Roasted Baby Beet Salad
2001 All Rights Reserved by Jeffrey M. Nimer

This particular salad is one of my favorite salads; it covers the whole spectrum that a salad should. The beets are earthy, and with the addition of the sherry vinaigrette it really brings the two together. Although it is with the Fava beans that give this dish not only its texture but it also gives color. There is also an addition of feta cheese that gives this salad creaminess; however, it is the port reduction that completes this wonderful salad balancing all the flavors together.



Yields: 6

1-bunch red baby beets
1-bunch golden baby beets
2 each shallots finely chopped
1 bunch fresh thyme, basil, tarragon, and parsley finely chopped together
½ cup Jerez vinegar
¼ cup Spanish olive oil
Pinch of sugar for balance
French feta cheese crumbled
10 pods fresh Fava beans or English peas
1-bunch mache greens
1-tablespoon port syrup
Chicken stock
Blended olive oil
Salt & Pepper



Method of Preparation

Prepare your beets by placing them into a medium stockpot, making sure to keep them separate. Add just enough of the blended olive oil to cover. Top off with the chicken stock. Cook the beets slowly over medium high heat until just tender. Allow for the beets to steep in the cooking liquid and when cool enough to handle, carefully peel the beets and quarter them.

For the vinaigrette, dice the shallots finely and add the freshly chopped herbs, sherry vinegar, olive oil, and a pinch of the sugar. Season with salt and pepper and mix well.

Place a medium sized pot on the stove and fill it with water, add a pinch of salt. Bring the water to a boil and add the Fava beans, cook them for approximately five minutes and place them into an ice bath. Peel and keep cool.

To complete the salad, toss the beets together in the vinaigrette and adjust the seasonings. Place the beets on a beautiful plate trying to stack the beets as high as possible. Warm up the Feta cheese and crumble it over the beets. Finish the salad with the port reduction and top off with the Mache.