I am a big fan of beets. My favorite way of eating this vegetable is warm pure. Recently, I came across of tapenade made of black olives and beets. It is so delicious. Even my partner, who never eats beets, enjoyed it. According to ‘Healing with Whole Foods; Asian traditions and Modern nutrition’ eating beets has following benefits:
- Strengthen the heart
- Improve circulation
- Purify blood
- Benefit liver
- Moisten the intestines
- Treats constipation
- Promote menstruation
- Together with carrots – regulate hormones during menopause
- Treats nervousness
There is a number of nutrients in beets, like folates, niacin (B-3), pantothenic acid (B-5), pyridoxine (B-6) and minerals such as iron, manganese, copper, and magnesium. What is more beets are a unique source of phytonutrients called betalains. Betanin and vulgaxanthin are the two best-studied betalains from beets, and both have been shown to provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification support. In recent lab studies on human tumor cells, betanin pigments from beets have been shown to lessen tumor cell growth through a number of mechanisms, including inhibition of pro-inflammatory enzymes (specifically, cyclooxygenase enzymes). The tumor cell types tested in these studies include tumor cells from colon, stomach, nerve, lung, breast, prostate and testicular tissue.
Tapenade
- Gluten free
- Dairy free
- Egg free
- Nuts free
- Sugar free
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Paleo
Needed appliances
- Kitchen processor
- Pan to boil beets (unless you buy already boiled beets)
Ingredients
- Boiled beets (2 big or 3 small)
- Black olives (4-5 spoons)
- Basilicum leaves (half a cup)
- Olive oil (a couple of spoons; to your preference)
- Lemon juice (from half a lemon)
- Salt
Preparation steps
- Boil beets and peel them
- Place boiled cooled beets, black olives and basilicum leaves together in a kitchen processor. Pulse till desired consistency
- Add olive oil, lemon juice and salt and mix together
This tapenade is excellent on bread/cracker but also with fish and meat at dinner.
Enjoy,
Kati xxx
