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Sweet and earthy beets are the perfect base for spicy harissa paste. Thinly sliced into half moons, beets cook up super quick and transform into a side dish that is loaded with bright flavors. Forget what you think you know about cooking this rock-hard root vegetable. Using <a href="https://www.chefsteps.com/activities/5-vegetables-on-the-table-in-five-minutes">the reverse sauté technique</a>, thin slices of beets go from crunchy to crisp yet tender in just a few minutes. Since beets pair well with spice, consider swapping the harissa paste for thinly sliced hot peppers—sauté with the beets to soften slightly or toss in raw for contrasting crunch and pops of heat. Or go in a different flavor direction, and finish with crumbled cheese (goat and blue are great), crushed walnuts, and maybe a drizzle of honey. The sky’s the limit and these beets are your base for a seriously bomb side dish.