Chioggia Beets With Raspberry Mint Vinaigrette Recipes

CHIOGGIA BEETS WITH RASPBERRY MINT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Cover beets with water by 1 inch in a 2- to 3-quart saucepan and simmer until tender when pierced in center with a fork, about 30 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold running water. Let stand until cool enough to handle, then slip off and discard skins. Cut beets into 1/4-inch-thick slices.
• While beets are cooking, stir together scallions, 2 tablespoons vinegar, lemon juice to taste, mint, zest, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add oil in a slow stream, whisking until combined. Add warm beets and toss with vinaigrette and vinegar and salt to taste. Serve warm or slightly chilled.
• *Sometimes called candy-cane beets, chioggias become more aggressive in flavor as they age, so search out relatively young beets, with a diameter of 1 1/2 to 2 inches.

BEET CARPACCIO WITH MINT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Fill a pot with 3 inches of water, insert a steamer basket, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium or medium-low and place beets inside the steamer basket. Cover pot. Cook until beets are easily pierced with a knife, checking water level periodically, 35 to 50 minutes. Remove from heat and cool, about 30 minutes.
• Peel the beets; if you are using red and golden beets, peel the golden ones first so you don't end up turning them pink. Remove any remaining root stems. Thinly slice beets and arrange on a serving platter. I use a round plate and start in the center, alternating red and golden beet slices. Dot the top with goat cheese - you want to be able to see the beets but have enough cheese because it pairs so well with the beet. Sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper.
• Combine rice vinegar, olive oil, mint, and sugar in a small bowl. Drizzle over beets.

ROASTED CHIOGGIA BEETS WITH FETA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of the raspberry vinegar, 1 1/2 tablespoons of the honey, the shallot, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper.
• Whisk in the grapeseed oil until emulsified.
• Arrange the beets so they fit snugly in a single layer in a deep baking dish. Add enough water to barely cover the beets, then add the remaining 1/4 cup of vinegar and 1 1/2 tablespoons of honey and the butter.
• Season with salt and pepper. Cover with foil and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the beets are tender when pierced with a knife.
• Let cool slightly.
• Drain and peel the beets and slice them 1/4 inch thick. Add them to the honey dressing and let cool for up to 4 hours.
• To serve, arrange half of the beet slices on 8 small plates and cover with the feta. Top with the remaining beet slices and drizzle each serving with about 1 tablespoon of the dressing.
• Garnish with the greens and serve.

ROASTED CHIOGGIA BEETS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F; wash beets and trim stems to within 1 inch.
• Place beets on a large sheet of aluminum foil, toss with 3 tablespoons oil, peppercorns, garlic, thyme, and salt.
• Wrap in the foil, place on a baking sheet, and roast until tender, 25 to 50 minutes (depending on the size of the beets).
• Once beets are cool enough to handle, rub each with a paper towel to remove skin; trim off stems and roots.
• Place beets ina bag, season with half the olive oil, half the sherry vinegar, and a pinch of salt; vacuum seal.
• Refrigerate beets and allow to marinate 8 to 12 hours.
• Just before serving, season with remaining olive oil and sherry vinegar.