Thursday, October 24, 2013

“Local” Roasted Beets with Goat Cheese and Walnuts – Kill Once, Cook Twice

They say if you video blog long enough, you’ll eventually post a snuff film. Okay, so no one says that, but that’s what this roasted beets with goat cheese and walnuts kind of felt like, as I harvested my homegrown, and completely defenseless beet.

I was obviously kidding about vegetables being able to sense pain, but the more I think about it, who knows? Anyway, until I find out otherwise, I’ll assume the bloody root didn’t suffer for my pleasure, and just enjoy its incredible goodness. It’s the same assumption I use when eating chicken wings.

There are very few things that pair as perfectly as roasted beets and goat cheese. Simply a match made in occasional-vegetarian heaven. When you toss in some crunchy walnuts, foraged greens, and a simple walnut oil/vinegar dressing, you have something that’s way beyond the sum of the parts. 

I really can’t think of a more perfect fall lunch. By the way, in addition to making a great mid-day meal, this would also work nicely as a fancy side dish come holiday time, and you have plenty of time to practice. I hope you give this a try soon. Enjoy!


Ingredients for 2 portions:
1 or 2 tbsp walnut oil
1 roasted beet (*about 8 oz)
2 oz goat cheese
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup roasted chopped walnuts
2 tbsp champagne or sherry vinegar
thinly sliced beet greens and fresh chives to top
toasted walnut bread to serve with

*Note: Since beets come in all sorts of sizes, you’ll just have to go by feel. Roast a beet or two, slice it up, see how much you have, pick a baking dish that large enough for one layer, cover the bottom with walnut oil, toss in the beets, fill in between with goat cheese, season, bake and dress as you see fit.

18 comments:

Dustin said...

Read THE SECRET LIFE OF PLANTS by Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird if you want to find out if plants actually feel. That poor beet was probably screaming the entire time you were "harvesting" it.

Unknown said...

Hi Chef John! This is visually beautiful! I really love beets, people don't give them enough credit. Thanks!

Unknown said...

AAAAAwwwwwwww pooooor beet!

Sandra from Montreal said...

What a gorgeous recipe! :)

PJ said...

Beets are an excellent diet food... most people would rather starve than eat one. Thanks, but no thanks!

K said...

Love beets - you mention a citrus vinegar. Wine pairing suggestion?

Chef John said...

Sorry, i'm a beer guy! Maybe someone else knows.

PositiveAlanna said...

Mmmm! I love beets! Its the goat cheese I can't do...

Amelia Chesley said...

so what do you do with the beet greens?

Jackie Reynolds said...

PositiveAlanna, I thought I didn't like goat cheese either but I've discovered that some (the milder ones) are really good. I like Costco's.
Chef John, is the walnut bread a yeast bread with walnuts in it or a sweet bread?

Chef John said...

It was a yeast bread!

Julia C. said...

Chef John,

This was delish! We paired it with your duck "Sous Vide" recipe, both were huge hits, and so easy to make at the same time. Thanks for making us the toast of yet another great dinner party!

Unknown said...

This is my first time trying beets and holy. that's all i have to say... HOLY... i didnt even have walnut oil.... i didn't even wait to top it with beets green or walnut... I even kinda burnt the goats cheese a teeeny bit and it was holy good!!! can't imagine if i did it right O.O

Boozy Tooth said...

Whoa. A new favorite beet dish. My husband who didn't used to be a beet fan, is now converted. Thanks for the awesome recipe. As my British friend likes to say: scrummy!

Unknown said...

Tried this tonight, with some beautiful orange and red beets I found at the market. Sadly when I bought them thinking of this recipe I forgot the Walnuts, Walnut oil, and Sherry vinegar so I changed it swapping out the Walnuts for Pecan's, olive oil spray for the walnut oil, and used a vinaigrette of teaspoon of Balsamic Vinegar, fresh squeezed Orange Juice and the Zest of that orange for the dressing. It was totally AMAZING.

I've always liked pickled beets, and even beet salads, but now I have a great recipe for hot beets that will make me eat till I'm sick! Again I think you make these amazing recipes to torment us poor souls who used to be happy with MRE's and processed crap…. keep it up!

Aidann said...

I just made this for lunch. Found a sale on beets in the spring...go figure. Really amazing, I love this! I have to say I'm thrilled I have 2 more beets left! :)

Unknown said...

My cat hissed when she heard the beets scream.

Billy MacKenzie said...

Pretty sure that Beet had it coming.