g
Dietary fiber: 4 g
Sugar: 11 g
Protein: 3 g

— Prevent & Reverse Heart Disease, by Caldwell B. Esselstyn Jr, MD.