The Salad Love series marches on… being delicious and – hopefully – inspiring… and today I’m really excited to share the recipe for Heat’s Beets. It’s a beet, pecan and feta salad, created by my sister, Heather.
So no, it’s not going to be a super hot, curried beet salad (though remind me to try that, okay?), it’s the concoction of my sister, “Heat”.
I don’t call her that. I don’t call her “Heat-Score” either. It’s my two younger sisters who do that. They were thugs in another life. In this life, they’re thin and wear statement necklaces and put chocolate milk in their teas. You’re already feeling a bit frightened, aren’t you?
Well, Heather whips up all sorts of creative awesomeness in the kitchen, and Heat’s Beets is a dish that often graces the dinner table at my mom’s house.
And why? Because look at it:
It’s roasted beets, pear, pecans and feta in a vinaigrette.
Helloooooo…. I’m starving just looking at it.
And I’ll tell you a secret: if you’re feeling saucy, you can put bacon in it!
Yeah you can. You’re a wild thing.
- 4 or 5 beets, roasted
- 1 pear, chopped
- 1/4 cup diced green onions
- 1 cup basil leaves, torn into small piece
- 1 cup of crumbled feta (put on right before serving)
- 1 cup of pecan pieces
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp honey
- Roast the quartered beets (wrap them in foil and put them in the oven at 400 degrees for approximately 45 minutes)
- Let beets cool and then remove skins
- Chop beets into bite-sized pieces and put in large salad bowl
- Add other salad ingredients to bowl EXCEPT for feta
- Mix dressing ingredients and add to bowl
- Toss ingredients
- When serving, sprinkle each plate with feta (the beets will dye the feta if you toss it together)
- Enjoy!
- To make this even tastier, fry up a package of bacon, and add crumbled bits of bacon to the salad.
The roasting of the beets makes them a bit sweeter and removes some of that “earthy” taste that beets are notorious for. The honey in the dressing also sweetens the overall flavour of the dish.
Trust me, it’s delicious.
Make this dish for your next meal or gathering.
(And remember, beets are high in iron, folic acid, and have been considered a “superfood”! It’s a great reason to get them into your family’s meal repertoire!)
There are more fabulous Salad Love recipes to come!
Let’s get some veggies in our belly, but not in a boring way.
In case you missed the last Salad Love post:
22 comments
Dani @ lifeovereasy
One word – yum!
Tara
Thank you so much, Dani! It’s a delicious combination!
Krista @thehappyhousie
Looks incredible Tara- my fave local restaurant makes a similar one with candied pecans and goat cheese instead of feta. Delicious also. Pinned this – must try. Thanks to you and your sister:)
Tara
I love candied pecans! What a great idea, Krista!
Virginia Fynes
I never think to use beets in salad. This looks really good!
Tara
I think that roasting them is a great way to introduce beets into a salad. They’re a bit sweeter that way.
Amy (www.loveonsunday.com)
I’m always searching for new salad recipes and this one looks delish. Also, I love anything with cheese! 🙂
Tara
Oh, cheese makes nearly every salad better, doesn’t it?
Danni@SiloHillFarm
Looks delicious to me and I love pears!!
Christine
Yummy!!!! I’m going to try your recipe this weekend!! Thanks!
Marion Taylor
Isn’t everything better with bacon?
Mel
Oh very nice salad queen your sister!
Tia
Yum!! I am on the beet love boat! Would love a big bowl of this right now 🙂
Amy of while wearing heels
Not only does that look beautiful…it also looks delicious. Yum.
Tara
Oh, it’s so good, Amy. I ate FAR too much of it!
Marilyn
Okay, my guys would love the “saucy” version…..bacon makes everything amazing!
Tara
You said it. Bacon makes everything better!
La Cuisine d’Helene
I love beets and feta together. What a beautiful salad.
Tara
Thank you, Helene! Beets are a new taste for me, and I have to say that I’m a fan!