Prep time: 15 minutes / Total time: 1 hr 15 minutes
Serves 4
2 medium beets, washed and trimmed
½ cup walnuts, shaved on a grater or cut into pieces
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 teaspoons sherry vinegar
½ teaspoon chopped thyme
½ teaspoon salt
1 head red-leaf lettuce, washed and torn into pieces
½ medium red onion, thinly sliced
3 ounces goat cheese, thinly sliced or crumbled
Preheat the oven to 450. Wrap the beets in foil, place on a baking sheet and bake until tender and easily pierced with the tip of a knife, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove and let cool. When cool enough to handle, remove skins from beets and discard. Cut beets into thin wedges. Set aside in a small bowl.
Reduce oven temperature to 350 and toast walnuts in a small baking pan until fragrant, about 7 to 10 minutes. Remove from pan immediately.
In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, thyme and salt. Pour about 1 teaspoon of the dressing into the bowl with the beets, and toss to coat.
Add the lettuce to the dressing in the large bowl along with the onion and toasted walnuts, and toss gently. Divide among four serving plates. Arrange the beets on top of the salad, sprinkle with goat cheese, and serve immediately.
Judy Caplan is a registered dietitian with a private practice in preventative health in Reston, VA. Her children’s book, Gobey Gets Full -Good Nutrition in a Nutshell, is now available. Visit www.gobefull.com for more informationabout Judy and her company.
