Serve a sensational seasonal side

It’s the season of celebrations, and that means plenty of occasions for entertaining at home or “bringing a dish.” And time-starved as everyone is during this busiest of seasons, we’re looking for something to fit the criteria: delicious and quick.

With four simple ingredients, and just a few minutes of your time, you can prepare Orange-Glazed Beets. This side dish is equally good served warm or at room temperature, and can be made ahead and gently reheated if necessary. The ingredients are probably in your pantry and refrigerator right now: a jar of Aunt Nellie’s pickled beets, an orange, cornstarch and brown sugar.

For the sauce, sweet-tangy beet liquid and orange juice are thickened with cornstarch and sweetened with a hint of brown sugar. Then the pickled beets and orange peel are added to the sauce. That’s it. The subtle spiciness of the beets paired with orange is a perfect side for a beef or pork roast, poultry…or potluck.

Keep these antioxidant-rich beets, harvested at the peak of ripeness, then pickled and jarred, on hand for a quick side dish any time. Enjoy straight from the jar, chilled, or heated. They can even be microwaved in the jar; be sure to remove the lid first.

For additional pickled beet recipes and serving suggestions, visit http://www.AuntNellies.com

Orange-Glazed Beets
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 3 minutes
Makes 4 servings

1 jar (16 ounces) Aunt Nellie’s Whole or Sliced Pickled Beets
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons orange peel
Orange peel for garnish (optional)

1. Drain beets; reserve 1/2 cup liquid. Cut whole beets in half.

2. In medium saucepan combine beet liquid and orange juice. Stir in cornstarch until completely dissolved. Add brown sugar, stirring to dissolve sugar.

3. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture is thickened and clear, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in beets and 2 teaspoons peel. Garnish with additional peel if desired.

Note: Recipe can be doubled. Recipe can be prepared a day in advance of serving. Reheat over medium-low heat.

Nutrition information per serving (1/4 of recipe): 102 calories; 0 g protein;
22 g carbohydrate; 0 g fat; 216 mg sodium; 0 mg cholesterol; 0 g dietary fiber; 
0 mg iron; 0 mg thiamin; 35 IU vitamin A; 5 mg vitamin C.
   
Courtesy of Family Features. Source: Aunt Nellie’s Beets (Seneca Foods Corporation).