beets Archives - Falcon Ridge Farm

Beets and Goat Cheese Salad

Incorporating beets into your culinary repertoire is a fantastic way to add both vibrant color and a nutritional punch to your meals. Beets are loaded with vitamins and minerals such as folate, manganese, potassium, and iron. They also contain a wealth of nutritional benefits, including antioxidants that support heart health and reduce inflammation. This delicious beet and goat cheese salad combines the creamy tanginess of goat cheese and the crunchy nuttiness of walnuts. Yum!

Ingredients:

4 medium beets (red and golden, if available)
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for roasting
2 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup for a vegan option)
Salt and pepper to taste
4 cups mixed salad greens (such as arugula, spinach, and baby kale)
1/2 cup goat cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped
Fresh herbs for garnish (such as thyme or parsley)

Instructions:

Roast the Beets: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Trim the tops and roots off the beets, and scrub them clean. Wrap each beet individually in foil with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Roast in the oven until tender, about 45-60 minutes, depending on their size. Let them cool, then peel and dice into bite-sized pieces.
Prepare the Dressing: While the beets are roasting, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and honey in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. This dressing will bring a sweet and tangy flavor that complements the beets beautifully.
Assemble the Salad: Toss the salad greens in a large bowl with enough dressing to lightly coat them. Arrange the greens on plates, then top with the roasted beets, crumbled goat cheese, and toasted walnuts.
Final Touches: Drizzle some more dressing over the top of each salad and garnish with fresh herbs.
Serve: Enjoy this salad as a refreshing start to a meal or as a light lunch. The combination of warm beets and cool salad makes for a delightful contrast.

Additional Tips:

Add orange segments or dried cranberries for an extra layer of flavor.
For a vegan version, use a plant-based cheese alternative or simply omit the cheese.
Use a variety of beets for varied colors and flavors.

Beets and other delicious veggies are part of our spring farm box season. Sign up for our farm boxes online today! You can find more delicious recipes on our blog.

Balsamic Beets on Toasties

Balsamic Beets on Toasties

Beets have loads of healthy benefits as they are packed full of vitamins and nutrients and have even been found to keep blood pressure in check. Plus, they’re DELICIOUS! Try this savory appetizer the next time you have folks over.

You’ll need:

1 baguette
8oz garlic herb goat cheese
2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
1 bunch of beets with stems and leaves (about 3-4 beets)
1 clove of garlic, minced
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Olive oil
Salt
½ cup of candied walnuts, chopped

To make:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut baguette in ½ inch slices and brush both sides with olive oil. Bake 8-10 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking for even toasting. Set toasties aside.

In a bowl, combine goat cheese and heavy whipping cream. Use a hand mixer to blend until smooth. Set aside.

Remove the greens from the beets and rinse. Gently pat dry. Stack the leaves and roll up into a cigar shape. Use a knife to cut leaves into ribbons and set aside.

Peel beets and then, using a mandoline, slice them into thin rounds. Slice rounds into ribbons and set aside.

Heat a skillet with 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add greens, garlic, and 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar to the skillet. Sprinkle the green with salt and cook them for 2 minutes or until bright green and just wilted. Place cooked greens in a bowl and set aside.

In the same skillet, add a drizzle of olive oil, beets, and balsamic vinegar and saute for 2 minutes until beets are tender.

To build your toasties, spread goat cheese on the toasts. Top with beet greens, beets, and chopped candied walnuts. These are a guaranteed crowd pleaser!

Did you know you can get farm-fresh beets sent directly to your doorstep? Learn more!