Walnut Vinaigrette Over Baby Greens With Roasted Beets Recipes

THE FOOD LAB'S WALNUT VINAIGRETTE RECIPE

Steps:

• Combine walnuts, vinegar, water, mustard, honey, and shallot in a medium bowl and whisk together. To keep it from moving, set bowl inside a heavy medium saucepan lined with a dish towel. Whisking constantly, slowly drizzle in olive and canola oil; the dressing should emulsify and thicken significantly. Whisk in walnut oil, if using. Season with salt and pepper. The dressing will keep in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks; shake vigorously before using.

ROASTED BEETS AND BABY GREENS WITH CORINADER VINAIGRETTE AND CILANTRO PESTO

Steps:

• For vinaigrette:
• Stir coriander in small skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 4 minutes. Cool. Coarsely grind coriander in mortar with pestle or in spice mill. Transfer to small bowl. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in same skillet over medium heat. Add shallots; sauté until soft, about 3 minutes. Transfer to bowl with coriander. Add vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper. Gradually whisk in 7 tablespoons oil. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill; discard garlic after 1 hour. Let vinaigrette stand at room temperature 1 hour before using.)
• For pesto:
• Puree first 9 ingredients in blender until smooth. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Reblend before continuing.) Whisk in lime juice.
• For beets:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Wash and dry beets. Cut off beet greens 1 inch from top of beets; reserve for another use. Rub beets with oil. Place light-colored beets in 1 roasting pan and red beets in another; sprinkle with coarse salt. Cover pans tightly with foil. Roast until beets are just tender, about 55 minutes. Cool slightly. Using towel, rub off peel and stems from beets. Cut beets in half. Place light-colored beets and red beets in 2 separate bowls. Toss beets in each bowl with 2 tablespoons vinaigrette. Let stand 30 minutes. Toss lettuces in bowl with some of vinaigrette to coat lightly; divide among plates and top with beets. Drizzle pesto around salads and serve.

WALNUT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Place all of the ingredients, except the oils, in a blender and process on high speed. With the machine running, gradually add the olive and walnut oils until the vinaigrette is emulsified, about 1 minute. Refrigerate until ready to serve. (The vinaigrette can be prepared up to 1 week in advance, covered and refrigerated.)
• Note: To toast walnuts, place the walnuts in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F. oven, stirring occasionally, until toasted, 8 to 12 minutes. Cool completely.

ROASTED BABY BEETS AND SAUTEED BEET GREENS

Steps:

• Take 3 bunches of baby beets, washed well with tops. Cut off the tops, and place the beets in a roasting pan, toss with olive oil and add rosemary sprigs. Roast at 375 for about 30 minutes. Remove skin while warm, and cut in half. Meanwhile saute the beet greens in olive oil and add a splash of balsamic vinegar. Season with salt and pepper and place on plate, top with baby beets.

WALNUT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together vinegar and mustard. Gradually whisk in the walnut oil until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper. Cover, and refrigerate until ready to use. Before using, whisk well. Store in an airtight container, refrigerated, up to 1 day.

BABY GREENS WITH ROASTED BEETS AND POTATOES

Steps:

• Make vinaigrette:
• Whisk together vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper. Add oil in a slow stream, whisking until emulsified.
• Roast beets and potatoes:
• Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 425°F.
• Wrap beets individually in foil and roast on a baking sheet in upper third of oven until tender, 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Once beets have roasted for 30 minutes, toss potatoes with oil and salt in a small baking pan and roast in lower third of oven, shaking pan occasionally, until potatoes are tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Carefully unwrap beets and cool slightly, then slip off and discard skins.
• Assemble salad:
• Cut beets into 1/3-inch dice and put in a large salad bowl. Cut potatoes into 1/3-inch-thick slices and add to beets along with all greens and herbs. Add vinaigrette and toss gently to coat.
• Sprinkle blossoms on top and serve immediately.
• *Available at farmers' markets and specialty produce markets.