Roasted Beet Salad

Beets are packed with vitamins and minerals and are known for their ability to help cleanse and build your blood. Beets are very sweet and very delicious. Some people are very skeptical of beets, myself included, so I wanted to post this recipe that drastically changed my view of beets. Enjoy:

Roasted Beet Salad:

3-4 medium beets, greens removed and scrubbed clean

1 bunch or package of arugula

1/2 c. pecans or walnuts

Maple syrup, optional

4 oz goat cheese

Dressing:

1/4 c. fresh orange juice

1 1/2 tsp. orange zest

1 1/2 tsp. honey

1 1/2 tsp. balsamic vinegar

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

1/2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Enclose each beet in aluminum foil and place in oven until tender when pierced with a fork (about one hour). Remove and set aside to cool. Once cool, rub off the skins and cut the beets into cubes or wedges.

If you want to add a kick to your walnuts or pecans toast them briefly on the stove and toss lightly with maple syrup. This is completely optional and delicious either way! :)

In a bowl combine the arugula, beets, goat cheese, and walnuts/pecans. In a separate bowl whisk together the dressing ingredients then toss the salad with the dressing and serve. This salad would also go great with a simple balsamic vinegar and olive oil dressing if you're running short on time and energy.

****When eating beets know that it mostly like will turn your urine pink... you are NOT dying! :)