Hearty Beet and Barley Servings Topped with Beet Green Pesto
Explore a delightful new recipe for vegetarian power bowls that are packed with nutritious ingredients and bursting with flavour. These bowls feature a base of sturdy, protein-rich barley, sweet roasted beets, and savoury roasted mushrooms.
The Simplicity of Roasting Beets
Roasting beets in foil packets is a simple and less messy approach compared to peeling and chopping them beforehand. Simply season the beets with salt, pepper, olive oil, and wrap them in foil. After roasting, the skins can be easily removed with minimal effort.
The Unique Flavour of Roasted Mushrooms
Roasting mushrooms until they are almost crispy provides a distinctive flavour and texture to the recipe. Not only is this method quicker than frying them on the stovetop, but it also helps to bring out their richness and umami, which would otherwise only be found in meat.
Beet Green Pesto: A Versatile Ingredient
The beet green pesto is a star ingredient in these power bowls, adding a unique flavour profile that helps to mask the overt earthiness that frequently turns people off of beets and beet greens. This pesto is a variation on traditional Italian pesto sauce that uses beet greens as the base.
To make the beet green pesto, blanch the beet greens to remove any uncomfortable bitterness, then combine them with garlic, nuts (pistachios, almonds, or cashews), Parmesan cheese, olive oil, a few leaves of basil and parsley, orange zest, vinegar, honey, and lemon juice.
This pesto can be used as a surface to smother on various dishes, and it also helps to make the recipe waste-nothing, as no part of the beet goes to waste.
Beet Green Pesto Variations
For those seeking different flavour profiles, various beet green pesto variations can be created by mixing beet greens with other nuts, herbs, and leafy greens. Popular pesto variations inspired by beet greens include arugula pistachio pesto, spinach pesto, and zucchini pesto.
Substitutes for Beets in Cooking
If beets are not available or preferred, there are several substitutes that can be used depending on the desired role of beets in the recipe. For colour and sweetness, roasted carrots or roasted red bell peppers provide a sweet, earthy flavour and vivid colour similar to beets.
For a leafy green substitute in pesto, spinach, kale, Swiss chard, or arugula can replace beet greens with slightly different flavours but similar texture and nutrients. For added nutty richness in pesto, cashews or almonds can substitute traditional pine nuts or pistachios with a creamy texture.
If using beetroot itself (the root), alternatives depend on the recipe purpose—such as adding earthy sweetness or colour. Roasted golden beets can be swapped with red beets for colour variation or even roasted sweet potatoes or pumpkin for texture.
Basic Beetroot Pesto Preparation
Basic beetroot pesto preparation includes roasting and peeling beets to remove bitterness, then blending them with nuts (pistachios, pine nuts, or almonds), garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Adding lemon juice or red pepper flakes for brightness or spice helps to round out the flavour.
To adapt this to beet greens, lightly blanch the greens before blending to reduce bitterness, then combine them with nuts, garlic, cheese, and oil.
In summary, these power bowls are a wonderful addition to any vegetarian meal plan. The beet green pesto variations and substitutes provide flexibility for using beet components in diversified, flavourful dishes. Enjoy!
[1] Beet Green Pesto Recipe
[2] Beet Green Pesto Variations
[3] Roasted Beets and Carrots Recipe
[4] Red Bell Pepper Recipes
[5] Zucchini Pesto Recipe
- The roasting process for beets is simpler and less messy, as they can be seasoned with salt, pepper, olive oil, wrapped in foil, and then easily peeled after roasting.
- Roasting mushrooms until they are almost crispy adds a unique flavour and texture to dishes, making it quicker and healthier compared to frying them on the stovetop.
- Beet green pesto, a variation on traditional Italian pesto sauce, adds a unique flavour profile to vegetarian power bowls, helping to mask the earthiness of beets that may be off-putting to some.
- Beet green pesto can be used as a versatile ingredient, creating different flavour profiles by mixing it with various nuts, herbs, and leafy greens, such as arugula pistachio pesto, spinach pesto, or zucchini pesto.
