FENNEL, BEET AND ORANGE SALAD WITH OLIVES

Fennel, Beet and Orange Salad with Olives image

Yield Makes 30 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

12 medium beets, trimmed
2 tablespoons grated orange peel
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon fennel seeds, crushed
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1 cup olive oil
6 fennel bulbs, trimmed (fronds reserved), halved lengthwise, thinly sliced crosswise
12 large navel oranges
1 1/2 cups halved pitted Kalamata olives

Steps:

Preheat oven to 400°F. Wrap beets in foil. Place on baking sheet. Roast beets until tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Cool. Peel beets; cut into rounds.
Mix orange peel, mustard and fennel seeds in bowl. Whisk in vinegar. Gradually whisk in oil. Season with salt and pepper. (Beets and dressing can be made 1 day ahead. Cover separately; chill. Bring dressing to room temperature before using.)
Place fennel slices in bowl. Toss with enough dressing to coat. Cut peel and white pith from oranges. Cut oranges into rounds. Alternate beets and oranges along edge of platters, overlapping. Spoon fennel slices into center; sprinkle with olives. Drizzle remaining dressing over beets and oranges. Chop fronds; sprinkle over salad.