Roasted Beets With Fennel And Bonito Dressing Food

ROASTED BEETS WITH WARM FENNEL VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Put the fennel in a medium bowl, cover with ice water and set aside.
• Put the beets in a 3-quart casserole dish and toss with the chicken broth, 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil; if there is 1/4 inch or less of liquid, add 1/2 cup of warm water. Continue baking, uncovered, until the cooking liquid is reduced by half and the beets are fork-tender, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk the vinegar, butter, remaining 2 tablespoons oil and mustard in a measuring cup. Strain the fennel and toss with the vinegar mixture in a large bowl. Add the dressed fennel to the beets, toss with tongs and continue baking until the fennel is crisp-tender, about 15 minutes. Remove the dish from the oven, stir the beets and fennel to coat with the sauce and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with the chives.

ROASTED BEETS WITH FENNEL AND BONITO DRESSING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss beets with 1 Tbsp. oil in an 8x8" baking dish; season with salt. Add 1/4 cup water and cover tightly with foil. Roast beets, shaking once, until a knife slips easily through flesh, 60-75 minutes. Let cool slightly, then rub off skins with paper towels. Using 2 forks, tear beets into large pieces; toss in a large bowl with 2 Tbsp. oil.
• Meanwhile, toast aniseed in a small saucepan over medium heat, tossing often until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add vinegar, sugar, 2 tsp. salt, and 1 cup water. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve sugar and salt, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep 20 minutes. Place fennel in a small bowl and strain brine over. Cover and chill until cold, about 2 hours.
• Cook garlic, butter, and 1/4 cup oil in a small saucepan over medium, stirring occasionally, until garlic is soft but not brown, about 2 minutes. Stir in bonito flakes and transfer to a blender. Purée until only a few flecks of bonito remain.
• Prepare a grill for medium heat. Grill beets, turning occasionally, until lightly charred, about 5 minutes. Transfer back to bowl; toss with bonito dressing and lemon juice and season with salt.
• Toss arugula and remaining 1 Tbsp. oil in a medium bowl; season with salt. Grill until lightly charred in spots, about 30 seconds. Transfer back to bowl.
• Arrange beets on a platter and top with arugula and drained pickled fennel.

ROASTED BEET WEDGES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Cut each beet into 6 wedges; place in a shallow dish. Add olive oil and salt; toss gently to coat., Place a piece of heavy-duty foil about 12 in. long in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Arrange beets on foil; top with rosemary. Fold foil around beets and seal tightly. , Bake until tender, about 1 hour. Open foil carefully to allow steam to escape. Discard rosemary sprigs.

ROASTED BEET, FENNEL, AND WALNUT SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Trim the beets, leaving the root and about 1 inch of the stem, then scrubbing them with a vegetable brush. Wearing gloves (if you like), peel the beets (the gloves prevent them from staining your hands), and cut them into 1/2-inch thick wedges.
• Pan spray a cooking sheet, then drizzle with the oil, tossing once to coat. Bake in oven at 400 degrees F for 45 minutes, stirring twice, or until the beets are tender.
• While beets are roasting, prepare the other vegetables and dressing.
• Rinse the fennel bulbs to make sure they're thoroughly clean. Remove the tough outer leaves, retaining the feathery fronds. Remove fronds from leaves/stalks and mince them to measure 2 tablespoons. Remove stalks from fennel and discard.
• Cut the cleaned bulbs in half, lengthwise, discarding the cores. Cut the divided bulbs into 1/8 to 1/4-inch slices.
• Slice the Belgian endives into whatever width you prefer, although it's nice if they're thinner than the fennel pieces.
• In a large bowl, combine the fennel, endive, walnuts, spinach, salt, and pepper. Toss gently; set aside.
• In a bowl, whisk together the vinegars, honey, orange rind, orange juice, basil, shallot (if using) olive oil, Dijon, nutmeg, and salt.
• When beets are done roasting, remove from oven and let cool slightly.
• Drizzle the fennel mixture with the whisked dressing, then add the roasted beets. Toss to combine. Tidy up the edges of the serving bowl with a napkin. Garnish the salad with the minced fennel fronds and feta cheese (if using), and serve.
• Makes about 12 servings, 1 cup each.