Creamy Ruby Baked Beets Gratin: The Ultimate Comfort Side Dish for Winter

Sweet, tender, and beautifully earthy, the humble beet undergoes a magnificent transformation in this recipe for Ruby Cream Baked Beets Gratin. Layered with aromatic ingredients and slowly baked to creamy perfection, this dish offers a stunning, jewel-toned side that brings warmth and elegance to any winter table. It’s an extra special comfort food, ideal for those chilly evenings when you crave something both hearty and vibrant.

As the vibrant hues of autumn fade, a familiar chill settles over the landscape, marking the true arrival of winter. Here in Alberta, that means a complete shift in our daily rhythm, embracing the season with gusto – and a good deal of indoor coziness. The last few weeks’ unexpected tropical hiatus of above-seasonal temperatures has vanished, giving way to the crisp, undeniable grip of true Canadian winter. The thermometer has consistently dipped to -20°C in the evenings, prompting us to tuck our chickens snugly into their coop, and even our intrepid Pippa only manages a few minutes of treat-begging at the back door before retreating to her delightful, heatlamp-warmed, hay-lined nest in the chicken shed’s front room. As for me, I find immense joy in staying happily indoors, venturing out only for brief stints to tend to the animals and collect fresh eggs. My days are now filled with steaming mugs of hot tea, the comforting embrace of woolly slippers, and dedicated hours catching up on online courses – often interspersed with a little “procrasti-baking” for good measure.

Embracing Winter Warmth: The Art of Comfort Cooking

This seasonal shift naturally dictates a change in our culinary inclinations. The light salads and grilled fare of summer are replaced by the deep, rich flavors of winter comfort food. Our menus now feature hearty curries, soul-satisfying stews, and succulent, long-slow braises and roasts. When planning these substantial meals, I always look for ways to streamline the cooking process without sacrificing flavor. That’s why I absolutely adore oven-baked side dishes. The convenience of simply popping a delicious accompaniment into the oven alongside a roasting piece of meat means less last-minute fuss and more time to relax and enjoy the warmth of home.

This hearty, flavor-loaded dish of creamy baked beets is precisely the kind of recipe that hits all the right winter comfort notes. It embodies that rich, caramelized depth you expect from perfectly roasted root vegetables, with its earthy sweetness beautifully amplified by a touch of aromatic caraway seeds, the gentle bite of mild onions, and the pungent warmth of sharp garlic. A generous drizzle of heavy cream introduces a luxurious juiciness, binding all these elements into a silky, glistening jumble of ruby shreds. These baked beets are an absolute triumph alongside classic winter mains like a savory pork or beef roast, a comforting meatloaf, or a perfectly golden roast chicken. Their vibrant color and deeply satisfying sweet earthiness infuse a wonderful sense of warmth and comfort into any meal.

The Underrated Star: Why Beets Deserve a Spotlight

The poor, humble beet is too often relegated to the sidelines, frequently overlooked and not invited to the popular veggies’ dinner parties. This is a true shame, as this root vegetable truly deserves to be pulled out of hiding and allowed to shine as the star of the show every now and then. When given the chance, beets impress not only with their rich magenta color, but also with their distinctive sweet, earthy flavor and their incredibly amped-up nutritional profile. These vibrant root vegetables are remarkably good for you, offering a bit of almost all the essential nutrients you need daily. They are notably low in calories yet remarkably high in fiber and a powerful array of antioxidants.

The health benefits of incorporating beets into your diet are extensive. They are well-known for their potential to help reduce high blood pressure, thanks to their rich content of nitrates which the body converts into nitric oxide, a compound that relaxes and dilates blood vessels. Furthermore, their antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds contribute to reducing inflammation throughout the body, supporting overall cellular health. Beets also play a role in supporting brain health by improving blood flow and cognitive function, and their high fiber content is excellent for promoting healthy digestion and regularity. All these fantastic benefits come packed in a deliciously sweet and versatile veggie package that can be enjoyed in countless ways. This gratin highlights just how delectable and comforting healthy eating can be.

Just look at that gorgeous color! The deep, glistening ruby red is simply irresistible. I can’t wait to dig in and savor every creamy, tender bite.

Indeed, beets are my heroes – for their flavor, their versatility, and their incredible health benefits.

