Friday, 9 March 2012

When life hands you beetroot, make chocolate cake

We're back at that challenging time of year when the veg box contains beetroot every week. Even now that we have opted back in to potatoes in the box (partly because the substitute was often radishes, and I just can't see radishes as more than a minor player in a salad) we still get an awful lot of beetroot.

I've done a lot with them, over the last few years, but Paul still isn't a fan.


This recipe may have finally turned him around. As the reviews on the website said (which I should have read beforehand) the batter is too thick for a blender. I ended up having to scrape it into a bowl to finish making it, because I was in pretty real danger of burning out the motor. But eventually a startlingly red batter forms, which bakes to a delectably rich, moist chocolate cake. Paul said I should use this recipe every time I want to make a chocolate cake from here on in. So that's a very good sign.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Crazy how dudes can go from "I really don't like this one thing" to "every time to make this, make sure you add that same thing" in the space of exactly one recipe. Total dude thing there. Cheers!

Anne said...

I love beetroot and have always wanted to try the cake version! Your loaf cake looks really good, really moist and dark! I wonder if the ready cooked (without vinegar) would work okay? Have used it in cookies with success..

leaf (the indolent cook) said...

It does look gloriously rich and chocolatey. Love the use of beetroot!

Caroline said...

That does look like a particularly moist delicious chocolate cake. I don't think I'm much of a fan of beetroot, but perhaps I'll have to have a rethink and try this.

Paul F said...

It was a damn fine cake - moist and dense.

Jude said...

Oooh. I shall have a go at this. I take it the cooked beetroot hasn't been soaked in malt vinegar . . . . . *runs*.

James Brewer said...

I have yet to dive into the chocolate and beetroot combination. But seeing this, and a recipe for Chocolate Beetroot Brownies, a think I am ready.

Suelle said...

That's a good recommendation from Paul, Foodycat. I've made chocolate cakes from raw beetroot, but not cooked. As this uses oil, I can happily try it!

Alicia Foodycat said...

Steve - crazy thing about men? I couldn't POSSIBLY comment!

Anne - I think the ready cooked would be fine. I boiled these, but those vac-packed ones are very very good.

Leaf - I had a moment when I thought it was TOO chocolatey!

C - well this is what you can do if you happen to have some.

Cap'n - I am glad you enjoyed it!

Jude - you are correct! Just boiled.

James - this was my first outing with it. It's really good.

Suelle - I will be interested to hear what you think. Your tasters are used to a much higher standard than mine is!

Mary Bergfeld said...

I'm glad you got him to change his mind. The cake sounds wonderful. I hope you have a great weekend. Blessings...Mary

Simona Carini said...

Have you tried roasting radishes? I am not a great fan of raw radishes, but I like when they are part of a root roast.

Alicia Foodycat said...

Mary - thank you! And to you!

Simona - I have never roasted a radish! What a good idea! Thanks!

Deb in Hawaii said...

I made a brownie with beets once and it was pretty good, but this cake looks even better. ;-)

Shu Han said...

omg you know what, I just did almost the exact same thing. beetroot chocolate brownies instead though, haha less room for error. unlike paul, i love beetroot though, so i need no convincing;)

Emily D said...

Oh MAN! I was going to make Guinness choc cake for St P's but there are these two beet root s languishing in the veg bin. Something tells me if I use them in a cake instead of the stout, the latter will not go to waste!

What recipe did you use?

Alicia Foodycat said...

Deb - brownies would be good too!

Shu Han - I have come around to beetroot, but it isn't my most favourite thing.

Emily - I linked to the recipe in the post.

Choclette said...

That looks very inviting indeed. I've made a few chocolate cakes with beetroot now and they've all been good.

ISOcampus said...

That looks really yummy this is definitely a double treat! Can't wait to try this one out.

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