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Salads

Beetroot Salad (Beetroot Salad)

sjfegan

(0)
4
Servings

Ingredients

  • 4 beetroots, boiled and peeled
  • 3 tbsp vinegar
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • A few chopped chives, to garnish

Method

  1. Slice the boiled, peeled beetroot thinly.
  2. Whisk together the vinegar, sugar, oil, salt and pepper.
  3. Arrange the beetroot slices on a serving plate and pour over the dressing.
  4. Garnish with chopped chives before serving.

Introduction: Boiled beetroot sliced and dressed with vinegar, a simple and colourful side dish found across Victorian British tables.

Cultural Background: Beetroot, boiled and pickled or simply dressed with vinegar, was a common feature of Victorian salads and cold table spreads, its vivid colour and earthy sweetness offering a distinctive contrast to the era’s often heavier dishes.

Tips: Let the beetroot cool before slicing, as this makes for cleaner, neater cuts. Dress just before serving for the freshest presentation, or let marinate a little longer for deeper flavour.

Variations: Add a little crumbled cheese for extra richness, a later variation. Serve alongside cold meats as part of a Victorian cold table spread.

Storage: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating: This is a cold salad and is not reheated.

Nutrition: Per serving (approx.): 90 kcal, 1 g protein, 5 g fat, 10 g carbohydrate.

FAQs:

Q: Was beetroot a common Victorian vegetable?

A: Yes, it appeared frequently in Victorian cookbooks, both as a simple dressed salad and pickled for longer keeping.

Q: What is this dish typically served with?

A: Cold meats and other salads as part of a Victorian cold table or luncheon spread.