Beet And Goat Cheese Salad: The Perfect Dressing Match

A beet and goat cheese salad is a colourful, tangy, and flavourful dish that can be served as a side or a main course. The sweetness of the beetroot pairs well with the saltiness of the goat cheese, and the addition of nuts and a vinaigrette dressing adds a crunchy texture and a tangy flavour. The best dressing for a beet and goat cheese salad is a vinaigrette, specifically a honey-balsamic vinaigrette made with honey, Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, shallots, salt, pepper, and vegetable oil.

Balsamic vinaigrette dressing

A beet and goat cheese salad is a colourful, tangy, and flavourful dish. Balsamic vinaigrette is a great choice of dressing for this salad, adding a sweet, tangy flavour that brings the dish together.

To make a balsamic vinaigrette, you will need olive oil, balsamic vinegar, a sweetener such as honey or maple syrup, and some seasonings like garlic, mustard, salt, and pepper. You can also add in some red wine vinegar or lemon for a more complex flavour profile.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of a sweetener (honey or maple syrup)
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

• Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl or a jar.
• Whisk or shake vigorously to combine.
• Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
• Drizzle the desired amount over your beet and goat cheese salad.

This dressing can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days.

When assembling the salad, simply combine your greens, beets, goat cheese, and any other desired toppings. You can also add in some crunchy nuts or seeds, like walnuts or pine nuts, for added texture. Drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette on top, toss to combine, and serve!

Honey-dijon vinaigrette dressing

Honey-dijon vinaigrette is a great dressing to use with a beet and goat cheese salad. This dressing is simple to make and can be stored in the fridge for up to two weeks. The sweetness of the honey balances the acidity of the vinegar, and the mustard adds a tangy flavour. Here is a recipe for a honey-dijon vinaigrette dressing:

Ingredients:

• Olive oil
• Honey
• Dijon mustard
• Red wine vinegar
• Shallots
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

• Combine the honey, Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, shallots, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
• Whisk the ingredients together.
• While whisking, slowly add the olive oil in a steady stream until well combined.
• Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning if needed.
• Drizzle the dressing over the salad and serve immediately.

You can also add some walnuts to the salad for a crunchy texture and nutty flavour. This dressing is also versatile and can be used in other recipes, such as wraps, veggies, or as a marinade for meat.

Maple-candied walnuts

Ingredients

• 1 cup walnuts
• 1 ½ tablespoons honey or maple syrup
• A pinch of sea salt flakes

Instructions

First, make the honey candied walnuts. Pour the honey or maple syrup into a medium saucepan. Add the salt and heat on a medium-low heat. Stir the mixture to help the salt dissolve. Once the honey starts bubbling, turn off the heat and add the walnuts. Stir well to coat all the walnuts with the honey.

Pour the walnuts onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Place into the oven and bake for 7 minutes or until golden.

Tips

You can toast your own walnuts to add another layer of nutty flavour to your salad.

Serving suggestions

Roasted beets

Selecting and Preparing the Beets

Start by choosing medium-sized beets with a firm texture. Scrub the beets under running water to remove any dirt. You can leave about an inch of the stem attached, but trim any long tails.

Roasting the Beets

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place each beet on a large piece of aluminium foil. Drizzle the beets with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Wrap the foil around each beet to form a neat packet. Place the wrapped beets on a baking sheet and put them in the oven. Roast for 40 to 90 minutes, depending on the size of your beets. They are done when you can easily insert a fork or knife through the foil.

Cooling and Peeling the Beets

Remove the beets from the oven and let them cool down. Once they are cool enough to handle, use your hands or a paring knife to peel the skin. The skins should slide off easily. Rinse the beets under running water to ensure you remove all the skin.

Storing the Roasted Beets

Let the beets cool completely and then chill them in the refrigerator until you are ready to assemble your salad. Roasted beets can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.

Assembling the Salad

Slice the beets into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Arrange your salad greens on a platter or individual plates. Top with the roasted beets, along with the remaining ingredients such as goat cheese, walnuts, and your chosen dressing.

Goat cheese

Choosing the Right Goat Cheese

Preparing the Goat Cheese

When adding goat cheese to your salad, you can simply crumble it or tear it into small pieces and sprinkle it on top of the other ingredients. This will give your salad a beautiful presentation and allow the flavours of the cheese to blend with the other components.

Pairing with Other Ingredients

• Beets: Roast or boil beets and cut them into wedges or slices. You can use classic red beets or try golden beets, pink Chioggia beets, or a mix of different varieties for a colourful salad.
• Greens: Combine peppery arugula with spring mix or baby spinach for a fresh and earthy base.
• Nuts: Walnuts are a popular choice for their crunchy texture and nutty flavour. You can also try pistachios, pecans, almonds, or pine nuts. Toasting the nuts beforehand can add an extra layer of flavour.
• Fruit: Pears, apples, or avocados can provide a sweet and tangy contrast to the goat cheese. You can slice or chop them and add them fresh or roast them along with the beets.
• Dressing: A balsamic vinaigrette made with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup or honey, and Dijon mustard is a perfect complement to the beet and goat cheese salad. You can also add ingredients like garlic or shallots for extra flavour.

Remember, you can always adjust the ingredients and quantities to suit your taste preferences and what you have on hand.

Frequently asked questions