Warm Beet Salad with Cara Cara Oranges & Chevre
Topped with tangy goat cheese and juicy orange slices, this colorful salad is a true springtime pick-me-up.
Ingredients:
Roasted beets, sliced and still warm from the oven
1 Cara Cara Orange
½ cup crumbled fresh chevre
¼ cup toasted hazelnuts or pecans, chopped
Fresh-cracked pepper
For the dressing:
½ cup high-quality olive oil
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
A large pinch of this week’s La Boîte spice blend
1 clove garlic, crushed
Fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Whisk together all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl, then toss about half of the dressing with the warm beets.
2. Using a sharp paring knife, cut the tops and bottoms off the orange. Stand the orange up and slice to remove the peel and membrane. Then, slice it crosswise into thin wheels.
3. On a serving platter, arrange the beet slices and then top with the orange slices. Drizzle with additional vinaigrette as desired, then top the salad with the crumbled chevre and toasted nuts.
Variation: This salad is also lovely served atop a bed of baby spinach greens.
Roasted Golden Beet & Carrot Dip
This vibrant spread is delicious slathered on toasted bread or crackers.
Ingredients:
6 baby golden beets, trimmed and peeled
6-8 baby carrots, trimmed and peeled
1 medium-sized head of garlic, with the end cut off
3 tablespoons plus ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons minced parsley
Sea salt
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 400°. Quarter the beets and halve the carrots, then toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil, and sprinkle with sea salt. Arrange on a rimmed baking sheet, and slide into the oven. Roast 25-30 minutes or until vegetables are tender and edges are a light golden brown, flipping vegetables halfway through.
2. Meanwhile, set out a 10-inch rectangle of foil. Set the head of garlic in the center, and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Wrap the foil packet tightly around the garlic, set in a small ovenproof baking dish, and roast for about 15 minutes, or until cloves are soft and cooked through. Carefully open the foil packet, and set garlic aside until cool enough to handle. Squeeze the soft cloves out of the papery skin and set aside.
3. Place the roasted beets, carrots, and garlic in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until broken down a bit. Then, with food processor running, drizzle in the ½ cup olive oil, honey and a large pinch of salt. Taste for seasoning and add more salt as needed. Top dip with minced parsley and serve at room temperature.
Roasted Golden Beets with Balsamic Glaze
Sweet-tart balsamic glaze beautifully complements the mellow flavors of spring beets in this simple side.
Ingredients:
6-8 baby golden beets
2 to 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
Balsamic glaze*
Method:
1. Place a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 375° . Rinse and dry your beets and trim off any leafy tops. Place each beet on a sheet of foil and drizzle with the extra virgin olive oil, then wrap each beet in the aluminum foil and place on a baking sheet. Roast until tender, for about 1 hour.
2. Remove from the oven and let cool. When cool enough to handle, using a spoon, gently scrape the skin off the beets (a soup spoon works well!) and cut them crosswise into thin slices. Place on a platter, season with salt and pepper, drizzle with additional extra virgin olive oil and the balsamic glaze. Serve with your favorite fresh greens.
*You can purchase balsamic glaze from the grocery store, but it’s also super simple to make at home: To make a 12 cup portion, heat 2 cups balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and allow to summer, stirring occasionally, until the vinegar thickens and reduces to a ½ cup (about 20 minutes). Remove from heat and allow to cool completely before using.
Roasted Beet Salad with Blueberry Vinaigrette
Tossed with our housemade vinaigrette, this showpiece salad boasts beautiful color.
Ingredients:
1 bunch red beets, cleaned and trimmed
4 cups water
½ cup red wine vinegar
¼ cup sugar
1 fennel bulb, trimmed and thinly shaved crosswise, fronds reserved
4 cups loosely-packed salad greens, washed and patted dry with a paper towel
F&L blueberry vinaigrette
¼ cup queso fresco cheese, crumbled
½ cup fresh blueberries
¼ cup toasted hazelnuts, coarsely chopped
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Place beets in a large roasting pan and pour over water, red wine vinegar, sugar and 1 tablespoon salt. Cover with parchment and foil. Roast until just tender, they should be easily pierced with a knife, about 30 minutes. Peel beets under cool water. Cut into bite-sized pieces.
2. Toss the roasted beets, fennel, fennel fronds, and greens with about ½ cup of the dressing. Plate dressed greens. Season with more salt and pepper if necessary, garnish with the blueberries, queso fresco cheese and hazelnuts and serve.
