Roasted Beet and Arugula Salad

I used to hate beets with a passion, but when roasted they loose the 'dirt' flavor and take on a sweet flavor. When combined with dark greens, sharp cheese, toasted nuts, and citrus flavor, they really shine.

For each salad:
1 cup arugula leaves
1/2 medium roasted beet (see recipe below)
1/2 naval orange
1 to 2 slices red onion
1/2 tablespoon orange flavored oil
1 teaspoon honey
1 tablespoon gorgonzola cheese
2 tablespoons sliced almonds

1. Roast the Beets
   Preheat the oven to 425°F. Wash the beets and place them on a sheet of aluminum foil. Drizzle with vegetable oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add your favorite herbs, if desired (I like to use thyme, sage, or rosemary). Bake for about 45 minutes to an hour, or until it's easy to pierce the beets with a fork.








2. Toast the Almonds
   Heat a pan over medium heat, then add the almonds and toast in a single layer for about 3 to 4 minutes, until they are browned. Keep an eye on them, because as soon as nuts start to brown they can burn very quickly. You can usual smell them as they start to toast.





3. Slice the Beets
   Slice the beets in half and place the sliced side down. Slice into 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch slices. For larger beets, you may want to quarter the beet before slicing.





4. Slice the Oranges
   Peel the oranges, slice them in half, and place the sliced side down. Slice into 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch slices.





5. Slice the Onion
   Peel the onion, slice in half, and place the sliced side down. Slice into 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch slices. Separate the slices into half-rings.






6. About the Orange Oil
   There are a few types of orange oil on the market. The most common I've seen is blood orange olive oil. My favorite is blood orange avocado oil. The orange flavor really comes through in this oil without the heavy flavor of olive oil. I used to be able to find it at Pasta & Co. but the last few times I've looked I haven't seen any. I did find some more online, so I can stop rationing the sad bottle I've been holding onto. If you're interested, the brand name is Pacifica Culinaria and you can order it from their website, http://pacificaculinaria.com or from Amazon (or I'm sure a few others).





7. Prepare the Salad
   Place a layer of arugula on the plate. Top with the beets, oranges, and onions. Drizzle with the honey and orange oil. Sprinkle the gorgonzola cheese and almonds over the top.