The list of things I love about vinyl is long and varied. One of these that I think is common among all vinyl lovers is browsing through a well stocked vinyl store, standing in front of a row and flipping through each album hoping to find gold. Gold could of course be a rare album or pristine condition older album. For me it usually depends on my mood and if I have an artist or style I’m looking for. On the day that I found Aziza Brahim’s album, this was gold I didn’t know I had until I started listening. Not only is the album varied and complex from a musical standpoint but a Google search of Aziza Brahim reveals that this is a protest album from a powerful artist that had lived in exile for years. An album where the music is moving and emotive yet I can also receive an education about the plight of Sahawari people is pure gold. I love this album for these reasons and many more.
The sweet tender roasted beets with the salty yogurt and slightly bitter herbs paired well with an album filled with emotion and (what I can imagine are) the often bitter moments of the refuge life. Although not specific to Sahawari refuges, there have recently been some incredible podcasts* about the current state of refuges in our world and the state of limbo many have been caught in. Aziza Brahim has started to give a voice to these people and hopefully open our eyes and ears in a time when many are recommending we close our minds and borders. Hopefully with music like this and occasions like the Refugee Olympic team, we will instead welcome those exiled from their home with open arms and loving hearts. A small request, keep this in mind when you listen to Abbar el Hamada.
Vinyl: Aziza Brahim – Abbar el Hamada
Roasted Beets with Salted Yogurt
Prep Time – 25 minutes
Cook Time – 60 minutes
Total Time – 105 minutes (with the addition of resting time for the beets)
Ingredients
- 2-3 whole beets
- 1/2 cup non-fat Greek yogurt
- 3 tbsp non-fat Kefir
- 1 tbsp EVOO
- 1 tsp of kosher salt
- 1 tbsp of pistachios
- 2 sprigs of oregano
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Trim the beet greens close to the root but with enough stem space to grab on to for later. Save the beet greens for another use. Wash and scrub the beets well (don’t worry about drying them) and wrap them in foil. Place them in the oven on a roasting pan and bake for 50-60 minutes depending on the size of your beets. The beets will be tender enough to stick a fork into and easy pull the fork out.
- In a small bowl, mix the Greek yogurt, the Kefir, EVOO and salt. The mixture should be smooth enough to pour over the beets but thick enough to coat the spoon. Place this into the fridge to sit while the beets roast.
- Once the beets are done, open the foil and let them rest for 20 minutes to cool down. Peel the skin from the beets, it should separate from the rest of the beet with ease. If it doesn’t, check to make sure the beet is actually tender enough. Discard the skin. Cut the beets into wedges of your desired size. Place into the bowl you intend to serve the beets in.
- Toast the pistachios in a pan until just slightly browned.
- Remove the oregano leaves from the stems and roughly chop.
- Drizzle the salted yogurt sauce on the beets, sprinkle with pistachios and oregano leaves and enjoy!
Notes
- Any size beet will work for this recipe but will change the roasting times. Feel free to change the oven temperature if you are cooking anything else, for example roasting a chicken. If the temperature is lower, the roasting time will be longer. I will recommend caution if the temperature is higher, check the beets frequently.
- If you don’t enjoy pistachios or oregano, feel free to sub them out for another nut and herb. They do complement the tender beets, add additional protein and flavor so I wouldn’t recommend leaving nuts and herbs out entirely.
- This would also be great on a bed of massaged kale if you are looking to turn this into a full salad or meal. The kale would stand up nicely to the salted yogurt sauce.
- I paired this with a vinho verde for the nice, light and bright flavors that contrast deliciously with the rich flavor of the beets.
*This American Life for example has done two recent podcasts that are both heartbreaking and inspiring.