Golden Beet and Endive Salad with Goat Brie

Contributor: Food & Wine Magazine, December, 1999

Red beets can easily be substituted for their milder, golden siblings. Dress them with balsamic vinegar instead of rice vinegar to lend a sweet note to this salad. The red endives called for below are similar in flavor to their pale cousins. This recipe can be prepared through Step 3 and refrigerated for up to 1 day.

Printer Friendly Format

Ingredients:

• 4 large California endives (about 1 1/2 pounds), preferably red
• 6 medium golden beets (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 medium shallots, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon aged red wine vinegar or sherry vinegar
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons walnut oil
• 6 ounces Brie, preferably goat's milk, cut into 1/4-inch slices

Note:

Slice the Brie while it is still cold but let the cheese come to room temperature before serving.

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°. Stand the beets in a baking dish and rub them with the olive oil. Cover with foil. Bake for about 1 hour, or until the beets are tender when pierced.
2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, toss the shallots with the rice vinegar and red wine vinegar. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt and season with pepper.
3. Peel the beets and cut them into chunks. In a food processor, pulse the beets until finely chopped; do not puree. Add the beets to the shallots and toss. Refrigerate until chilled.
4. Cut off the top 3 inches of the endives and reserve. Halve and core the rest of the endives, then thinly slice crosswise. Toss the sliced endives with the walnut oil and season with salt and pepper. Mound the sliced endives on plates and arrange the spears around them. Toss the beets and spoon them onto the endive spears. Garnish with the cheese and serve. Serves 8

Back to Recipe Index