Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese and Toasted Walnuts
A couple of week ago, I made a pretty bold statement on Twitter…
I’ve decided pretty much everything tastes better with toasted nuts? Who agrees?
Ok. I’m sure more important and controversial statements have been made before, but, everyone who responded back, pretty much agreed with me, and trust me when I say this never happens rarely happens in my household of 4 super agumentative opinionated people, so I was pretty excited to say the least!
I even got a message from California Walnuts asking me if I would like a bag of nuts to snack on.
Did you know that approximately 90% of the walnuts grown in the US are grown in California?
Um, yes, please!!!
Thank you California Walnuts!
So, those walnuts, plus this month’s love bloghop theme, #nutlove, leads me to this lovely sweet and savory beet, goat cheese, and walnut salad inspired by a similar one I fell in love with at Sammy’s in San Diego.
The ingredient list is simple, and once you roast the beets, everything else comes together quite easily.
Gorgeous Beets from Be Wise Ranch in San Diego
If you’re pressed for time, though, you can use pre-cooked beets, such as those found in the produce section at Trader Joes.
Just don’t cut too many corners and decide forgo toasting the nuts, because, like I said, pretty much everything tastes better with toasted nuts!
Here’s the recipe {gluten-free & vegetarian}…
Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese and Toasted Walnuts {Gluten Free, Grain Free, Vegetarian}
Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese & Toasted Walnuts
Cook
Total
Yield 2 servings
Ingredients
- 4 small to medium beets
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling on beets
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon golden balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 3 cups watercress or seasonal greens of choice
- 2 ounces goat cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Trim the greens and hard ends off beets and place them on a baking sheet or roasting pan lined with aluminum foil. Drizzle a little olive oil over the beets and sprinkle them with salt and pepper, then fold the aluminum foil around and over the beets to cover them. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until you can easily cut through the beets.
- Prepare the dressing while the beets are roasting by combining the olive oil, golden balsamic vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste. Set dressing aside.
- Once beets are done roasting, allow them to cool for about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, toast the nuts in the 400 degree oven for 5 minutes, and divide the greens between 2 salad plates. Lightly chop nuts after toasting and set aside.
- When beets are cool enough to handle. remove the skin, and slice in to circles, ~1/8 inch thick. Divide the beets in half and arrange them in an overlapping circle on top of the greens, then divide the nuts between the two plates, and place them in the middle of the beets. Divide goat cheese in half and crumble over the greens, beets, and walnuts, then drizzle the dressing over the salads and serve.
Nutrition Notes~
- Naturally gluten-free and vegetarian. Simply leave off the goat cheese for a vegan option.
- Walnuts are rich in alpha-linolenic acid, a plant-based omega-3 essential fatty acid, along with antioxidants, protein, fiber, magnesium, and phosphorus. These nutrients help make walnuts a nutritional superstar which may protect against heart disease and cancer. and may also help preserve cognitive function by helping to protect brain cells. In addition, walnuts contain melatonin, an antioxidant with sleep regulating properties, so the next time you find yourself tossing and turning, you may wish to nosh on a handful of walnuts instead of counting sheep!
- In addition to the health benefits provided by the nuts, this delicious salad offers antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification support from the beets, along with potential cancer prevention from the watercress.
Are you a nut lover? Do you have a favorite nut? What is it? Do you agree with me that pretty much everything tastes better with toasted nuts???
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How GORGEOUS are those beets? One of the best veggie combos around (along with the roasting & toasting of course) beets + walnuts + goat cheese.
Thanks Deanna, and I completely agree…beets + goat cheese + walnuts = amazing!!
I adore beets! The combo of this salad is just beautiful.
Thanks so much Angie 🙂
Oh this sounds so amazing!! One thing I really miss on my low fodmaps diet is beets. I didn’t realize how much I loved them until I had to give them up 🙁 I do LOVE goat cheese and walnuts though, so this salad could easily be modified. Walnuts are my favorite. Thank you California!!
