Beet Yogurt Salad

I have very special memories attached to beets. Once, while preparing a weekend lunch for the entire family, my mom tasked me with grating the beets, and I vividly remember that unique recipe. As a child and in my early teens, I frequently helped my mom and sister in cooking, and grating beets was always a fun task—I would always be surprised by the red stains on my hands that wouldn't wash off easily.

This colorful salad is a feast for the eyes and taste buds. The deep purplish hue of the beetroot contrasts beautifully with bright yellow corn, vibrant green pesto, and the pure whiteness of yogurt (or coconut cream to make the recipe vegan). Can you imagine your salad plate with such striking colors? It's nature's wonderful gift—colors that no human can mimic!

Some years back in London, during a weekend retreat at a friend's spacious kitchen, our host had purchased a variety of organic vegetables and fruits. After preparing a colorful lunch, I noticed some beets sitting unused, and memories of my beet adventures flooded back. So we made a beetroot yogurt salad. When we set the table, the colors were gorgeous and inviting, and after a moment of reflection, our guests enjoyed a delightful meal.

The Health Benefits of Beets

When choosing a beetroot, select one that feels heavy for its size, is unbruised, and shows no surface damage. It's best to buy beets with fresh green tops—the leaves are edible too, and you can juice them or add them to a vegetable stock.

Many people leave these red beauties on the plate as mere decoration, without understanding their valuable health benefits. The deep purplish-red hue comes from betanin, a powerful anthocyanin that supports cardiovascular health and natural detoxification. The choline in beetroot supports skin, eye, and liver health as well as sleep, muscle movement, learning, and memory.