Roasted Beet Salad with Roquefort and Walnuts | culture: the word on cheese
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Roasted Beet Salad with Roquefort and Walnuts


Roasted Beet Salad with Roquefort and Walnuts

Caroline Schiff
Beets and blue cheese are a classic pair. The sweetness from the beets balances the punchy cheese, while herbs give it a lift and walnuts add a perfect amount of crunch. This is a great side dish, or lovely lunch with some crusty bread.
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 4 medium beets
  • 5 tablespoons olive oil divided, plus more for serving
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 small shallot minced
  • 1 heaping tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons fresh herbs parsley, chives or chervil are great, or a blend
  • ¼ cup walnuts roughly chopped and lightly toasted
  • 4 ounces crumbled Roquefort cheese
  • Flaky sea salt to garnish optional

Instructions
 

  • ►Preheat oven to 400°F with rack in middle.
  • ►Trim any stems off beets and wash beets well. Place them in a roasting pan and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Add enough water to pan so it comes up the sides about ½ inch. Cover tightly with foil and transfer to oven. Cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Beets are done when soft enough to be poked with a paring knife without resistance. Larger ones will take a little longer. Allow them to cool in pan, covered.
  • ►Meanwhile, make the vinaigrette. In a mixing bowl whisk together remaining olive oil, sherry vinegar, water, shallot, whole grain mustard, and 1 tablespoon herbs. Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting acidity as needed. Transfer to the fridge.
  • ►When beets have cooled to room temperature, use your hands to peel off skins, with the assistance of a peeler as needed (wear gloves if you don’t want your hands to turn pink). Then slice beets into eighths and transfer to a mixing bowl. Toss with vinaigrette to marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to several hours covered in the fridge.
  • ►To serve, first taste and adjust seasoning as needed, then transfer beets to a serving dish. Top with crumbled Roquefort, toasted walnuts, remaining herbs, a drizzle of olive oil and a touch
  • of flaky salt if you like.

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