Golden Beet And Fennel Salad With Gorgonzola Flan And Candied Pecans Food

TANGY BEET AND FENNEL SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Trim the beet stems. Put the beets on a large piece of aluminum foil, drizzle with olive oil, and seal the foil to make a tight package. Transfer to small roasting pan. Roast the beets until they can be easily pierced with a knife, about 1 hour. When cool enough to handle, rub or peel off skins.
• Meanwhile, halve and very thinly slice the fennel (we love a mandolin for this). Soak in cold water to crisp. Segment the grapefruits over another bowl, reserving the juice. Cut the segments in half.
• Whisk 2 tablespoons of the reserved grapefruit juice with the mustard, vinegar, honey, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Gradually add the oil in a steady stream to make a creamy dressing. Season with pepper to taste.
• Thinly slice the beets with a knife or on a mandolin and toss in a bowl with 3 tablespoons dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste and arrange on individual plates. Drain the fennel, dry well. Just before serving, toss the fennel, lettuce, grapefruit, and tarragon with dressing. Divide evenly and set on beets. Serve immediately.

MARMALADE-GLAZED CARROTS WITH CANDIED PECANS

Steps:

• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in the marmalade, then add the carrots, orange juice, brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to medium low. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the carrots are almost tender, 13 to 15 minutes.
• Uncover and add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the skillet. Increase the heat to medium high and cook, stirring, until the liquid is reduced, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a platter and sprinkle with the candied pecans.
• Photograph courtesy Anna Williams

JERRY'S SUGARED PECANS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with sides with aluminum foil. Pour the butter onto the lined sheet. In a large bowl, mix the egg whites, sugar and cinnamon. Add the pecan halves and toss until they are fully coated. Spread the pecans onto the baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring the pecans every 10 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

FENNEL, BEET AND ORANGE SALAD WITH CUMIN VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Combine beets, fennel, orange slices or medallions, mint and cilantro in a large salad bowl.
• Whisk together lemon or lime juice, sugar, cumin, salt, optional garlic and olive oil. Toss with the salad and serve.

BLOOD ORANGE, BEET, AND FENNEL SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Wash beets, leaving some water on skins. Wrap individually in foil; place on a rimmed baking sheet and roast until beets are tender when pierced with a knife, about 1 hour. Let cool.
• Meanwhile, using a sharp knife, cut all peel and white pith from all oranges; discard. Working over a medium bowl, cut between membranes of 2 blood oranges to release segments into bowl; squeeze juice from membranes into bowl and discard membranes. Slice remaining blood orange and Cara Cara orange crosswise into thin rounds. Place sliced oranges in bowl with the segments. Add lemon juice and lime juice.
• Peel cooled beets. Slice 2 beets crosswise into thin rounds. Cut remaining 2 beets into wedges. Strain citrus juices; reserve. Layer beets and oranges on plates, dividing evenly. Arrange fennel and onion over beets. Spoon reserved citrus juices over, then drizzle salad generously with oil. Season to taste with coarse sea salt and pepper. Let salad stand for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Garnish salad with cilantro leaves.