Best Geraldine Ferraros Beet Salad Recipes

BEET AND BURRATA SALAD

Steps:

• For the beets: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Put the beets in an 8-inch square baking dish. Add the vinegar, salt, thyme sprigs and 3 tablespoons water to the baking dish. Toss well to coat. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and roast until the beets are tender all the way through, about 50 minutes. Allow the beets to cool slightly, then use a paper towel to rub off the skins. Cut the beets into quarters or sixths depending on the size. Toss with any of the remaining liquid from roasting. Set aside to cool slightly.
• For the dressing: Heat a small skillet over low heat. Add the oil, shallots and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and cook until the shallots are soft but not brown, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the vinegar, Dijon mustard and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add the cooled oil mixture and whisk to combine.
• For the salad: Add the arugula and beets to the dressing and toss gently to coat. Place the salad on a large platter and tear the burrata around the sides. Sprinkle with the pine nuts.

GERALDINE FERRARO'S BEET SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place beets in a roasting pan and bake, uncovered, for 2 hours or until they are tender.
• Allow to cool (or bathe in ice water), then peel and cut into julienne strips and place in a bowl.
• Whisk the oil and vinegar and add the garlic and oregano. Pour over the beets, season with salt and pepper to taste and marinate overnight in the refrigerator. Serve cold.

BEET AND GOAT CHEESE ARUGULA SALAD

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with foil. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Whisk the vinegar, shallots, and honey in a medium bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in the oil. Season the vinaigrette, to taste, with salt and pepper. Toss the beets in a small bowl with enough dressing to coat. Place the beets on the prepared baking sheet and roast until the beets are slightly caramelized, stirring occasionally, about 12 minutes. Set aside and cool.
• Toss the arugula, walnuts, and cranberries in a large bowl with enough vinaigrette to coat. Season the salad, to taste, with salt and pepper. Mound the salad atop 4 plates. Arrange the beets around the salad. Sprinkle with the avocado and goat cheese, and serve.

FARRO, ROASTED BEET AND GOAT CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Cut the greens off the beets and slice them into 1/2-inch pieces; reserve. Trim and discard the beet stems. Combine the beets, 2 tablespoons of the oil, 1 teaspoon salt, some pepper, 5 of the thyme sprigs and the garlic cloves on a baking sheet. Cover with foil and roast for 30 to 35 minutes, until easily pierced with a paring knife. Set aside to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, toast the pistachios in the oven for 5 minutes. Let cool.
• Melt the butter in a medium saucepan or lidded deep skillet over medium heat. Add the farro and toast for 2 minutes--the color will darken slightly and the farro will acquire a nutty fragrance. Add 2 cups water, 1 teaspoon salt and the remaining 5 thyme sprigs. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 25 minutes, or until al dente (cooked but still firm to the bite). Drain the farro well and pour into a serving bowl.
• While the farro is still hot, add the beet greens, tossing to allow the heat to wilt the greens. Set aside to cool completely.
• With a paper towel, remove the skins from the beets. Quarter the beets and add them to the bowl with the farro. Fold in the toasted pistachios.
• Squeeze the roasted garlic into a small bowl. Mash with a fork and season with salt and pepper. Add the vinegar and then whisk in the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Adjust the seasoning as desired.
• Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Top with the crumbled goat cheese.

FARRO SALAD WITH BEETS, GREENS AND FETA

Steps:

• Bring 2 quarts water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Fill a bowl with ice water. When the water comes to a boil, add salt to taste and the greens. Blanch for two minutes, and transfer to the ice water. Allow to cool for a few minutes, then drain and squeeze out excess water. Chop coarsely and set aside.
• Bring the water back to a boil, and add the farro. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer 45 minutes, stirring from time to time, or until the farro is tender. Remove from the heat and allow the grains to swell in the cooking water for 10 minutes, then drain.
• While the farro is cooking, make the vinaigrette. Whisk together the vinegars, salt, garlic and mustard. Whisk in the oil(s). Add to the farro. Peel and dice the beets and add, along with the beet greens, feta or goat cheese, herbs and walnuts. Toss together, and serve warm or room temperature with a little more cheese sprinkled over the top if you wish.

BEET AND BARLEY SALAD WITH DATE-CITRUS VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Wrap the beets individually in foil. Bake until tender when pierced with a fork, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. When cool enough to handle, peel the beets and cut into bite-size pieces.
• While the beets are roasting, make the barley: Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Add the barley and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes, or until al dente.
• While the barley is cooking, make the salad dressing: Squeeze the juice from the lemon (about 2 tablespoons) into a small bowl. Add the garlic and date honey, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir in the olive oil and set aside.
• When the barley is cooked, drain, rinse and drain again. Taste, adding more salt, if necessary, and let cool completely.
• When ready to serve, use your hands to gently mix the lettuce and herbs in a large salad bowl and scatter on the barley, beets, celery, cucumbers, shallots, figs and grapes. Top with the olives, pomegranate seeds and feta, and sprinkle on the dressing. Mix at the table and serve immediately.