Description
A stunning stack of caramelized beets and pears, topped with a snowy feta crumble and a sweet-tart citrus honey drizzle. Perfect as an elegant appetizer or light main course.
Ingredients
- 2 medium beets, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
- 1 ripe but firm pear, cored and sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey, plus 2 tablespoons for drizzle
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled and frozen for 15 minutes
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- Fresh thyme leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss beet slices with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon honey, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes until tender and caramelized, flipping halfway.
- In a small bowl, whisk remaining 2 tablespoons honey, lemon juice, and orange zest to make the citrus honey drip. Set aside.
- While beets roast, heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add pear slices and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and slightly softened. Remove from heat.
- To assemble towers, alternate beet and pear slices, stacking 3-4 layers on each plate, finishing with a beet slice on top.
- Remove feta from freezer and crumble finely over the towers to create a 'snow' effect.
- Drizzle each tower with citrus honey drip and garnish with fresh thyme leaves. Serve immediately.
Notes
You can customize the seasonings to taste. For a vegan version, substitute feta with a plant-based alternative and use maple syrup instead of honey. Ensure beet and pear slices are similar in size for even stacking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Method: Main
- Cuisine: American