• Healthy
• Make-Ahead
• Vegetarian

Ingredients

1. 1 large red onion, sliced crosswise 1/2-inch thick and separated into rings
2. 1 1/2 cups balsamic vinegar
3. 1 tablespoon yellow mustard seeds
4. 1 tablespoon acacia honey
5. 5 bay leaves
6. 2 pounds baby beets (without tops)
7. 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
8. 1/4 cup water
9. Salt and freshly ground pepper
10. 1 cup dry red wine, such as Syrah
11. 1 tablespoon sugar
12. 1/2 cup crème fraîche
13. 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
14. 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
15. 1 bunch watercress, thick stems discarded

Directions

1. Place the onion rings in a large heatproof jar or bowl. In a medium saucepan, combine the balsamic vinegar with the mustard seeds, honey and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Pour the hot liquid over the onion rings, pressing to submerge them. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
2. Preheat the oven to 375°. In a medium roasting pan, toss the beets with the olive oil and water. Cover tightly with foil and braise until tender, about 45 minutes. Let the beets cool in their braising liquid. Peel the beets, return them to the liquid and season with salt and pepper.
3. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, boil the red wine with the sugar over high heat until reduced to a syrup, about 10 minutes. Let the wine reduction cool.
4. In a bowl, whisk the crème fraîche with the lemon juice and zest and season with salt. Spread the crème fraîche on a platter. Mound the beets on the crème fraîche and drizzle with their cooking liquid. Garnish with the pickled onion rings and watercress; drizzle with the wine reduction and serve.

Make Ahead

The roasted beets can be refrigerated in their braising liquid for up to 3 days. The onions can be refrigerated in their pickling brine for up to 3 days.