I am having an ongoing love affair with golden beets and beet greens. When I spied some purple potatoes in Whole Foods Market I decided to pair them with the beets and place them on a bed of beet greens for a delicious and colorful spring salad. I started by boiling the beets in salted water until tender. I then peeled, quartered and tossed them with a white wine vinaigrette. I sat them aside and let them soak in the flavor while I prepared the potatoes and greens. After washing the potatoes I cooked them in plenty of salted boiling water until they were also tender. I drained and cut them in half. I was wowed by the centers. The color knocked me off my feet! I made a stronger vinaigrette with lemon juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic and Dijon mustard.Tossing them gently I seasoned them with sea salt and freshly ground pepper and set them aside to marinate.I julienned the beet greens and blanched them in salted boiling water until they were bright green. I drained them and chilled them in an ice bath to stop the cooking. Once cool, I placed them in a salad spinner to remove the excess water.When I was ready to serve the salad, I tossed the greens in the white wine vinaigrette, and placed them on a platter. I then added the potatoes and beets. I felt the dish needed a few chives. Not having the time or inclination to run to the market, I found wild onions in my yard. Minced, they made a perfect garnish!Purple Potato and Golden Beet Salad
1 pound medium golden beets with tops 1 pound purple potatoes
Wash the beets, trim reserving the green tops and cook in a sauce pan in plenty of salted boiling water for about 15 minutes for medium beets. Rinse and when cool enough to handle peel and quarter. Place in a bowl and toss with just enough white wine vinaigrette to moisten. Set aside.
Wash the potatoes and place in a pot of cold salted water. Bring to a boil turn the heat down and cook about 7-10 minutes. Drain. Halve lengthwise, place in a bowl and pour in the lemon vinaigrette, toss. Set aside. Do not mix with the golden beets, the potatoes will bleed. Lemon and Red Wine Vinaigrette
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 clove minced garlic 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Place all ingredients in a jar and shake until blended.
White Wine Vinaigrette
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 shallot, minced 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard freshly ground pepper sea salt
Place all ingredients in a jar and shake until blended. All text and recipes are property of The Gypsy Chef.