And here comes another home cooked side straight from my mother’s kitchen! Beets are one of my all time favorite foods (not just vegetables… foods) and I am always looking for different ways to eat them. Here, my mom has adapted a salad from a cookbook, adding her own flavors and zings. Enjoy!
Beet Salad with Goat Cheese (adapted from “Cod and Country” by Barton Seaver)
Pieces:
- 2 lbs. red or golden beets, stems and greens removed
- Salt
- Lettuce leaves of your choice, about 1/4 head
- 1 bunch Italian parsley leaves
- 1 Granny Smith apple, cored and very thinly sliced
- 2 bunches scallions, thinly sliced
- 2 Tablespoons Chile Oil or Citrus Oil (recipes follow)
- Juice of one lemon
- 6 oz goat cheese of your choice
Process:
- In heavily salted water, simmer the beets whole until soft, about 35 minutes.
- Drain the beets.
- While the beets are still fairly warm and using paper towels, gently rub the skins off the beets.
- Slice the beets into 1/2 inch rounds and arrange over lettuce leaves.
- Scatter parsley leaves, apple slices and scallions over top.
- Drizzle with Chile or Citrus Oil.
- Drizzle with lemon juice and crumble goat cheese over all before serving.
Citrus Oil
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
Zest of one lemon, removed in large strips with a vegetable peeler
Zest of one orange, removed in large strips with a vegetable peeler
1 bay leaf
In small saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. When oil reaches simmering point, remove
from heat and add zests and bay leaf. Let steep overnight in refrigerator in covered container. About a half-hour before using, remove from refrigerator and remove the zests and bay leaf. (The oil will keep in refrigerator, tightly covered, for about two weeks for future use. Again let stand at room temperature for half-hour before using.)
Chile Oil
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon sweet smoked paprika
1 teaspoon red chile flakes
In small saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. When oil reaches simmering point, remove from heat and add spices. When cool, stir and transfer to airtight covered container and let steep 24 hours at room temperature before use. (The oil will keep at room temperature, tightly covered, for about two weeks for future use.)
Happy Allergy Free Eating!