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Tips for Perfect Ruby Cream Baked Beets

Kitchen Frau Notes: Beets and caraway seeds share a remarkable natural affinity. The subtle, slightly anise-like flavor of caraway perfectly complements the earthy sweetness of beets, creating a harmonious and truly delicious pairing. Beyond their delightful taste, caraway seeds are also known for their natural digestive aid properties, making this dish not only enjoyable but also beneficial. However, if caraway isn’t to your taste or isn’t available, you can easily substitute it with dried tarragon, which offers some similar intriguing flavor notes. Alternatively, feel free to omit the caraway altogether if you prefer to let the pure beet flavor shine.

For those who appreciate a textural contrast, adding a little crunch on top of the creamy baked beets can elevate the dish further. A handful of chopped, toasted walnuts sprinkled over the gratin just before serving offers a wonderful nutty texture and flavor. If you’re looking to add a touch of vibrant color and fresh herbaceousness, a sprinkle of finely chopped fresh parsley is a fantastic addition. However, rest assured, these Ruby Cream Baked Beets are absolutely delicious and utterly satisfying just as they are, straight from the oven.

For best results, choose firm, fresh beets. Avoid any with soft spots or excessive damage. While red beets are featured here for their stunning color, you could experiment with golden beets for a different visual and slightly milder flavor profile. Just be aware that combining red beets with other colors in a gratin will likely result in everything turning pink due to the potent pigment of red beets!

Ruby Cream Baked Beets Gratin

A Delectable and Easy Winter Side Dish

• 4 medium-large red beets (approximately 1¼ lbs / 565 g), yielding about 4 cups once peeled & shredded
• ½ small red or yellow onion, very finely diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon caraway seeds (or dried tarragon for an alternative flavor)
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
• A generous sprinkling of freshly ground black pepper
• ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream or whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• A handful of chopped, toasted walnuts and/or chopped fresh parsley – optional, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Prepare Your Oven: Preheat your oven to a comforting 350°F (180°C). This ensures even baking and a beautifully caramelized finish.
2. Shred the Beets: Begin by peeling the beets with a sturdy vegetable peeler or a sharp paring knife. It’s helpful to leave the root end attached during peeling and shredding, as it provides a convenient handhold. Using the large holes of a box grater, carefully shred the peeled beets. If you prefer, you can trim off the root ends and use a food processor with the shredding attachment for a quicker process. You should aim for approximately 4 cups of shredded beets in total.
3. Layer the Gratin: Select an ungreased casserole dish, a deep-dish pie plate, or a 10-inch pie plate. Spread exactly half of the shredded beets evenly across the bottom of the dish.
4. Add Aromatics and Seasoning: Over this first layer of beets, evenly sprinkle the finely diced onion, minced garlic, caraway seeds (or tarragon if using), fine sea salt, and a good dusting of fresh black pepper.
5. Complete the Beet Layers: Carefully spread the remaining shredded beets over the onion and seasoning mixture, gently smoothing them down to create an even top layer.
6. Cream and Butter: Slowly and deliberately drizzle the heavy cream over the entire surface of the shredded beets, trying to moisten as much of the top layer as possible. Dot the top evenly with the small ¼ teaspoon bits of butter. These butter pieces will melt into the gratin, adding richness and helping with caramelization.
7. Initial Bake (Covered): Cover the dish securely with a lid or by pressing tin foil firmly around the edges to create a close seal. This traps the moisture, allowing the beets to steam and become wonderfully tender. Bake for 45 minutes.
8. Final Bake (Uncovered): After 45 minutes, carefully remove the lid or foil. This allows the top layer to brown slightly and the cream to reduce and thicken, creating that perfect gratin texture. Continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, uncovered.
9. Serve: Once baked, remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. If desired, garnish with chopped toasted walnuts and/or fresh parsley for added flavor and visual appeal.

This delightful gratin serves 4-5 people as a generous side dish.

Guten Appetit! Enjoy this wonderfully comforting and vibrant dish.

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You might also enjoy these other beet-inspired recipes:

Basil Beet Salad: A Fresh and Flavorful Twist

Beets with Sour Cherry Sauce: A Sweet and Tangy Delight

Purple Power Slaw: Vibrant, Healthy, and Crunchy

Fettuccine with Beet, Smoked Salmon and Feta: A Unique and Colorful Pasta