Beet, Rhubarb, and Orange Salad

Ingredients

• •8 whole beets
• •4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• •1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
• •3 cups water
• •½ cup sugar
• •1 pound rhubarb stalks
• •3 whole oranges
• •2 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
• •1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• •1 tablespoon minced shallot
• •1 teaspoon honey
• •3 cups watercress sprigs
• •1¼ cups feta cheese
• •to taste chervil leaves

Cooking Instructions

1. 1.

   Preheat oven to 400°F. Place beets on large sheet of foil. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil; sprinkle with coarse salt. Wrap beets in foil. Roast beets until tender when pierced with fork, about 1 hour. Unwrap and cool beets. Peel, then cut each into 8 wedges.

   60 min

2. 2.

   Bring 3 cups water, 1/2 cup sugar, and pinch of coarse salt to simmer in large saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Add rhubarb. Simmer over medium heat until just tender but still intact, 1 to 2 minutes (do not overcook or rhubarb will be mushy). Using slotted spoon, transfer rhubarb to platter and cool completely. DO AHEAD: Beets and rhubarb can be made 1 day ahead. Cover separately and chill.

   10 min

3. 3.

   Finely grate enough peel from 1 orange to measure 1/2 teaspoon; transfer to small bowl and reserve for dressing. Cut off peel and white pith from all oranges. Working over medium bowl to catch juice and using small sharp knife, cut between membranes to release orange segments into bowl; squeeze membranes to release juice into bowl. Transfer 2 tablespoons orange juice to bowl with orange peel. Whisk vinegar, lemon juice, shallot, honey, and remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil into bowl with orange peel and orange juice mixture. Season dressing with coarse salt and pepper.

   15 min

4. 4.

   Arrange watercress, beets, rhubarb, and orange segments on 6 plates. Sprinkle with feta and drizzle with dressing. Garnish with chervil leaves, if desired, and serve.

   10 min