The Beet Goes On Salad Food

BEET SALAD WITH ARUGULA AND BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400˚F. Line the bottom of a medium rimmed baking sheet with foil. Wrap each beet tightly in a sheet of foil and arrange lined baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour or until largest beet is easily pierced. Unwrap beets and cool to room temperature then peel the skins (see Pro Tip Below*) and slice into halves and then wedges.
• Toast 1/2 cup pecans on a dry skillet, tossing frequently until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool.
• Transfer arugula to a large mixing bowl then add remaining salad ingredients: sliced beets, feta cheese, toasted pecans and dried cranberries.
• In a small mason jar, combine all dressing ingredients and shake well to combine. Drizzle over salad to taste. If not serving salad right away, shake the dressing again just before drizzling over salad.

ROASTED BEET SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Set the beets on a baking sheet lined with a two layers of aluminum foil. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and then wrap the beets in the first layer of foil. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and roast until the beets are fork tender, about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, place shallots in a small bowl, drizzle with another 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper; toss well. After the beets have roasted for 45 minutes, remove the baking sheet from the oven and carefully place the shallots directly on the second layer of aluminum foil. Return to the oven for another 15 minutes, until the shallots are caramelized and soft and the beets are fully cooked.
• Let the beets cool in the foil for at least 5 minutes. Transfer the shallots to a large bowl and set aside. When the beets are cool enough to handle, use a paper towel to rub off the skins. Cut the beets into wedges and add them to the bowl with the shallots.
• Trim the tops and bottoms off the oranges with a paring knife or a small serrated knife. Set the oranges on one of the cut ends and carefully cut away the skins, beginning at the top and following the curve of the fruit down to the bottom. Slice the oranges crosswise into thin slices. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, sugar, mustard, some salt and pepper, and the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil. Pour the dressing over the beets and shallots; toss to combine. Add the mixed greens and the orange slices; toss again. Sprinkle with sunflower seeds.

AND THE BEET GOES ON

Steps:

• For the Chocolate torte:
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Combine the chocolate, butter and corn syrup and melt over a double boiler. In a stand mixer whip the eggs, vanilla and sugar together for several minutes, pour in the melted chocolate, and all of the dry ingredients. Mix together and spread onto a greased 1/2 sheet pan. Bake in oven for 30 minutes.
• For the Beet ice cream:
• Wash and juice the beets. Simmer the juice 2 hours, until it is reduced by 2/3. In a separate pot combine the milk and sugar and bring to a boil, temper in your egg yolks. Add the cream and beet juice and freeze according to the ice cream machine instructions.
• For the Sugar beet paper:
• Preheat oven to 200 degrees F.
• Rinse the beets and place in a steamer. Steam until soft. Cool the beets, peel them, chop them up and place them in a blender with the corn syrup and egg white and blend until totally smooth.
• Spread in a very thin layer on to a silpat and bake in oven for 1 to 2 hours, until dry and crisp.
• To assemble cut the torte into circles using a 3-inch circular cookie cutter. Place a quarter sized drop of chocolate sauce on the plate and streak it using the back side of the spoon. Place the disk of torte onto the plate and a scoop of the beet ice cream directly on top of the torte. Place several large shards of the beet paper into the ice cream and different angles and sprinkle a pinch of the shiso salt on the ice cream and the plate.

ROASTED BEET SALAD

Steps:

• Trim 6 medium beets; reserve the greens. Rub the beets with olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Wrap individually in foil and roast at 350 degrees F until tender, 1 to 1 1/2 hours; let cool. Peel and cut into wedges. Cook the beet greens in boiling water, 3 minutes; drain, squeeze out the excess water and chop. Toss the beets and greens with 1/2 cup sliced red onion, 1/4 cup chopped chives, 5 tablespoons olive oil and 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar. Season with salt and pepper.