ROASTED BEETS AND BABY GREENS WITH CORINADER VINAIGRETTE AND CILANTRO PESTO

Roasted Beets and Baby Greens with Corinader Vinaigrette and Cilantro Pesto image

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 24

Vinaigrette:
1 tablespoon whole coriander seeds
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1/4 cup minced shallots
2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
1 small garlic clove, peeled
1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Pesto:
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
1 bunch fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped (about 2 cups)
1 bunch fresh chives, coarsely chopped (about 1/3 cup)
1/4 cup (packed) fresh mint leaves
1 tablespoon chopped seeded jalapeño chile
1 small garlic clove, peeled
1 teaspoon (scant) coarse kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Beets:
2 pounds 1-inch-diameter baby beets
1 tablespoon olive oil
Coarse kosher salt
6 cups assorted red baby lettuces (such as red oak leaf and lolla rossa)

Steps:

For vinaigrette:
Stir coriander in small skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 4 minutes. Cool. Coarsely grind coriander in mortar with pestle or in spice mill. Transfer to small bowl. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in same skillet over medium heat. Add shallots; sauté until soft, about 3 minutes. Transfer to bowl with coriander. Add vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper. Gradually whisk in 7 tablespoons oil. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill; discard garlic after 1 hour. Let vinaigrette stand at room temperature 1 hour before using.)
For pesto:
Puree first 9 ingredients in blender until smooth. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Reblend before continuing.) Whisk in lime juice.
For beets:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Wash and dry beets. Cut off beet greens 1 inch from top of beets; reserve for another use. Rub beets with oil. Place light-colored beets in 1 roasting pan and red beets in another; sprinkle with coarse salt. Cover pans tightly with foil. Roast until beets are just tender, about 55 minutes. Cool slightly. Using towel, rub off peel and stems from beets. Cut beets in half. Place light-colored beets and red beets in 2 separate bowls. Toss beets in each bowl with 2 tablespoons vinaigrette. Let stand 30 minutes. Toss lettuces in bowl with some of vinaigrette to coat lightly; divide among plates and top with beets. Drizzle pesto around salads and serve.