Two recipes
Posted: September 21, 2025 Filed under: Uncategorized 24 CommentsEvery week when I drive out to Ferme Tournesol to pick up my CSA basket, I choose vegetables with both cooking and painting possibilities in mind. Beets are always a favourite because they come with their greens intact, and I love how the dark, velvety beets look next to the red stems and the green leaves.
My painting recipe for the beets is to use Holbein Umber along with Alizarin Crimson, Ultramarine Blue, Hooker’s Green and a bit of Raw Sienna. The stems are mostly Alizarin and Ultramarine (in the dark areas). The bright green foliage is Hooker’s Green, Ultramarine and Hansa Yellow. This was painted with a very juicy brush on a half sheet of Arches Rough paper.
My (abbreviated) soup recipe is from my favourite Deborah Madison cookbook “Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone”, page 203. It uses not only beets but leeks and turnips that were in my basket this week. Make a stock from whatever vegetable bits you have around plus the beet skins and onion or leek tops. Cook the onion or leek in butter, add chopped beets and turnips and a bit of salt. Cook for 5 minutes. Strain the stock (you need 6 cups) and add it to the vegetables, cooking until tender. Add the chopped beet greens and some lemon juice. Serve with chopped fresh dill, pepper, and a spoonful of sour cream or yogourt.
Rarely eat beets but am about to start 😋
Let me know what you think when you eat one. You may not like them…
We eat cold beet salad with feta, I like that!
Correction w/ soft goat cheese and little bacon pieces
That sounds good too but beets and feta are a classic pair, at least for my Greek husband : )
Beets and feta are the best!
I’m hungry now.
Good! I hope you ate some beets!
My mind is a terrible thing. I read this: ‘My painting recipe for the beets is to use Holbein Umber’ and immediately thought ‘I’ve not heard of that herb ‘Holbein Umber’ before. I got hung up on your post title…🙄 I am such a fan of beets. Red or golden…I love them both. Your painting is lovely, Shari.
You made me smile, Lois! I am a fan of beets too. I had an amazing beet salad in Crete. If you like beets you may want to try this: https://30daysofgreekfood.com/easy-beet-salad/
Shari, this is absolutely stunning. As always, your color, brushwork and truth to the subject are amazing.
Jeff, I always love hearing from you. I hope all is well with you and Ellen, and hope you had a good summer.
I love this. The color of the beets against the pretty greens is beautiful.
Thanks Laura.
You painted these beets with such tenderness and beauty! You inspire me! We grow lots of veggies and fruits in our small backyard! I should start painting them!! Thanks for sharing your lovely watercolors with me!
Corinne Avery
Thanks so much Corinne.
It sounds delicious, thank you for sharing!
Thanks for having a look, Jane!
I always enjoy your paintings of your fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers. Your paintings amaze me. I believe you should compile these paintings and recipes in a book. What a beautiful book it would be.
De, I have often thought of that. In fact, we just created a book for our kids with all the family recipes. They loved it!
lovely paintings of these bounties
Beth, thanks!!
Both recipes are delicious!!!
Thanks Maureen!