Description
Mediterranean-inspired Beet Salad delivers a symphony of colors and flavors, blending earthy beets with sweet mandarin oranges and tangy feta. Crisp spinach, crunchy pine nuts, and sharp red onion create a refreshing harmony you will savor in every delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 medium beets, roasted and diced
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 1 can (11 ounces/310 grams) mandarin oranges, drained
Garnish and Additional Ingredients:
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup (30 grams) pine nuts
- 1/2 cup (75 grams) crumbled feta cheese
Dressing Ingredients:
(If a dressing is implied but not listed, consider adding a simple vinaigrette)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F for roasting beets until tender and caramelized, approximately 45-50 minutes.
- Allow roasted beets to cool completely, then carefully dice into uniform bite-sized cubes to ensure even distribution throughout the salad.
- Slice red onion into delicate, translucent rings to provide a sharp, crisp contrast to the sweet beets and oranges.
- Arrange fresh baby spinach leaves as the salad’s vibrant green foundation, creating a delicate base for the other ingredients.
- Gently place diced roasted beets over the spinach leaves, spreading them evenly across the surface.
- Scatter mandarin orange segments throughout the salad, ensuring each bite contains a burst of citrusy sweetness.
- Sprinkle toasted pine nuts across the salad to introduce a rich, nutty crunch and enhanced flavor profile.
- Crumble feta cheese generously over the top, allowing the tangy, creamy cheese to complement the earthy beets and bright oranges.
- If desired, drizzle a light vinaigrette or olive oil and balsamic reduction to enhance the salad’s overall taste and moisture.
- Serve immediately at room temperature to preserve the ingredients’ individual textures and vibrant colors.
Notes
- Roast beets ahead of time to develop deeper, sweeter flavor and reduce preparation time on the day of serving.
- Toast pine nuts lightly in a dry skillet to enhance their nutty aroma and add a delightful crunch to the salad.
- Keep ingredients separately chilled until just before serving to maintain optimal texture and prevent soggy spinach leaves.
- Substitute feta with vegan cheese or nutritional yeast for a dairy-free version that still provides a tangy, savory element.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 310 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg