GOLDEN AND LONG BEET SALAD WITH ROQUEFORT

Golden and Long Beet Salad with Roquefort image

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 8

6 very small golden beets* (about 3/4 pound with greens)
6 very small long beets* (about 3/4 pound with greens)
2 Belgian endives
1 bunch watercress
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons white-wine vinegar
2 ounces Roquefort
*available at specialty foods shops and farmers markets

Steps:

Preheat oven to 450°F. Trim beets, leaving about 1 inch of stems attached (reserve greens for another use). Separately wrap golden and long beets tightly in foil and in a baking pan roast in middle of oven until tender, about 1 hour.
Unwrap beets carefully. When beets are cool enough to handle, slip off skins and stems. Beets may be roasted 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Separately quarter beets and put into 2 small bowls.
Cut endives crosswise into 1/2-inch-wide slices. Trim coarse stems from watercress and tear watercress into bite-size pieces. In a large bowl combine endive and watercress.
In a bowl whisk together oil, vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste. Crumble Roquefort over salad greens and toss well with about 3 tablespoons dressing and salt and pepper to taste. Divide remaining dressing between beets and toss well.
Serve salad greens topped with beets.