Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese (Printable Version)
Sweet roasted beets paired with creamy goat cheese, crunchy walnuts, and mixed greens in a tangy vinaigrette.
# What You Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 4 medium beets, trimmed and scrubbed
02 - 4 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, frisée)
→ Dairy
03 - 3.5 oz goat cheese, crumbled
→ Nuts
04 - 1/2 cup walnut halves
→ Dressing
05 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
06 - 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
07 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
08 - 1 teaspoon honey
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
→ Garnish
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh chives or parsley, finely chopped
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Wrap each beet in aluminum foil and place on a baking sheet. Roast for 40 to 45 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a knife.
02 - Allow beets to cool slightly, then peel and cut into wedges or slices.
03 - Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant. Set aside to cool.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
05 - Arrange salad greens on a large platter or individual plates. Top with roasted beet wedges, crumbled goat cheese, and toasted walnuts.
06 - Drizzle with the dressing. Garnish with chives or parsley if desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The contrast between warm, tender beets and cool, creamy goat cheese creates a temperature and texture magic that never gets old.
- Its deceptively simple but elegant enough for company, making you look like a culinary genius with minimal effort.
02 -
- Roasting beets in foil packets rather than boiling them concentrates their flavor and preserves their intense color.
- Letting the beets cool slightly before peeling means you can actually handle them without burning your fingers, and the skins will slip off much more easily.
03 -
- Wear kitchen gloves when handling beets if you dont want temporarily pink-stained fingers or use the paper towel method to rub off skins with minimal contact.
- For the most beautiful presentation, dress the greens separately in a bowl before plating, then arrange the beets and cheese on top with an additional light drizzle of dressing.