Warm Beet Salad with Parmesan Dressing

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Servings:
4
Yield:
4 Serves

The dressing is made with Banyuls vinegar, a French version made from sweet wine. It is mellower than red-wine vinegar.

Ingredients

  • 2 shallots, minced

  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

  • 3 tablespoons Banyuls vinegar or red-wine vinegar

  • 4 medium red beets, scrubbed well and trimmed

  • ½ bunch plus 2 stems fresh thyme

  • Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

  • 4 ounces Parmesan cheese, coarsely grated (2 cups)

  • 1 cup heavy cream

  • 3 cups watercress or baby mesclun

  • ¼ cup pistachios, coarsely chopped

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine shallots, 2 tablespoons oil, and the vinegar in a bowl. Line a piece of foil with parchment. Place beets and 1/2 bunch thyme in center, drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons oil, and season with salt and pepper. Fold, crimping edges to seal, place on a baking sheet, and roast until beets are tender, about 1 hour. Let beets cool slightly, then peel. Cut beets into 1/4-inch-thick slices.

  2. Place Parmesan, cream, and remaining 2 stems thyme in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Gently simmer, stirring often, until cheese melts and dressing is thick, about 5 minutes. Discard thyme. Place beets on a serving platter. Drizzle with warm dressing, top with greens, then drizzle with shallot mixture. Sprinkle pistachios on top, and serve immediately.

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