Recipe :: Perfect Roasted Beets with Orange Segments

This is a Hip Hostess original recipe that I developed for Vegetarian Times.  It is the only roasted beet recipe you’ll ever need.   Roasting beets enhances their natural sweetness, and acidic ingredients like vinegar and citrus compliment their sweet, earthy flavor.  When making this recipe, roast a few extra beets to use in salads and sandwiches.  Try the recipe with golden beets and use blood oranges instead to create a contrast in color.

Perfect Roasted Beets with Citrus Segments

 4 medium beets (1¼ lb.), trimmed and scrubbed

2 medium oranges

1 Tbs. sherry vinegar

2 Tbs. lemon juice

½ tsp. salt

2 Tbs. olive oil

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.  Wrap each unpeeled beet individually in foil.  Place on baking sheet, and roast 40 minutes, or until beets are tender enough to be pierced with knife.  Cool until easy to handle.

2. Grate 1/2 tsp. zest from 1 orange; set zest aside.  Trim ends away from both oranges, stand fruit upright, and remove peel and pith with knife.  Hold fruit over bowl (to catch juice), and cut segments from membranes.  Cut each segment in half, and place in separate bowl.

3.  Whisk together 2 Tbs. orange juice (in bowl), vinegar, orange zest, lemon juice, and salt. Gradually whisk in oil.

4. Peel beets by rubbing off skin under cold running water.  Cut beets into 1-inch pieces,  and add to bowl with orange segments.  Top with vinaigrette, and toss well. Chill several hours, or up to 2 days.

Photo credit: Vegetarian Times

May/June 2010 (p.75)

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