Beef Tartare is a classic french dish that can be eaten at the terraces of Parisian Bistros. Relatively simple to make, beef tartare is meaty, filling, and incredibly tasty. Tartare is usually made with raw beef meat, thinly diced. It is then mixed with capers, herbs, cornichons, a raw egg yolk, and a mustard sauce. In this recipe, I am swapping the beef for beets. This beets tartare is almost a trompe-l’oeil. The beet brings an earthy and sweet flavor to the dish. The radishes and onion bring freshness to the dish. This dish, served with fresh sourdough bread, will blow your mind.

What are the benefits of eating beets?

Beets are earthy root vegetables. They are low in calories (44 calories for 100g), rich in fibers, and loaded with nutrients such as folate and manganese. A serving (100g) of beets covers 20% of the recommended daily dose of folate. Folate (vitamin B-9) ensures red blood cell formation and helps form DNA and RNA. Moreover, the pigments that give the beet its dark red color, betalains, are rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidants properties. 

And for my fellow athletes, beets might also boost athletic performance!

Do beets improve athletic performance?

Beets are rich in dietary nutrients that can enhance athletic performance when consumed a couple of hours before training. According to studies, beets and beet juice can improve endurance by boosting cardiorespiratory performance. They can also increase the blood flow to muscles which increases muscle function.

Are beets high in sugar?

There are 8g of sugar in a serving of beets (100g). However, beets are also relatively high in fibers that trap and slow sugar absorption.

Ingredients

Tartare

  • 2 medium beets, cooked, diced
  • 6 radishes, diced
  • 1 red onion, diced
  • ½ cup chives, thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup capers
  • ¼ cup walnuts
  • 2 Sourdough toasts

Sauce

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp tahini
  • 1 tbsp mustard
  • 3 tsp red wine vinegar

Method

  1. Thinly dice the beets, red onion and radishes. Transfer into a bowl.
  2. In another bowl, mix the sauce ingredients together.
  3. Pour the sauce onto the beet mix.
  4. In a 4 inches cooking ring (or cookie cutter), add the beets. Slightly press. Remove the cooking ring.
  5. Top with chives, capers, and walnuts.
  6. Serve with toasted sourdough bread.
Nutrition Breakdown

cals: 369.7 • fat: 17.8g • protein: 11.1g • carbs: 44.5g

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