Description
A vibrant and refreshing winter salad featuring earthy roasted beets, bright citrus segments, juicy pomegranate arils, creamy feta cheese, and crunchy toasted walnuts, all dressed in a zesty citrus vinaigrette.
Ingredients
- 4 medium red beets, scrubbed and tops trimmed
- 2 large oranges (such as navel or blood orange)
- 1 large grapefruit
- 1/2 cup pomegranate arils
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/3 cup walnut halves, toasted and roughly chopped
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 cups mixed greens or arugula (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Wrap each beet individually in aluminum foil and roast for 45-60 minutes until fork-tender. Allow to cool, then peel and cut into wedges or slices.
- Meanwhile, using a sharp knife, cut off the top and bottom of the oranges and grapefruit. Stand each fruit on a cut end and slice off the peel and white pith. Cut between the membranes to release segments into a bowl. Squeeze the remaining membranes to extract juice for the dressing.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of the reserved citrus juice, olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to make the vinaigrette.
- Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant. Set aside to cool.
- On a large platter or individual plates, arrange the beet wedges, citrus segments, and greens (if using). Sprinkle with pomegranate arils, feta cheese, and toasted walnuts.
- Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad just before serving. Toss gently, if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
You can customize the seasonings to taste. For a vegan version, omit the feta or use a plant-based alternative. To save time, use pre-cooked beets from the refrigerated section.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Method: Salad
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired