Beet Salad With Goat Cheese

This delicious and easy salad takes little time and is a great meatless main course. It uses beets, goat cheese, candied walnuts, and baby greens. For a main dish salad, add chicken. Feel free to include more of your favorite vegetables too.

Ingredients

• 4 medium beets – scrubbed, trimmed, and cut in half
• ⅓ cup chopped walnuts
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup
• 10 ounces lettuce salad greens
• ½ cup frozen orange juice concentrate
• ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 ounces goat cheese

Directions

Prepare the Beets

1. Boil the Beets:
   Place the beets into a saucepan and fill with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, then cook for 20 to 30 minutes until tender. Drain and cool, then cut into cubes.

Candy the Walnuts

1. Toast and Coat Walnuts:
   While the beets are cooking, place the walnuts in a skillet over medium-low heat. Heat until warm and starting to toast, then stir in the maple syrup. Cook and stir until evenly coated, then remove from the heat and set aside to cool.

Make the Dressing

1. Whisk Ingredients:
   To make the dressing, whisk together the orange juice concentrate, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil in a small bowl.

Assemble the Salad

1. Prepare Plates:
   Place a large helping of greens onto each of the four salad plates.
2. Add Walnuts:
   Divide the candied walnuts equally and sprinkle over the greens.
3. Add Beets and Cheese:
   Place equal amounts of beets over the greens and top with dabs of goat cheese.
4. Drizzle Dressing:
   Drizzle each plate with some of the dressing.

Tips for Serving

• Add Protein: For added protein, top the salad with grilled or roasted chicken.
• Additional Vegetables: Add other favorite vegetables like cucumber, bell peppers, or cherry tomatoes for more color and flavor.
• Complete the Meal: Serve with crusty bread or a side of quinoa for a more substantial meal.

Enjoy this fresh, vibrant, and healthy Beet Salad With Goat Cheese as a perfect lunch, dinner, or crowd-pleasing appetizer!