Insalata Margherita (Beet & Arugula Salad)
- 2 pounds young arugula, well washed, and spun dry
- 1 pound feta cheese (domestic or imported)
- 6 whole beets
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup vinegar (red wine or balsamic, or a mixture)
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or 1/2 tsp dried)
- Wash beets and trim of greens or stems. Place the beets on a generously sized sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Drizzle the vegetable oil over them, then rub the oil around each beet. Fold up the foil and seal them into a packet. Place the foil packet into a baking dish or onto a baking sheet, and roast in a 350u0b0F oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, until the beets are tender (a knife inserted will come out easily). Let cool fully!
- When the beets are cool, rub the skins off. A bit of running water helps doing this. Use a paring knife for any stubborn bits of skin.
- Cut up the beets into bite-size chunks. I prefer half-moon shapes, but any shape will do!
- Make a dressing with the olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic, sugar, and thyme.
- Dress the arugula with about half the dressing in a large mixing bowl, then transfer to a serving platter.
- Arrange the beets on top of the arugula. Break up the feta, and scatter over the beets and arugula. Dress with the remaining dressing.
- Serve immediately.
young arugula, feta cheese, beets, vegetable oil, extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, salt, freshly ground black pepper, sugar, garlic, thyme
Taken from food52.com/recipes/3304-insalata-margherita-beet-arugula-salad (may not work)