Refreshing Citrus and Beet Salad

Ingredients

• 2 beets
• ⅓ c + 1 tsp Extra Virgin olive oil, divided
• Kosher salt and black pepper
• 1 small shallot, thinly sliced
• 2 Tbsp orange juice
• 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 Tbsp your favorite mustard
• 2-3 oranges, preferably a mix of naval and blood oranges or tangerines
• 6 c mixed greens, such as arugula, radicchio, spinach, or baby kale
• ¼ c toasted pepitas
• ¼ c crumbled goat cheese (optional)

Instructions

1. To roast the beets, preheat oven to 400°. Cut the ends off of the beets, then place on a small square of heavy duty foil. Drizzle with 1 tsp olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Cover with another square of foil, and foil over edges to make a packet.
2. Place packet on a baking sheet and roast until beets are very tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Let cool, then peel beets using your hands. Cut into ½-inch pieces.
3. Meanwhile, make the vinaigrette. Add shallot, orange juice, apple cider vinegar and mustard to a small bowl. Whisk together and season with salt and pepper. Pour remaining olive oil in a steady stream, whisking constantly until emulsified. Set aside.
4. To assemble the salad, cut the ends off of each orange. Using a serrated knife, cut off the peel and pith from sides, working your way around the orange until peel is gone. Cut each orange crosswise into 4 to 5 ½-inch slices. Remove seeds as needed.
5. Add greens, beets and half of orange slices to a large serving bowl. Season with salt. Add half of vinaigrette and toss until well-coated. Add more vinaigrette if desired. Garnish your citrus and beet salad with any remaining orange slices, pepitas, and goat cheese, if desired.

Recipe Notes

• Feel free to get creative with garnishes! Swap the shallots for chopped red onion, or try toasted hazelnuts or pistachios instead of pepitas.
• Mixing in a cup of thinly sliced fennel with the greens would add lightness and depth.
• In the case you still have leftover citrus (and perhaps a sweet-tooth), try this recipe for Citrus Almond Upside-Down Cake.