Should the water be boiling before putting the beets in the water?

i generally tend to put them in already-boiling water, and from reading the recipe, that's what i would infer. SKK, i'll have to try your method, though, because i never have. in this particular case, it sounds like you could go either way -- as long as your beets get cooked

I have not made this recipe and when I cook beets I put them in cold water - skins on and bring water to a boil, pit in seasonings, then turn down to medium and cook until tender. Time depends on the size of the beets.