Type of dish: Appetizer, Side Dish

4 medium beets with sets trimmed to 1 inch
2 cups water
2 cups sugar

For sour cream:
2 Tablespoons finely chopped onion
1 Tablespoon olive oil
3/4 teaspoon Madras curry powder
3/4 cup sour cream
1 1/2 Tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Make chips:
Peel beets with a vegetable peeler, then slice paper-thin with slicer, using stems as handles.

Bring water and sugar to a boil in a heavy saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Add beets, then remove pan from heat and let stand 15 minutes. Drain beets in a colander, discarding liquid, then let stand in colander 15 minutes more.

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 225°F.

Line a shallow baking pan with nonstick liner, then arrange beet slices snugly in 1 layer (it’s not necessary to use any partial or broken slices) and season with salt and pepper. Bake beets until dry, about 1 hour. Immediately transfer chips to a rack to cool (chips will crisp as they cool).

Make curried cream while beets bake:
Cook onion in oil in a small skillet over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in curry powder and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir onion into sour cream in a bowl along with chives, salt, and pepper. Serve curried cream with beet chips.

Recipe courtesy of Gazy Brothers Farm