College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

 

AYURVEDIC RECIPES

Roasted Beets In A Balsamic Glaze


5.00 out of 5 stars 2 ratings, 462 likes

Customer Reviews

5.00 out of 5 stars
Sign in to review or comment
"I think it is best to lightly salt after the roasting to prevent depletion of minerals and nutrients. I like to use..."
- Sally St. louis, MO

See all reviews

How to Make Roasted Beets in a Balsamic Glaze

INGREDIENTS


SKILL LEVEL: EASY
1/2 c
2 tbsp
2 c
1/2 tsp
1/2 tsp

PREPARATION OF THIS HEALTHY RECIPE

1. Preheat oven to 400F. Trim the tails and greens off the beets. Place in a roasting pan. Drizzle with olive oil and salt. Cover and bake 1-2 hours, or until beets are tender. Remove from oven.

2. Bring balsamic vinegar to a boil in a frying pan. Reduce to a syrupy consistency.

3. Once beets are cool, the skins should come off easily. Coarsely chop and place in a serving bowl. Drizzle in balsamic glaze. Optionally garnish with orange zest or rosemary.

How Does This Ayurvedic Recipe Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Earthy, sweet blood red beets brighten the cloudy days of early spring with their vibrancy. Smooth texture with light oil, the rich sour flavor of balsamic glaze awakens your senses just as the nearing sun awakens nature in early springtime.

An uncanny craving for beets usually strikes our fancy in February. Aptly described as "the most intense of vegetables" by Tom Robbins in Jitterbug Perfume, beets are full of earthy mystery. When roasted and drizzled with sharply rich balsamic vinegar beets become a sweet, juicy wonder.

Liver Cleansing in the Spring

Beets with balsamic vinegar is a perfect addition to an early spring diet. They offer a healthy remedy to a congested liver that creates heavy blood. Both are cholagogues, releasing bile from the liver into the digestive tract. Release of bile siphons fats from the blood, reducing triglyceride levels. Bile is also a major pathway of cholesterol metabolism. The beta-carotene in beets is an excellent liver tonic. The mild laxative qualities of beets and vinegar help clean the digestive tract as well. Cooking beets transforms the starches into sweet sugars that are cool down the blood. They nourish the liver, clean the blood and improve the eyesight. Beets are good for anemia.

Liver Bitterness

February comes at the bitter end of winter, the time of ashes. The natural environment offers slim pickings this time of year and the pantry is nearly bare. Early spring is the hardest month for animals in the wild. Anxiously awaiting the hope and promise of spring, lovers will make a last ditch effort on Valentine's Day to resurrect the dying embers of affection.

You may experience waves of bitterness, discouragement and a sense of failure in February. Try not to take these 'liver' emotions too seriously. Instead, these emotions offer an important cue.

Rich Blood

As soon as temperatures start to rise in early February, the body begins to metabolize some of the winter fats. The blood becomes rich and congested with these fats. It becomes thick and hard to circulate. Fatty blood makes February heart attack month. The fatty blood congests the liver as well. Much like a stuffed goose, your stuffed liver start to look as fatty as foie gras. You may have even noticed a week or two of dark, loose stools.

These important cues are signs your body is ready for cleansing. Ayurvedically, it is a critical time to cleanse the liver and jumpstart the body's fat metabolism.

AYURVEDA'S GUIDE TO VITALITY & WHOLESOME NOURISHMENT

Your Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body and your specific imbalances. With an Ayurvedic diet you feel joy and satisfaction because what you are eating truly nourishes and balances you. Disease results from diets and lifestyles that are incompatible with your nature. By eating a personalized diet matched to your body, you experience optimal health. See How it Works.

Is Roasted Beets in a Balsamic Glaze Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Roasted Beets in a Balsamic Glaze' is a good fit. Complete the basic quiz in 1 minute, or go deeper with additional quizzes at your own leisure to learn more about your body.

Metabolic Nature of Roasted Beets in a Balsamic Glaze

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.

Find Out More

HOT

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOT

CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR

LIQUEFIED

ABOUT LIQUEFIED BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIQUEFIED

EASY

ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly.

LEARN MORE ABOUT EASY

MOBILE

ABOUT MOBILE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Mobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MOBILE

TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

Find Out More

PUNGENT

ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUNGENT

DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.

Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.

Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.

The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).

Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.

Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.

Find Out More

PACIFIES
Kapha pacifying Vata pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Pitta aggravating

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.

Find Out More

PACIFIES
MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Wet & cold. When out of balance becomes congested, stagnant, and overweight. Loving, trusting, and patient.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

AGGRAVATES
CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHOLERIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot & moist. Full-blooded, vigorous. Vivacious, social, and epicurean. Bullish.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Roasted Beets in a Balsamic Glaze
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)
Warms Abdomen

WARMS-ABDOMEN

Warms the muscles and organs of the abdomen, stimulating digestion and metabolism.

SEE ALL 'WARMS-ABDOMEN' FOODS / HERBS

Internal Detoxicant

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.

SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

Relaxes Eyes

RELAXES-EYES

Eases tension in eye muscles, so the eyes feel less strained, often by supporting the liver.

SEE ALL 'RELAXES-EYES' FOODS / HERBS

,
Strengthens Resolve

STRENGTHENS-RESOLVE

Increases determination and courage by reducing stress and building strength.

SEE ALL 'STRENGTHENS-RESOLVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Nerve Relaxant Grounding

NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING

Encourages feelings of stability and heaviness. Makes you feel settled, mentally relaxed. Mildly sedates the nervous system to ease stress. Can bring a spacey or anxious person back to earth. Reduces agitation, irritation, stress and racing thoughts.

SEE ALL 'NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING' FOODS / HERBS

Stimulates Energy

STIMULATES-ENERGY

This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.

SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-ENERGY' FOODS / HERBS

,
Satisfies Stomach

SATISFIES-STOMACH

Provides a sense of gratification and fullness in the stomach.

SEE ALL 'SATISFIES-STOMACH' FOODS / HERBS

Diaphoretic

DIAPHORETIC

An herb that induces sweating, often by dilating blood vessels close to the skin.

SEE ALL 'DIAPHORETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Flushes Sinuses

FLUSHES-SINUSES

An herb that relieves sinus congestion by flushing out mucus.

SEE ALL 'FLUSHES-SINUSES' FOODS / HERBS

,
Soothes Throat

SOOTHES-THROAT

Soothes throat discomfort, including from a sore or ticklish throat.

SEE ALL 'SOOTHES-THROAT' FOODS / HERBS

Cardiac Stimulant

CARDIAC-STIMULANT

Herbs that increase the heart rate. Useful in cardiovascular health, blood stagnation, and subjective feeling of heaviness in the chest area.

SEE ALL 'CARDIAC-STIMULANT' FOODS / HERBS

Irritates Kidney

IRRITATES-KIDNEY

Tight, sharp pain just below ribs in the back.

SEE ALL 'IRRITATES-KIDNEY' FOODS / HERBS

Cholagogue

CHOLAGOGUE

Cholagogues stimulate the production & release of bile from the liver & gallbladder. This refreshes and cleanses these organs, as well as increases bile in the small intestines.

SEE ALL 'CHOLAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

Hypolipidemic

HYPOLIPIDEMIC

Scrapes fats / cleanses blood vessels by 1) purging bile, 2) strengthening the liver's ability to metabolize fats, 3) by increasing uptake of cholesterol in the liver, and 4) by inhibiting fat cells.

SEE ALL 'HYPOLIPIDEMIC' FOODS / HERBS

Muscle Relaxant

MUSCLE-RELAXANT

Herbs that relax muscles. Helpful for chronic pain or tension as well as healing from physical trauma.

SEE ALL 'MUSCLE-RELAXANT' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:
Iron

IRON

Iron is necessary for the transport of oxygen in red blood cells.

SEE ALL 'IRON' FOODS / HERBS

,
Nitric Oxide

NITRIC-OXIDE

Improves circulation by dilating blood vessels. Protects blood vessels from damage. Improves athletic performance, libido, immunity, and brain health.

SEE ALL 'NITRIC-OXIDE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Betaine

BETAINE

Used to reduce homocysteine in the blood, which supports proper liver function and prevents fatigue and blood clots. Improves muscle stamina and weight loss.

SEE ALL 'BETAINE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Saponins

SAPONINS

Can be used to make soap. Saponins stimulate mucus membrane secretion, liquefying mucus for easy removal (expectorant).

SEE ALL 'SAPONINS' FOODS / HERBS

, Sodium, Soluble Fiber, Potassium, Beta Carotene, Folate, Carbohydrate, Manganese

Foods with a Similar Nature to Roasted Beets in a Balsamic Glaze

  • Beets

    Beets has these Actions in Common

    Satisfies-stomach, Internal-detoxicant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Stimulates-energy, Irritates-kidney, Relaxes-eyes, Warms-abdomen, Cholagogue, Muscle-relaxant

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Powder

    Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common

    Flushes-sinuses, Stimulates-energy, Cardiac-stimulant, Internal-detoxicant, Strengthens-resolve, Diaphoretic, Muscle-relaxant, Warms-abdomen

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Seed

    Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common

    Flushes-sinuses, Stimulates-energy, Cardiac-stimulant, Internal-detoxicant, Strengthens-resolve, Diaphoretic, Muscle-relaxant, Warms-abdomen

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard

    Mustard has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Muscle-relaxant, Warms-abdomen, Flushes-sinuses, Stimulates-energy, Cardiac-stimulant, Internal-detoxicant, Strengthens-resolve

    LEARN MORE

  • Garlic (raw)

    Garlic (raw) has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Internal-detoxicant, Cardiac-stimulant, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-abdomen, Cholagogue, Hypolipidemic

    LEARN MORE

  • Spanish Black Radish

    Spanish Black Radish has these Actions in Common

    Cholagogue, Hypolipidemic, Diaphoretic, Internal-detoxicant, Cardiac-stimulant, Flushes-sinuses

