Beets with Orange and Almonds

Beets with Orange and Almonds

1 lb. beets

Juice of 3 oranges

Zest of 1 orange

1/4 C. unsalted butter

Salt

Freshly ground pepper

1/3 C. slivered almonds, toasted

1/2 orange, for garnish

2 T. coarsely chopped chervil or 1 to 2 t. chopped fresh tarragon, for garnish

Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Trim the leaves off the beets, leaving about an inch of stem. Set the beets in a roasting pan. Bake until the skins are crinkled and loose and a sweet beet smell permeates the kitchen. Medium-sized beets should take about 1-1/2 to 2 hours, small ones about 1-1/2 hours.

Peel the beets and cut into 3/8-inch cubes. Place the orange juice, orange zest, beets and butter in a shallow saucepan or a skillet. Cook over low to medium heat for 15 minutes — stirring occasionally — then raise the heat to high to reduce the cooking liquid, about 2 minutes. The beets should be coated with an orange glaze. Taste. Salt if necessary, and add plenty of freshly ground pepper. Turn into a warm serving dish and top with the almonds. Squeeze the orange half over the cooked beets and garnish with the chervil. Serve immediately.