Beet Carpaccio with Goat Cheese and Candied Walnuts

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This earthy appetizer is a more traditional recipe for beets and often appears in different forms on restaurant menus.

Ingredients

Beets:

  • 4 large or 8 small beets, preferably golden or mixed colour
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Candied walnuts:

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable or walnut oil
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 cup walnut halves

Salad:

  • 2 cups baby arugula
  • 2 tablespoons torn mint leaves
  • 4 ounces (125 grams) goat cheese, crumbled

Dressing:

  • 2 shallots, chopped (about ¼ cup)
  • 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon walnut oil
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Maldon salt to taste
  • Freshly ground pepper to taste

Method

Preheat oven to 450 F. Toss beets with olive oil. Place in a baking dish and cover with foil. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until tender. Cool and skin.

Heat oil in small non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Add walnuts and sauté for 1 minute. Add sugar and cook until walnuts are coated with sugar and pale gold in colour (about 2 minutes). Quickly remove nuts to parchment-lined sheet. Cool.

Divide arugula between four plates. Slice beets very thinly and lay on top of arugula. Scatter with goat cheese and mint.

Combine shallots, sherry vinegar, walnut oil, extra virgin olive oil. Drizzle over salads and finish with Maldon salt and pepper. Serves 4.