Harvest Beets
3 whole beets, scrubbed
2 qts boiling water
Sauce:
1/3 cup cold water
1 Tbs corn starch
2 Tbs sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 C white vinegar
1/3 C reserved beet cooking liquid
2 Tbs butter
Cut tops and root ends off of beets. Wear an apron and use a cutting board; beets stain with a purple vengeance. Add to boiling water and cover pot. Cook until tender. Depending on the size of your beets, this can take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour. When they are fork tender, remove them from the water (do not drain the water, you'll need some of it later) and run under cold tap water until the beets are cool enough to handle. Remove skin with paring knife and cut beets into bite-size cubes. In a small sauce pan, combine cold water and cornstarch until there are no lumps. Add salt, vinegar and beet liquid. Cook until thick. Remove from heat and melt butter in the sauce. Pour sauce over beets.
I serve these beets as a side to meatloaf or Veggie Meatballs, because they both start with 'M', as in 'mmmmmmm'.