Smashed Beet Salad
~ Mary ~
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This is yet another recipe from Francis Mallman’s “Seven Fires” cookbook. Francis likes to smash things like potatoes, and in this instance, beets. I can’t quite figure it out myself. The first attempt I made was with a potato dish of his. It was truly delicious, but made a very unfortunate photograph.
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This recipe would have been just as effective had I sliced the beets. So don’t feel you have to smash the beets, its a delicate thing smashing, because you don’t want to break the beet. Despite the difficulty with the smashing, this recipe was not only easy, but had a wonderful flavor.
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And don’t feel obliged to grill these. They’d work out perfectly well just pan frying on the stove.
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Smashed Beet Salad
from Seven Fires by Francis Mallman
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In a large sauce pan place:
4 -6 Beets scrubbed well with skin on
1/2 Cup Red Wine Vinegar
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1/2 tsp Whole Peppercorns
2 Bay Leaves
Kosher Salt
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Fill the rest of the way with water, enough to cover the beets. Bring to a boil (I microwaved mine) then simmer for 20-30 minutes or until fork tender. Let them cool. You can either slice the beets and pan fry or try to smoosh them gentlyy and then pan fry. I recommend slicing them and keeping it simple.
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Pan fry in olive oil until a nice crust forms. Salt and pepper to taste.
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Make Garlic Chips:
Slice 5-7 Cloves of Garlic and pan fry in Olive Oil until slightly browned. Remove from pan to a paper towel before they get dark and bitter.
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Make Vinaigrette:
2 Tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
wisk in 6 tbsp Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste
this is a very simple vinaigrette and all that is necessary with the rest of the elements in this lovely little salad.
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Assemble Salad
Layer of Tossed Greens – include beet greens if you have them.
Sliced Beets
Crumbled Goat Cheese
Garlic Chips
Vinaigrette
I LOVE BEETS! Plus, they are one of the best foods for your liver. I’m hoping this means that they balance out the martinis, or at least that they help my liver to process them…
I’m actually not a fan of beets….but I wonder how it would taste like smashed! Beets have always been one of those things I wish I loved, because they are soo pretty!
I used to loathe them, but now, actually enjoy them. You know, your taste buds change every seven years? You should give them another go.
~Mary
Hey Mary-
Congrats on being one of the daily Top 9 on FoodBuzz!!
Your dish sounds delish & you know I luv beets!
Love the garlic chips!!! And, we’ve got beets at home so this will be easy to make next week. Thanks!! Kate@ kateiscooking