Cauliflower Beets And Watercress With Orange Ginger Dressing Recipes

ROASTED BEETS WITH CRISPY SUNCHOKES AND PICKLED ORANGE-GINGER PURéE

Steps:

• Pickled Orange-Ginger Purée:
• Place the zest strips in a small saucepan and cover with water. Bring the water to a boil, then drain. Repeat this process two more times (blanching the orange zest removes any bitter flavors). Place the ginger and orange zest in a jar or heatproof container. In a saucepan, bring the lime juice, vinegar, sugar, and ¾ teaspoon salt to a boil. Pour over the ginger and orange. Let cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate overnight. The pickled ginger can be refrigerated for a couple of months.
• Drain the pickled ginger and orange and save 3 tablespoons of the pickling liquid. Add both to a blender or mini food processor, along with the olive oil, chile, and remaining 2 tablespoons salt. Blend until very smooth, scraping down the side of the blender as needed. Transfer to a container and refrigerate until ready to use. The puree can be made a couple of days ahead. (Makes about 1 cup.)
• Roasted beets:
• Preheat the oven to 375°F. Place the beets in a baking dish (if using a mix of red and golden beets, separate them into two smaller dishes and divide the oil, vinegar, and water between the two dishes). Drizzle with the oil and add the water and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Cover the pan with foil and roast until the beets are tender when pierced with a knife; this can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the thickness of the beets. Let the beets cool, then peel and cut into 1-inch wedges. Place each color of beet, along with any accumulated juices, into a small mixing bowl.
• Toasted cashews:
• In a skillet, heat the oil over medium-low heat. Add the cashews and cook, stirring constantly, until golden brown. Transfer to a heat-proof bowl.
• Sunchoke chips:
• Pour 1 inch of oil into a small saucepan and add the sunchokes (there should be just enough oil to cover the sunchokes; add more oil if needed). Turn the heat to medium and stir occasionally; when the sunchokes begin to sizzle and foam, increase the temperature to high and continue frying, stirring constantly, until the sunchokes are light golden brown. At this point the sunchokes will rapidly go from golden brown to burnt, so quickly transfer the chips to paper towels to drain. Lightly season with salt. The sunchoke chips can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two, or until they start to soften. (Makes about ½ cup.)
• For serving:
• Using a sharp knife, cut the peel and pith off the orange. Working over a bowl, cut the orange between the membranes to release the segments. Dice the segments, then return them to the bowl.
• Drizzle the beet wedges with a little bit of olive oil, season with salt, and toss.
• Spread the ginger puree on the bottom of a shallow serving bowl or plate. Arrange the beets over the puree. Sprinkle the chopped orange segments over the beets and grind some pepper over the dish. Top with the cashews, herbs, and sunchoke chips. Serve.

CARROT, CAULIFLOWER AND BEET SALAD WITH ORANGE-ANISE DRESSING

Steps:

• Blend first 4 ingredients in blender until aniseed is finely chopped, abut 1 minutes. Strain dressing into medium bowl, pressing hard on seeds in strainer; discard seeds. Whisk in orange peel and honey. Season with salt and pepper.
• Steam cauliflower until crisp-tender, about 6 minutes. transfer to medium bowl. Steam carrots until tender but still bright in color, about 8 minutes. Transfer to another bowl. Steam beets until tender, adding more water to pot if needed, about 15 minutes. Transfer to another bowl. Cool all vegetables completely.
• Mix 1/2 cup dressing into cauliflower. Mix 1/4 cup dressing into beets. (Dressing and marinated vegetables can be made ahead. Cover separately and chill up to 1 day. Bring to room temperature before continuing.)
• Rinse and dry beet greens. Arrange on platter as base for salad. Drain dressing from vegetables. Overlap carrots around edge of platter. Arrange cauliflower in ring within carrots. Mound beets in center. Drizzle with some of remaining dressing. Serve salad with pita breads and any remaining dressing.

GINGERED ORANGE BEETS

Steps:

• Brush beets with 4 tablespoons oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Wrap loosely in foil; place on a baking sheet. Bake at 425° for 70-75 minutes or until fork-tender. Cool slightly., In a small bowl, whisk the vinegar, orange juice concentrate, 1 teaspoon orange zest, ginger and remaining oil; set aside. , Peel beets and cut into wedges; place in a serving bowl. Add the orange sections and pecans. Drizzle with orange sauce and toss to coat. Sprinkle with remaining orange zest.

CAULIFLOWER, BEETS AND WATERCRESS WITH ORANGE GINGER DRESSING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place beets in a small casserole and roast until very tender, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Let cool, then peel off skin, trim ends and cut into 1/2-inch cubes. Place in a large serving bowl.
• When beets are almost finished cooking, put some water in a large steamer and bring to a boil. Add cauliflower and steam until tender but still slightly crisp. Add cauliflower to beets in serving bowl.
• In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice, orange zest, vinegar, ginger, mustard and a large pinch of salt. Add olive oil a few drops at a time, whisking vigorously to emulsify. Season to taste with salt.
• Pour dressing over cauliflower and beets. Toss well to coat. Just before serving, add watercress and toss until evenly dispersed.