Description
Roasted Moroccan Beet Salad delivers earthy Mediterranean flavors with tangy citrus notes. Fresh herbs and warm spices create a colorful side dish that delights palates and showcases North African culinary traditions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 5 beets, medium-sized, tops removed (680 g / 24 oz)
- 1 red onion, cut in half and thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ cup mint leaves, fresh, packed
- ¼ cup cilantro leaves, fresh, packed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tbsp orange zest
Instructions
- Boiling: Immerse whole beets in vigorously bubbling water, simmering until tender enough for a fork to glide through effortlessly, approximately 35-40 minutes.
- Cooling and Peeling: Remove beets from water, allow to cool completely, then gently strip away outer skin under cool running water using a peeler, revealing their vibrant interior.
- Preparation: Slice cooled beets into uniform 2-inch chunks, creating consistent, appealing bite-sized pieces.
- Dressing Creation: Whisk together orange juice, orange zest, olive oil, cumin, and salt in a smooth, integrated motion until the dressing achieves a harmonious blend of flavors.
- Combining: In a spacious mixing bowl, merge chopped beets with mint leaves, cilantro, and delicately sliced red onions, ensuring an even distribution of ingredients.
- Finishing: Cascade the prepared dressing over the vegetable medley, thoroughly tossing to guarantee each morsel is lavishly coated with the citrusy, aromatic vinaigrette.
- Serving: Garnish with additional chopped herbs and present at room temperature, allowing the Moroccan-inspired flavors to fully bloom and tantalize the palate.
Notes
- Boil Beets Perfectly: Simmer whole beets in rapidly boiling water until fork-tender, typically 35-40 minutes for ideal texture and easy skin removal.
- Skin Removal Technique: Peel beets under cool running water to effortlessly slide off outer layer and prevent staining hands and surfaces.
- Herb Balance Matters: Use fresh mint and cilantro sparingly to complement the beets’ earthy flavor without overwhelming the dish’s delicate citrus notes.
- Serve Temperature Tip: Allow salad to rest at room temperature before serving to enhance the vibrant Moroccan-inspired flavor profile and aromatic spices.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Moroccan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 290 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg