Roasted and Marinated Beets with Burrata, Charred Kale, and Hazelnut Vinaigrette

A sophisticated salad featuring charred marinated beets and kale, creamy burrata cheese, and a rich hazelnut vinaigrette. The dish combines earthy roasted beets, crispy kale, and creamy cheese with a nutty dressing for a perfect balance of flavors and textures.

4 servings
2 hr 17 min

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup grated Pecorino or Parmigiano cheese
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 whole lemon
  • 1 clove garlic
  • ½ teaspoon honey
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red chile flakes
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 bunch black Tuscan kale
  • ¼ cup hazelnuts
  • 3 tablespoons hazelnut oil
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon shallot
  • 1 teaspoon thyme leaves
  • ½ teaspoon honey
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3 cranks black pepper
  • 4 medium beets
  • 2 balls burrata
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ cup hazelnuts

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    In a large bowl, combine the cheese, olive oil, lemon zest and juice, garlic, honey, salt, chile flakes, and pepper. Add the kale and toss to combine-really get in there and work the kale with your hands; this isn't a gentle massage. Set the kale aside to marinate at room temperature for 2 hours or in the fridge overnight. Alternatively, you could toss the kale in with the just-roasted, marinating beets along with the cheese, olive oil, et al., and let the mixture sit at room temperature for 2 hours or in the fridge overnight. They'll marinate just the same.

    120 min

  2. 2.

    Combine the hazelnuts, hazelnut oil, vinegar, shallot, thyme, honey, salt, and pepper in a small jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake it until the dressing comes together. Set aside until ready to serve or store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

    5 min

  3. 3.

    Preheat a large cast-iron pan over high heat for 5 minutes. When the pan looks very hot (you see little wisps of smoke), add the marinated beets and char on one side for 1 minute, just long enough to get some char. Remove the beets from the pan and add the kale, again charring for 1 minute. You are looking to just heat the kale, not fully cook it. You also could do this over the high heat of a grill. Remove the pan from the heat.

    7 min

  4. 4.

    Spread the cheese over a large platter. Season it a bit with salt and pepper. Scatter the charred kale and beets over the cheese, douse with the hazelnut vinaigrette, and finish with the chopped hazelnuts

    5 min