Beet Salad with yoghurt, mint, dill

Thumb_beet_salad

(from highlands’s recipe box)

Source: NYT

Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 70 minutes
Serves 4 people

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds medium golden beets in skin, well washed (or red or other beets)
  • 12 to 16 ounces beet greens (or chard or other greens)
  • 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • For the vinaigrette
  • 1/3 cup red onion or shallot, finely diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely grated
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 teaspoon toasted cumin-coriander mixture
  • Pinch cayenne
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • For the yogurt sauce
  • 1 cup full-fat plain yogurt
  • 1 garlic clove, finely grated
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Pinch cayenne
  • 1 teaspoon toasted cumin-coriander mixture
  • 2 tablespoons fresh mint, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons freshly snipped dill for garnish.

Directions

  1. Roast the beets: Put them in a baking dish in one layer (if some beets are larger, halve them so they will cook evenly). Add about 2 inches water to the pan and cover tightly with foil. Bake at 375 degrees for at least an hour, or up to 1 1/2 hours, until fork tender. Remove the foil, pour off the liquid and let cool for a few minutes, then peel while still slightly warm. Cut into wedges and set aside.

  2. Cut beet greens into 1-inch ribbons, then wash well 3 times in abundant cold water to remove any sand or grit. Bring a large pot salted water to boil. Add the greens and cook briefly till wilted, about 2 minutes. Drain, cool under running water, then squeeze out excess water.

  3. In a dry pan over medium heat, toast the coriander and cumin seeds until fragrant and just lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Grind to a coarse powder in a mortar or spice mill.

  4. Make the vinaigrette: Put the onion, garlic and vinegar in a small bowl and leave for 5 minutes or so, then whisk in the remaining ingredients.

  5. Make the yogurt sauce: Put the yogurt in small bowl. Add the garlic, salt and pepper, cayenne, cumin-coriander mixture, mint and olive oil.

  6. Season the beet wedges lightly with salt and dress with half the vinaigrette. In a separate bowl, lightly salt the greens and dress with remaining vinaigrette. Arrange dressed beets and greens on a platter and top with a little smear of the yogurt sauce. Sprinkle with dill, and pass the rest of the yogurt sauce at the table.

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