Beetroot Booster

An unusual salad, with surprising mood-enhancing properties. Lemon balm is a traditional antidepressant and heart tonic, and the phytochemicals in tarragon are calming and sleep-inducing.

Combined with the blood-building benefits of beetroot and pro-biotic bacteria from the yogurt, this salad provides a tremendous boost to your overall vitality and well-being.

This creamy, pink mixture makes an unusual starter or light lunch when served with crunchy wholemeal bread. It's also a great accompaniment to cold meat or fish or anything on the barbecue. It's a far cry from the normal sour, vinegary beetroot with the added piquancy of horseradish - a popular combination in Eastern Europe.

700g / 1lb Beetroot - cooked, preferably baby bulbs
Grated zest and juice of half lemon
250g / 8 floz plain live yogurt
1 tsp fresh grated horseradish or 2 tspns of ready-made
1 heaped tbsp finely snipped chives
1 tsp finely chopped tarragon
1 tsp finely chopped lemon balm

Cut beetroot into chunks, or slice if large.

Sprinkle with lemon juice, stir in zest.

Stir horseradish and herbs into yogurt and pour over beetroot.

Leave for an hour to allow flavours to combine.