Beet, Basil & Watermelon Salad with Honey Crunch Goat Cheese
There’s no better way to earn a “Wow!” in summer than with this salad. It’s color alone is jaw-dropping. And its taste is everything a mid-summer mouthful should be.
- 2-3 whole medium beets (red, golden, or variety)
- 2-3 whole garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
- 1.5-2 c. cubed seedless watermelon
- 15-20 fresh basil leaves, hand torn or coarsely chopped
- 3 oz. Honey Crunch Goat Cheese (link to recipe)
- 1/4 c. toasted pistachio meats (optional)
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Tightly wrap one washed and dried whole beet with one whole garlic clove (skin on) in a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil (should look like a little foil dumpling or purse). Repeat with the remaining beets and garlic cloves and then place the foil packs on the middle rack of a pre-heated 350° oven. Let roast for approximately one hour or until a fork easily inserts into the center of each beet (check at 40 minutes and every 10 minutes thereafter). Once done, remove the foil packs from the oven and open them at the top slightly for the beets and garlic cloves to cool. Let rest until contents are cool enough to handle.
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Whisk balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper together in a large bowl. Then add the soft insides of 2-3 of the roasted garlic cloves to the bowl and discard the garlic skins. Gently smash and stir the roasted garlic into the vinaigrette.
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Using a small paring knife, peel the skin from each of the roasted beets by working your knife in a circular pattern around the beet (much like you would remove the skin from an apple). Discard the skins and cut each beet into small cubes to mimic the size and shape of the cubed watermelon.
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Add the cubed beets, watermelon, and torn basil to the bowl with the vinaigrette. Gently stir to coat all of the ingredients in the vinaigrette. Transfer the salad and dressing to a serving bowl and top with chunks of the <a href="https://www.offscriptrecipes.com/honey-crunch-goat-cheese" target="_blank">Honey Crunch Goat Cheese</a> and toasted pistachio meats (if using). Enjoy as is or over salad greens.
Off-Script Tip: To go off-script on this Off-Script Recipe, try swapping-out the watermelon for other summer fruits like heirloom tomatoes or peaches. The combination would be delicious!