Sorry you can’t enjoy beets anymore Gina 🙁 But, you are so right…pretty much any roasted veggie would be delicious with this!
This is absolutely gorgeous! Would you believe I’ve never had beets? They’re one of my husband’s favorite veggies, though, so I really should give them a try. 🙂
Thanks Kiersten 🙂 Do you know I hated beets as a kid & didn’t start liking them until a few years ago??? Definitely give this a try. I think you and your hubby will both love it!
This recipe is singing to me!! I love beet salads!!! Thank you for not posting a cookie recipe. 🙂
This looks so good and fresh, wish I had some right now. I love beets and don’t make them enough!!
I love beet salad, especially with toasted walnuts. This salad is already on my Christmas menu. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to get my beets at a Farmer’s market. They are long gone in Illinois.
Sending lots of #nutlove your way.
Sorry to hear you can’t find any beets in your Farmer’s Market right now 🙁 Lot’s of #beetlove going your way too!
I 110% agree with you! A toasted nut on anything takes it up 3 notches!!! My fav? Walnuts and pistachios to nibble and pecans to cook with. Love your beet salad, especially with the addition of the golden, it make a very festive dish! I LOVE beets, LOVE them! I have never bought watercress, isn’t that odd? I need to give it a whirl. Thanks for yet, ANOTHER amazing post. Happy work week!!
Thanks Teri! The watercress was a spur of the moment decision. I usually make this w/ arugula, but there was none to be found and the watercress looked so crisp and pretty, so I decided to use it. It adds a nice peppery kick just like arugula and it’s loaded w/ nutrients so a perfect “win, win” 🙂
This salad looks just delicious! And so pretty! 🙂
I only tried beets on salads until recently and fell in love! They at such a burst of flavor. 🙂
Thanks so much Kristen! I was quite late to the beet love scene too 🙂
I have been obsessing on beets lately! I hadn’t had them in years, then had a similar salad at Paon in Carlsbad and now I simply can’t get enough. So glad I popped over here (saw your comment on G+), and I just clicked on the farm link… they have a CSA delivery dropoff less than 2 miles from me. I think I might give it a try!
Awesome recipe, and wonderful photos too!
Thanks so much and so glad you popped over here too Kim 🙂 Joining a CSA has been on my list to do/check out for awhile. Let me know if you join one-I’d love to hear all about it!
lovely salad and I look forward to seeing the completed gingerbread house
Thanks Rebecca! Will post photos of the gingerbread house when it is done for sure We just need to get some more frosting first, since the kids keep “tasting” it 🙂
I’ve noticed that beet salads are often on the menu at our local restaurants and I often order them. This salad looks just like them. Beautiful!
Thanks Kristi! Market Restaurant in San Diego is where I tried my first beet salad, and I have been in love w/ beets ever since!
Where do I begin? I love walnuts, goat cheese, and beets. This can’t get any better. I have roasted beets in my fridge already. I bought a bunch last week and didn’t use, so I roasted them in the oven and I’m adding them to salad or eating them alone. I don’t usually toast nuts but I should!
Yes, yes, yes Nour…You must toast your nuts for sure!! I think this salad would be great w/ a few of your gorgeous persimmons on top as well!
This salad looks amazing! I have serious nut love. Love nuts {and seeds} on just about everything. They are so good for you too! This past week, I toasted some macadamia nuts to top my carrot soup. WOW…they were so much tastier toasted up….who knew?
Love your photography EA….beautiful. YOU are an inspiration!
Oh, my goodness Kate~Thanks so much for the lovely comment-makes my day 🙂 Would love your carrot soup recipe BTW~sounds fabulous with toasted macadamia nuts on top!!!
I agree, I’ll top almost anything with nuts or cheese for that matter.
Oh just look at that, so pretty, full of bold colors, flavors and balanced so well. I will have a large plateful please x
One large plateful coming your way Deena!!! xoxo