Zesty Oven Roasted Beets

When I first started dating my husband I quickly discovered he was the pickiest eater on the planet.  His main food groups where cold cereal, meat and potatoes.  Also, he flat out told me he didn't like any ones cooking but his Grandma's.    I had some seriously big shoes to fill.

We dated for 3 years and during that time I hardly ever cooked for him.  He ate out a lot and he lived on cold cereal.  Then when we finally got married (3 years of dating is considered a really, really, really long time here in Utah), I told him that eating out was going to be a rare occasion and that I would be cooking dinner at home every night.

I'm not going to lie, it was a rough start.  Most of the time I would cook something and he wouldn't even try it.  He would just pour himself a bowl of cereal and my daughter and I would eat dinner alone.  It got old really fast.  One day I told him that I wouldn't be buying cereal anymore and if he didn't eat dinner with us then he could starve.  (I've never been afraid to speak my mind).

He said he would "try."  Which was a start.

Since my mom is the best cook out there, I grew up with a love of all foods.  She made everything from scratch.  I mean literally, everything from yogurt to condiments.  Amazing lady I tell ya.  She was also so good at having us try everything.

My husband however, grew up in a small farm town.  They ate what they could grow and what they could kill.  So he never had even tried rice or any kind of vegetable besides cor, green beans, and peas.

That was 17 years ago, and I'm happy to say that he now thinks I'm a pretty dang good cook (though I will never be as good as his Grandma), and he is very willing to try ANYTHING I make.

We have been working on different vegetables to incorporate into our diet.  When I was at the grocery store the other day I saw the most beautiful beets.  (I love beets).  I decided to bring them home and create something amazing for my family.  Some of the kids liked them and some didn't (if I'm being honest).  But it's a start.  Keep working with your kids (husbands).  Have them try new things.  Eventually their picky pallet will go away.

Zesty Oven Roasted Beets
3 beets
2 TBSP Zesty Italian Dressing
Sea Salt

Cut tops off beets, then peel and cube.  In a small bowl toss beets with Italian dressing.  Spread in an 8x8 square pan, prepared with non-stick cooking spray.  Bake in 425 oven for 40 minutes, or until beets are fork tender.  Sprinkle with sea salt just before serving.  (Serving Size - 2)