Beet, Endive, and Orange Salad

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Servings:
6

In this salad, sweet roasted beets and orange segments complement bitter endive.

Ingredients

  • 6 large beets, about 2 pounds, scrubbed and stems removed

  • 6 navel oranges

  • 1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

  • 1 ½ tablespoons canola oil

  • 1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, coarsely chopped

  • 3 heads Bibb lettuce (½ pound), or 1 head Boston lettuce, cut into ½-inch strips

  • 2 heads Belgian endive (about ½ pound), cut into ½-inch pieces

  • ¼ pound ricotta salata, or feta cheese, crumbled

  • Olive-oil cooking spray

Directions

  1. Heat oven to 450 degrees. Place beets in an 8-by-8-inch baking pan coated with olive-oil cooking spray; cover with foil. Place in oven; roast until tender, 45 to 55 minutes, depending on size. Allow beets to cool, remove skins, and cut into 3/4-inch chunks, reserving half a peeled beet for vinaigrette.

  2. Using a paring knife, remove peel, pith, and outer membranes from the oranges. Carefully cut each segment away from membranes, collecting juice and segments in a bowl. Squeeze any remaining juice from membranes before discarding. Drain segments, and set aside, reserving 1/4 cup juice.

  3. Place reserved half beet, reserved orange juice, red-wine vinegar, salt, and pepper in a blender; puree until smooth. With motor running, add canola oil, and process until combined. Stir in 2 tablespoons chopped parsley.

  4. Place lettuce, endive, reserved beets, oranges, and remaining parsley in a bowl. Just before serving, add vinaigrette, and toss. Garnish with ricotta salata, and serve.

Cook's Notes

Rubbing roasted beets with paper towels is the easiest way to remove their skins.

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