Friday, April 24, 2009

Roasted Beet Salad

Roasted Beet Salad

Early last week I received an email from my old boss asking me when we were going to open our restaurant. Apparently he had just discovered my blog and I guess he liked it :) He immediately sent me his recipe for roasted beets and I was intrigued. I had never cooked with beets before. Beets are one of those vegetables that I had managed to avoid. Not because I thought I wouldn't like them, but I just didn't know a lot about how to prepare them. I had always equated beets with those kind of nasty looking things in a can that sort of resemble that cranberry sludge that people serve at Thanksgiving. However, armed with this recipe I ventured out in the hot, hot heat last Sunday to get beets at the farmers market. Luckily the weather has cooled down by 30 degrees over the last couple of days so I was able to turn on my oven the other night to make this. The possibilities are endless when it comes with what to pair the beets with. Gregg's suggestions included lentils, feta, blue cheese, walnuts, chopped endive, etc. I decided to go with some feta and a few roasted pistachios. I have probably mentioned this a million times, but I am obsessed with this mild feta I get from the farmers market. It was a great pairing with the sweet beets and salty pistachios.


Roasted Beet Salad
(Courtesy of Gregg aka one of the most talented agent/chefs in Los Angeles*)

2 bunches beets (I used a mix of red and golden), washed with the tops cut off
Canola oil
Kosher salt
Crumbled feta cheese
Roasted pistachios

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Drizzle the beets with canola oil and double wrap with foil.

Roast 75 minutes for medium beets...maybe longer for larger beets. When done open carefully, being careful of steam. If a knife goes through smoothly, the beets are done.

When the beets have cooled, peel off skin, slice, put in bowl with more drizzled canola oil and kosher salt.

*His words not mine

26 comments:

  1. Nice, you're opening a restaurant? That's fantastic!! This recipe sounds great, especially withe the feta. Yum!

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  2. you know I am not a fan of the whole beet thing, but I have to say you, did make these look appetizing. I also hope you're feeling better....

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  3. If you opened a restaurant, I'd fly out to CA for sure. That would be so cool ;)

    I have never had a beet....they def kind of scare me but this recipe sounds good. Maybe I'll get up the courage to buy some

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  4. Sooo what's your verdict on beets? Good? I love 'em! Especially when they are served with cheese and nuts! Yum!

    I'm going to have to try that feta from your farmer's market some time. Sounds way better than the stuff I but from Whole Foods!

    P.S. If you open a restaurant, I want in!!! :)

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  5. i want privileges when you open your restaurant! like when there's a huuuuge line and velvet rope, i want to bypass! :D

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  6. Yes, roasted beets are very delicious. They can turn a beet hater into a lover. The taste is completely different.

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  7. I just discovered beets here in France, but only the pre-cooked ones. (They have a fantastic beet culture here...) Thanks for the post because I wasn't quite sure how to make them from scratch when I return to the US!

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  8. Thanks everyone!

    Dawn, I thought I wouldn't like them, but I did like them this way.

    Erica, hope you get the courage. So good.

    Diana, yes, GREAT!

    Pearl, of course you would get privileges...although can't say my imaginary resto is happening any time soon.

    Mindy, I think getting fresh beets and cooking them will make you love them :)

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  9. I'm going to try this next time I get beets. Beautiful!

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  10. Back! It's so pretty I stumbled this one. :)

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  11. I love roasted beets and I bet the feta compliments them really well - yum!

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  12. I love roasted beets and they're so pretty too!

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  13. I LOVE beets- probably my favourite vegetable. I am definitely going to try this recipe! Thanks for posting it!

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  14. I've never had fresh beets! I'm so ashamed. I love the canned ones-so I can only imagine how wonderful fresh ones are. I love the flavors in this!

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  15. I love beets, especially roasted. Yours look divine and thank you for reminding me of one of my favorite things that I haven't made in a while. I am really into feta right now because I found one I really like. Not all fetas are equal are they?

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  16. I guess if your boss gives you beets, you better make something with them LOL! Looks great. You've definitely been cooking up some gorgeous veggies lately!

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  17. Love me the beet. Have you tried the golden beets. I love them more because the are sweeter and not stain! :) This looks delicious.

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  18. Believe me, I'd dine at your restaurant from what I see in your blog! This salad looks classy and refreshing! You are my new Queen of Salads!

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  19. ohh. i usually do beets and goat cheese, but the feta sounds yummy!

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  20. Oh sweet, sweet Esi. I truly hope the new day has brought you much love and light. I've been so involved in my own life drama, that I forget that there are a lot of wonderful foodie friends out there that indeed do offer a lot of support and love. I shall keep you in my thoughts dear friend. My mother loved beets, I think I'll try them. :)

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  21. Gorgeous colors in the salad. I am not much of a beet person but I am going to have to rethink that.

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  22. LOVE roasted beets :) especially with goat cheese!

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  23. Look at those colours! Amazing how a simple salad can be such a feast.

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  24. A tip for when it's hot - use your bbq for roasting the foil wrapped beets

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