Frederic Melton
Roasted beets with goat cheese is a delicious and healthy side dish that can be served warm, at room temperature, or cold. The earthy sweetness of the beets pairs wonderfully with the tangy, creamy goat cheese, and the dish can be enhanced with a variety of herbs and other ingredients. This simple recipe can be made even more flavorful and nutritious by adding herbs such as rosemary, thyme, mint, and parsley, as well as ingredients like balsamic reduction, walnuts, and pecans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Side Dish |
| Seasonality | Spring and Fall |
| Cheese | Goat Cheese, Feta Cheese |
| Nuts | Walnuts, Almonds, Pecans |
| Herbs | Chives, Thyme, Rosemary, Parsley, Mint |
| Other Ingredients | Arugula, Spinach, Lemon Juice, Red Onion, Olive Oil, Balsamic Reduction/Vinaigrette, Honey, Orange Zest, Orange Juice, Salt, Pepper |
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What You'll Learn
Chives, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar
Chives
Chives offer a delicate onion-like flavour that complements the earthy sweetness of roasted beets and the tangy creaminess of goat cheese. Finely chop the chives and sprinkle them over the dish just before serving. This adds a beautiful green colour and a subtle, savory kick to the dish.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is a versatile ingredient that serves as the perfect base for roasting beets. Before roasting, rub or drizzle olive oil on the beets to coat them evenly. This helps to enhance their natural sweetness and creates a moist, tender texture. Olive oil also forms the foundation of a delicious balsamic vinaigrette, which can be drizzled over the finished dish.
Balsamic Vinegar
Balsamic vinegar adds a unique touch to the dish with its sweet and tangy flavour. It can be used in two ways: as a reduction or as a vinaigrette. To make a balsamic reduction, simmer the vinegar until it becomes thick and syrupy. This concentrated form adds a pop of acidity and sweetness to the dish. Alternatively, you can create a balsamic vinaigrette by whisking together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, a touch of maple syrup, garlic, and mustard. This vinaigrette brings all the flavours of the salad together and adds a delicate sharpness.
When combined, chives, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar create a flavour profile that enhances the natural sweetness of beets and balances the tangy, creamy goat cheese. This trio is a simple yet effective way to elevate your roasted beet and goat cheese creation.
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Parsley, mint, honey, and orange
Another option is to make roasted beets with goat cheese and orange vinaigrette, topped with fresh mint. The bright citrus flavor of the orange vinaigrette pairs well with the sweetness of the roasted beets. The longer the beets sit in the vinaigrette, the better their flavor. It is important to add the dressing to the roasted beets while they are still warm so that they absorb some of the dressing. Before serving, allow the beets to stand at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, then transfer to a serving bowl and top with goat cheese and mint.
You can also try adding orange to a beet salad with goat cheese and honey. The sweetness of the honey balances the earthiness of the beets, and the addition of orange zest can enhance the flavor even more.
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Thyme, rosemary, and toasted pecans
For a roasted beets and goat cheese dish, you can use a vegetable peeler to peel the outer skin from the beets. Then, cut off the stem and slice the beets into 1/2-inch to 1-inch cubes. Place the beets in a large bowl and toss them with oil, salt, and pepper. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the beets in a single layer. Roast them in the oven at 400°F for 30-40 minutes, or until they are tender. Add the pecans after 20 minutes of cooking, and sprinkle the goat cheese and herbs when the beets are fork-tender.
You can also make a roasted beet salad with goat cheese, thyme, rosemary, and toasted pecans. To make the salad, roast the beets and let them cool. Then, combine them with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper, and chopped parsley. Whisk together the dressing ingredients and add them to the salad bowl. Finally, add the marinated beets, goat cheese, and toasted pecans, and gently toss everything together.
The earthy flavor of beets pairs well with creamy goat cheese, and the addition of thyme, rosemary, and toasted pecans enhances the dish with a fresh pop of flavor and a delightful texture.