    LEARN MORE

  • Daikon Radish

    Daikon Radish has these Actions in Common

    Cholagogue, Stimulates-energy, Diaphoretic, Warms-abdomen, Cardiac-stimulant, Flushes-sinuses

    LEARN MORE

  • Alcohol

    Alcohol has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Cholagogue, Muscle-relaxant, Diaphoretic, Warms-abdomen

    LEARN MORE

  • Buckwheat

    Buckwheat has these Actions in Common

    Muscle-relaxant, Strengthens-resolve, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Warms-abdomen, Satisfies-stomach

    LEARN MORE

  • Radish (raw)

    Radish (raw) has these Actions in Common

    Cholagogue, Hypolipidemic, Diaphoretic, Internal-detoxicant, Flushes-sinuses

    LEARN MORE

  • Apple (cooked)

    Apple (cooked) has these Actions in Common

    Cholagogue, Relaxes-eyes, Internal-detoxicant, Warms-abdomen, Nerve-relaxant-grounding

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Roasted Beets in a Balsamic Glaze

  • Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

    Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

    Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Stimulates-energy, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Hypolipidemic, Internal-detoxicant, Muscle-relaxant

    LEARN MORE

  • Punarnava

    Punarnava has these Actions in Common

    Hypolipidemic, Internal-detoxicant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Stimulates-energy, Cardiac-stimulant, Cholagogue

    LEARN MORE

  • Balarishta- Vitality Tonic

    Balarishta- Vitality Tonic has these Actions in Common

    Strengthens-resolve, Warms-abdomen, Muscle-relaxant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE

  • Encourage a Sweat / Sweat Therapy

    Encourage a Sweat / Sweat Therapy has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Internal-detoxicant, Muscle-relaxant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Cardiac-stimulant

    LEARN MORE

  • Sit in the Sauna

    Sit in the Sauna has these Actions in Common

    Muscle-relaxant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Epsom Salt Bath

    Epsom Salt Bath has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Internal-detoxicant, Muscle-relaxant, Cardiac-stimulant

    LEARN MORE

  • Eleuthero Ginseng

    Eleuthero Ginseng has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Muscle-relaxant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Stimulates-energy, Hypolipidemic

    LEARN MORE

  • Dong Quai

    Dong Quai has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Hypolipidemic, Internal-detoxicant, Muscle-relaxant, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE

  • Abhayrishta- Colon Tonic

    Abhayrishta- Colon Tonic has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Muscle-relaxant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Warms-abdomen

    LEARN MORE

  • Hot Foot Soak

    Hot Foot Soak has these Actions in Common

    Flushes-sinuses, Muscle-relaxant, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Trikatu

    Trikatu has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Internal-detoxicant, Warms-abdomen

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

View Other Healthy Recipes for Spring

This recipe is recommended for Spring. Check out these other Spring recipes here.
VIEW ALL SPRING RECIPES MORE VATA / KAPHA RECIPES
MAIN RECIPE PAGE

About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda. His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.

John's hobbies & specialties include advanced digestive disorders, medieval Catholic philosophy, & botany. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. His wife and family of 7 kids live in Asheville, NC.

Spring Diet

The season is about to shift into spring. Are you ready?

upcoming courses

Apply for Scholarship. Monhly payment plans available.

What is Ayurveda?

Founder of Joyful Belly Ayurveda, John Immel, answers the question ‘What is Ayurveda?’

Comments & Impressions of 'Roasted Beets In A Balsamic Glaze'

Do you like 'roasted beets in a balsamic glaze'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something else you'd like to know about 'roasted beets in a balsamic glaze'?

(5.00 out of 5 stars) 2 ratings, 462 likes
Sign in to review or comment

Sandy Panzella Rangeley, ME
2012-02-24
“Joseph Thank you for these wonderful recipes and sharing all your wisdom!"
Clarice MacDonald Saugus, MA
2012-08-03
“Is it ok to eat balsamic vinegar with acid reflux? I am going to give a few of these recipies a try this week. Thank you"
Sally St. louis, MO
2013-03-31
“I think it is best to lightly salt after the roasting to prevent depletion of minerals and nutrients. I like to use smoked sea salt."
Larissa Demalteris Golden, CO
2016-02-22
“Unfortunately, vinegar gives me acne. I suspect this is most likely due to a vata imbalance. Any suggestions on alternatives?"
Kimberly Kubicke Asbury park, NJ
2016-02-23
“Try using fresh lemon or lime juice instead of vinegar."
Improve Enzyme output & Master your Digestion

Improve Enzyme output & Master your Digestion

BOOKS BY JOYFUL BELLY

BOOKS BY JOYFUL BELLY

Master Ayurvedic Digestion & Nutrition

Master Ayurvedic Digestion & Nutrition

Join Joyful Belly

Want our top Ayurvedic recipes and health tips?
Subscribe to our free newsletter!

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information and products on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.