not pink!

Anyone who knows me usually teases me about my dislike of all things pink. While I will make an exception for Hello Kitty, I still prefer the classic red and white. But beets turn everything they touch pink!
Ryan's lunch: Sweet & Sara toasted coconut marshmallow; piece of vanilla raspberry cake from Hippie Chick Bakery; blanched spinach w/toasted sesame seeds; mixed salt nuts; mini cucumber slices; beet stems fried rice.

Beet Stem Fried Rice

1 T. canola or peanut oil
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup thinly chopped
carrot
1 1/2 cups cooked rice
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 cup chopped beet
stems
1 T. finely chopped scallion
1 tsp. soy sauce

Heat oil over med-high heat in non-stick skillet or wok. Add onion & carrot. Cook for not more than 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add remaining ingredients. Cook another 2-3 minutes, stirring regularly.

So now you have another use for beet stems besides soups! I like to blanch the greens mixed with spinach. And I either roast or steam the beet root itself. But when I steam it, there's a cup or so of intense deep pink liquid leftover. It seems a shame to waste it...put it in a soup? But it's so good for dying! Don't feel like tie-dying your underwear or your favourite dishtowel today? I don't blame you.
If you have kids, or want to make a cool handmade gift for one, try using the leftover steaming water for playdough! Here's my recipe:

Magenta Playdough

1 cup flour
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 1/2 T. cream of tartar
1/2 cup salt
1 T. canola oil
1 cup water from
steaming beets

Combine all ingredients in
a pot. Stir constantly over
medium-high heat. When
it forms a ball, cook for
about 1 more minute until
dough begins to firm.

Allow to cool, kneading
every so often as it cools.
Store in an airtight con-
tainer.

Here is AJ making a playdough maze. Nate requested white playdough for his birthday in the beginning of August, and the playdough is still nice and soft.