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Arugula, walnuts, and apples
To make this salad, you can use any variety of beets, such as red beets, golden beets, or pink Chioggia beets. If you can, use a mix of colours, but if red beets are all that's available, don't worry—the salad will still look beautiful and taste great. You can also use spinach or arugula as the base of the salad, providing a nice peppery bite.
For the walnuts, spread them on a baking sheet and toast them in the oven until golden brown and fragrant. Be sure to watch carefully as they burn quickly. Once cooled, chop the walnuts and set them aside.
For the apples, slice and chop them into bite-sized pieces, making it easier to take bites with a little bit of everything. You can use any type of apple you like, such as Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Rave apples.
Now, assemble the salad. Add the arugula to a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Then, layer on the chopped beets, goat cheese, walnuts, and apples. You can also add microgreens or shallots for extra flavour and texture. Finally, drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette and season with flaky sea salt and pepper to taste.
This salad is a perfect healthy side dish or main course and can be served with proteins like chicken, shrimp, chickpeas, or tofu. It's a simple yet impressive dish that's sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
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Sage, almonds, and walnuts
Roasted beets with goat cheese is a delicious and healthy side dish that can be served warm, at room temperature, or cold. This dish can be enhanced with the addition of sage, almonds, and walnuts, creating a symphony of flavours and textures.
Sage is an aromatic herb that belongs to the mint family. When paired with beets and goat cheese, it adds a savory and slightly earthy note to the dish. Its pungent aroma and slightly bitter taste complement the sweetness of roasted beets. Sage can be used in place of other herbs commonly used with beets and goat cheese, such as rosemary or thyme.
Almonds, on the other hand, provide a satisfying crunch and a nutty flavour. Toasting the almonds enhances their flavour and texture, making them a delightful addition to the creamy goat cheese and tender beets. Almonds can be used whole, chopped, or sliced, depending on the desired presentation and texture.
Walnuts are another type of nut that pairs exceptionally well with beets and goat cheese. They offer a similar crunch and nutty flavour as almonds but with a slightly different taste profile. Walnuts can be used in their whole form or chopped, and toasting them brings out their flavour even more. When combined with the other ingredients, walnuts contribute to a well-rounded and satisfying dish.
When creating a dish with beets, goat cheese, sage, almonds, and walnuts, consider the following preparation methods. Firstly, the beets can be roasted in the oven after being washed, peeled, and cut into desired sizes. Drizzling olive oil and wrapping them in aluminium foil before roasting helps retain their moisture. Secondly, the goat cheese can be crumbled or dolloped on top of the beets, providing a creamy tanginess that complements the other ingredients. Finally, the sage, almonds, and walnuts can be incorporated in various ways. The sage leaves can be chopped finely and sprinkled over the dish, while the almonds and walnuts can be added whole, chopped, or toasted, depending on the desired texture and presentation.
In conclusion, the combination of sage, almonds, and walnuts with beets and goat cheese creates a unique and delectable flavour profile. The earthiness of sage, the crunch of almonds and walnuts, and the creamy tanginess of goat cheese come together to elevate this simple dish into something extraordinary.
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Frequently asked questions
Herbs that go well with beets and goat cheese include rosemary, thyme, chives, and sage. Parsley and mint are also good additions to a beet and goat cheese salad.
One recipe for roasted beets with goat cheese involves tossing the beets in olive oil, salt, pepper, and thyme, and then roasting them at 400°F for 45 minutes. After they are roasted, top with crumbled goat cheese, balsamic reduction, and a little more fresh thyme, salt, and pepper.
Beets and goat cheese pair well with walnuts, almonds, or pecans. They also go well with fruits such as apples, berries, and lemons. Other ingredients that can be added include balsamic vinegar, honey, olive oil, and red onions.
Beets and goat cheese can be served as a side dish or as part of a salad. They can be served warm, at room temperature, or cold.
