80--- Grilled Golden Beets with Beet Top Pesto

Golden beets are the just-as-tasty-and-nutritious-but-far-less-messy cousin of the red beet.

And those beautiful tops attached when you purchase them at the farmer's market?  You can use them!  Toss them in with a few additional ingredients and presto! you have PESTO.

Grilled Golden Beets with Beet Top Pesto
Serves 2

2 cups golden beets, washed and cubed
Olive oil spray
Salt and fresh pepper

PESTO
1 cup beet greens
6 large basil leaves
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup walnuts (or any other nut- except maybe a peanut)
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp water
2 Tbsp shredded Parmesan cheese
1/8 tsp salt

Heat a grill to medium heat.  Form a 12 x 6" packet from aluminum foil.  Add beets, then spray with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Toss to coat.  Seal the packet and place it on the grill.  Cook for 20-25 minutes, until beets are softened.

Meanwhile, make your pesto.  Add all ingredients to a large food processor and mix until a puree is formed.

During the last minute or so that beets are cooking, spoon 3 Tbsp pesto onto beets and refold packet to warm pesto.

Serve hot!

Nutrition Info per 1 cup: 166 calories, 11 g fat, 2.5 g protein, 11 g carbohydrates, 3.5 g fiber