LIFE And the beets go on

Golden variety sweeter and milder — great on the grill

Beets can be a polarizing food — many love the earthy sweetness of this vibrantly coloured root vegetable, whereas others simply think they taste like dirt.

Here are two salads that use golden beets — they have a milder flavour and are slightly sweeter than regular beets, and are less messy to boot! Feel free to substitute with any beets you have on hand.

Have you ever made a salad on the grill?

Grilling the main ingredients in our Golden Beet And Fennel Salad brings out the natural sweetness of these vegetables, which are combined with orange slices and peppery arugula in a tangy, citrus dressing.

Crumbled goat cheese adds saltiness and contrast to this summery salad.

We keep the main ingredients raw and crunchy in our Kohlrabi And Beet Salad, highlighting the flavours of the sweet nectarine, savoury feta, fresh mint and zippy balsamic honey mustard dressing.

ATCO Blue Flame Kitchen’s new From the Grill cookbook is in stores and online. For tips on cooking, food safety or household matters, call 1-877-420-9090 toll-free, email bfkanswerline@ atco.com or chat live online at ATCOBlueFlameKitchen.com. 1. Place beets in centre of a large piece of heavy-duty foil. Drizzle with canola oil. Bring edges of foil together to form a packet; close all edges with tight double folds. 2. Place beet packet on barbecue grid on natural gas barbecue and cook over medium heat until beets are tender, about 1 — 11/2 hours. Remove from heat. 3. Open beet packet. When cool enough to handle, peel beets and cut into wedges. There should be about 8 cups (2 L); refrigerate. 4. Cut each fennel bulb in half lengthwise and cut out core; discard core. Cut halves lengthwise into 1/4-inch (6-mm) slices. There should be about 8 cups (2 L). 5. Combine fennel, olive oil and 1 tsp (5 mL), salt in a bowl.

6. Place fennel in a grill wok or on a grill topper and grill over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until fennel is tender and lightly browned, about 30 — 35 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.

7. Meanwhile, to prepare dressing, place orange juice, lemon juice, lime juice, honey and 1/4 1. To prepare dressing, whisk together oil, vinegar, honey, mustard and salt until blended 2. Combine kohlrabi, beets, nectarine, almonds, cheese and mint in a bowl. 3. Add dressing and toss to combine. Serves 8.

PHOTO ATCO BLUE FLAME KITCHEN 6 unpeeled large golden yellow beets, trimmed tbsp (30 mL) canola oil large fennel bulbs, bases trimmed and stems removed tbsp (30 mL) extra-virgin olive oil tsp (5 mL) salt cup (60 mL) fresh orange juice cup (60 mL) fresh lemon juice tbsp (30 mL)...