Blackberry Beetroot Goats Cheese Salad With Poppy Seed Croutons Food

CREAMED GOAT'S CHEESE & ROAST BEETROOT SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/ gas 4. Roll the beetroot in half the olive oil in a small roasting tin, season, cover with foil and bake for 1 hr - check it's cooked by pushing a knife into the beetroot, it should go in easily. Remove from the oven and leave to cool. Leave the oven on. Meanwhile, whisk all the dressing ingredients together. Place the ciabatta on a tray, drizzle with the remaining olive oil and bake for 8 mins until crisp, then leave to cool. When the beetroot is cool enough to handle, peel, cut into wedges and add to the dressing to lightly pickle. Can all be done up to two days ahead.
• Break the goat's cheese into small chunks in a bowl, beat with a spoon, then add the crème fraîche, thyme, truffle oil, if using, and some cracked black pepper, then whisk until light and fluffy. Spoon into a piping bag and chill. Can be done two days ahead.
• Halve the chicory and remove the core with a sharp knife, then slice the leaves. Add to the bowl with the beetroot. Cut the cheeks off the sides of the apple and finely slice. To serve, pipe the goat's cheese onto each plate, then build the beetroot up around it. Press the chicory into the cheese and spoon over the dressing, then add the apple. Break the croutons into random shapes and press into the cheese too. To finish, scatter over the nuts and orange zest.

ROASTED BEETROOT & GOAT'S CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and put the beetroot in a roasting tin with 1 tbsp oil, 1 tbsp vinegar and plenty of seasoning. Roast for 8-10 mins until sticky. Meanwhile, bring a pan of salted water to the boil, add the green beans, cook for 1 min, then drain. Toss in with the beetroot and roast for a further 5 mins.
• Meanwhile, make the dressing by combining the remaining oil and vinegar in a small bowl, and season well. Put the mixed leaves and cucumber in a bowl and toss together with a little dressing.
• Dip both cheese halves in the chopped walnuts so the tops are covered, then pop in the roasting tin with the beetroot and green beans for a few mins, to soften and toast the nuts.
• Pile the salad onto plates and serve with the remaining dressing drizzled over the top.

GOAT'S CHEESE & BEETROOT SALAD

Steps:

• Thinly slice the beetroot, either with a very sharp knife or on a mandolin. Arrange overlapping slices over four dinner plates.
• Put all the dressing ingredients into a jar, replace the lid, then shake well to mix. Drizzle a little over the beetroot. Slice the goat's cheese into 12 and put 3 slices on top of each serving of beetroot. Toss the salad leaves in a little dressing, then put a small pile of leaves on top of each serving of cheese. Drizzle with the remaining dressing.