CHOCOLATE BEET CAKE

A sure-fire way to get your kids to eat their beets!

• 2 c pureed cooked beets
• 1/2 c chocolate chops
• 1/2 c cocoa powder
• 1/2 c (1 stick) butter
• 1 c sugar
• 3 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 2 c whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven 350F. Grease a bundt pan.Steam 5 or 6 beets until tender, peel and puree until quite smooth. Set aside.In a sauce pan, melt chocolate, cocoa, and butter together until just smooth. Using a mixer, beat eggs until light yellow and very foamy. Slowly beat in sugar until very fluffy and pale yellow. Combine beets, vanilla, and chocolate. Whisk flour, soda, and salt. Fold into eggs in this order: 1/3 chocolate beets, 1/2 flour, alternating until all is incorporated. Use a light quick hand with a rubber spatula, cutting down into the center and scooping up towards the outer edge of the bowl. Combine well, but don't over mix.Pour into greased pan and bake until a skewer comes out clean from the center; at least 35 minutes, up to 50. Watch carefully after 35 minutes. Cool on a rack, then loosen the center with a knife and turn out onto a plate.Drizzle with ganache:Over a double boiler heat 2/3 c milk or cream to a bare simmer. Add 5 oz bittersweet chocolate. Stir to melt, adding more milk or chocolate to get a smooth pourable consistency.