I like pickled beets. But I mentally associate them with salads. I find I only eat them when I see them on a salad bar or buy them for my salads at home. I never see them as an ingredient in a dish. I even tried to Google recipes using pickled beets, only to get recipes for pickled beets and salads.
This month I was invited to play along with Kitchen Play’s progressive dinner party using Aunt Nelly’s Pickled Beets. It’s a sponsored event where six bloggers are challenged to incorporate the same product into their assigned course. I was assigned the appetizer!
At first I thought of a minced beet and goat cheese with arugula on a crostini. Then I thought no, maybe a egg salad sandwich deconstructed. But that didn’t seem to incorporate the product very well. Then I went with a beet, apple, and goat cheese spread with mint and candied pecans. Third idea is a charm! I almost ate the whole batch as my dinner that night.
Pickled beets, sweet apples and tangy goat cheese make this zippy spread, and the mint complements the snappy dish while giving it that green freshness and the sweetness and crunch of the candied nuts take it over the top. It perfect for any time of the year but with it’s pretty red color, it would be fun to have on such occasions as the Valentines, 4th of July or Christmas.
To have even more fun with Aunt Nellie’s full line of glass-packed vegetables, sign up here to receive a coupon good toward the purchase price of any Aunt Nellie’s product. Then, create your own fun dish using that product for a chance to win $250 from Aunt Nellie’s and Kitchen PLAY. See specific rules at Kitchen PLAY. Limited quantities available. Sweepstakes ends 8/15/12.
Apple, Beet and Goat Cheese Spread with Fresh Mint and Candied Pecans
1 jar (16 oz) Aunt Nellie’s Sliced Pickled Beets
1 lg apple, cut into large chunks
2 oz goat cheese
Fresh Mint leaves
Candied Pecans, chopped
Crackers
Pulse beets, apple, and goat cheese in a food processor until combined.
Serve spread on crackers garnished with a fresh mint leave and top with chopped pecans
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I would never have thought of this combination with the apple and mint but now I can’t wait to try it. Yum.
I love the flavor combination in your Apple, Beet and goat cheese spread. What a perfect dip for gatherings and parties.
Can’t wait to give it a try.
Great play with flavors. I love the addition of apple in this spread. I imagine it gives the spread a little sweetness. Will have to remember this recipe for our next cook-out with friends.
I love the unique flavor combination of the mint with the beets and goat cheese….and the apple adds just the right amount of sweet!
When I first saw the color of this spread I thought: raspberries. And then I read the title
This is the first time I hear about beet – apple – goat cheese combo, but it sounds very good. I should give it a try some day. Thanks for sharing!
p.s. I got here from Barbara’s Evo post looking for your soup, but I don’t see it here yet. I guess I will have to come back