Make Ahead

Baby Beet & Basil Spread

by:
July  8, 2010
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0 Ratings
Baby Beet & Basil Spread
  • Serves 4
Author Notes

Basil and beets, two of my favorite foods and did you know? They go great together! I was thinning the beet patch yesterday and enjoyed a great dinner of beet greens. I couldn't waste those baby beets so boiled them up. Today I remembered your contest and concocted the Baby Beet & Basil Spread. I was so pleased with the results and hope you will try it. You won't regret it. The combination of baby beets and basil combined with the tartness of lime and the creaminess of the cream cheese just melts in your mouth. It is a very simple recipe using fresh beets, basil, cream cheese, a bit of lime juice, salt and pepper then pulse them together in the processor and voila! A delicious appetizer (and colorful I might add). Try it over a grilled piece of rustic bread or your favorite cracker or for breakfast with another of my favorite foods, bacon! —DigNDine

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 20 Baby Beets
  • 20 Fresh Basil Leaves
  • 2 ounces Cream Cheese
  • 2 tablespoons Lime Juice
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
  • 4 pieces Rustic French Bread
Directions
  1. Boil baby beets until fork tender. Allow beets to cool then peel skin off.
  2. Place beets, 15 fresh basil leaves, cream cheese, lime juice, salt and pepper into food processor and pulse until somewhat smooth consistency.
  3. Toast or grill french bread.
  4. Smear each slice of bread with prepared Baby Beet & Basil Spread. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and left over chopped basil. Garnish with a sprig of more fresh basil and enjoy!
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4 Reviews

Jill J.
Jill J. November 23, 2013
This was delicious. I made a few adjustments...Instead of blending the beets into the spread, I sliced them and put them on top. I also added a little bit of feta to the spread (and omitted the salt). Then I found some leftover baked feta (feta, olive oil, garlic) in the fridge, so I crumbled that on top of beets. FANTASTIC! The garlic brings out the flavor even more. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
 
lapadia
lapadia August 12, 2010
COOL...are beets are waiting to be used, I love this idea, printed the recipe, hope to make this real soon!
 
lapadia
lapadia August 20, 2010
"our beets"...I really do know how to spell!
 
FanseeFido
FanseeFido July 9, 2010
WOW! is all I can say. I tried it and am awed by how good this is! Thanks for the recipe!