Sunflower Beet Salad Recipes

RAW BEET SALAD WITH TOASTED SUNFLOWER SEEDS AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Mix the shallots with the vinegars and let stand while you process the beets and toast the sunflower seeds.
• Peel the beets and grate them or process them in the food processor until they are of coarsely grated consistency.
• Toast the sunflower seeds (I stir them up quickly in a hot stainless steel pan and remove them from the pan as soon as they start to brown).
• Mix the rest of the dressing ingredients with the vinegar/shallot mixture and add half of this to the beets and chill until ready to assemble the salad.
• Mound the greens loosely in individual dishes, and divide the beet mixture amongst the plates.
• Dot with goat cheese, sprinkle with sunflower seeds and drizzle more of the dressing on the greens.

ROASTED BEET SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Set the beets on a baking sheet lined with a two layers of aluminum foil. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and then wrap the beets in the first layer of foil. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and roast until the beets are fork tender, about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, place shallots in a small bowl, drizzle with another 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper; toss well. After the beets have roasted for 45 minutes, remove the baking sheet from the oven and carefully place the shallots directly on the second layer of aluminum foil. Return to the oven for another 15 minutes, until the shallots are caramelized and soft and the beets are fully cooked.
• Let the beets cool in the foil for at least 5 minutes. Transfer the shallots to a large bowl and set aside. When the beets are cool enough to handle, use a paper towel to rub off the skins. Cut the beets into wedges and add them to the bowl with the shallots.
• Trim the tops and bottoms off the oranges with a paring knife or a small serrated knife. Set the oranges on one of the cut ends and carefully cut away the skins, beginning at the top and following the curve of the fruit down to the bottom. Slice the oranges crosswise into thin slices. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, sugar, mustard, some salt and pepper, and the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil. Pour the dressing over the beets and shallots; toss to combine. Add the mixed greens and the orange slices; toss again. Sprinkle with sunflower seeds.

GOLDEN BEET AND SUNFLOWER SALAD

Steps:

• Put oven racks in lower third and middle of oven and preheat oven to 425°F.
• Trim beet greens, leaving 1 inch of stems attached. Tightly wrap beets together in double layers of foil to make packages (2 or 3 per package) and roast in middle of oven until tender, 40 to 45 minutes. Unwrap beets and cool slightly.
• While beets roast, toast sunflower seeds in a pie plate or a small baking pan in lower third of oven, shaking occasionally, until seeds are golden, about 10 minutes.
• Whisk together shallot, vinegar, salt, pepper, and sugar in a small bowl, then add oil in a stream, whisking.
• When beets are cool enough to handle, slip off and discard skins. Cut beets lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices and gently toss with 3 tablespoons vinaigrette in a bowl.
• Toss sunflower sprouts and half of sunflower seeds with remaining vinaigrette in another bowl. Arrange beets on 6 salad plates and top with dressed sprouts. Sprinkle salads with remaining sunflower seeds.