Summer Greens and Herbs with Roasted Beets and Hazelnuts

SERVINGS: 4

•VEGETARIAN

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3/4 pound medium red or golden beets (about 3), scrubbed
1/4 cup unseasoned rice vinegar
2 tablespoons water
1 cup hazelnuts (about 4 ounces), lightly toasted
1 tablespoon simple syrup (see Note)
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
Twelve 1/4-inch-thick baguette slices
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 pound blue cheese, such as Roquefort, at room temperature
8 loosely packed cups mesclun (about 6 ounces)
1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves
3 tablespoons tarragon leaves
3 tablespoons chervil leaves
3 tablespoons snipped chives

Preheat the oven to 500°. In a small baking dish, toss the beets with 2 tablespoons of the vinegar and the water. Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour, or until tender. Let cool, then peel the beets and cut them into 1/4-inch wedges. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°.
In a small bowl, toss the hazelnuts with the simple syrup and 3/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes, or until the syrup-covered nuts are shiny and dry. Let cool. Leave the oven on.
Brush both sides of the baguette slices with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Arrange on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes, or until lightly toasted. Let cool, then spread with the blue cheese.
In a large bowl, whisk the remaining 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 6 tablespoons of olive oil until blended. Season with salt and pepper. Add the mesclun, herbs, beets and hazelnuts; toss to coat. Transfer the salad to plates and serve with the Roquefort toasts.

Notes To make simple syrup, combine equal parts of sugar and water and simmer over moderate heat to dissolve the sugar. Refrigerate any leftover syrup.

Suggested Pairing

A soft, fruity Riesling with low alcohol will contrast with the pungent blue cheese toasts and highlight the candied nuts here. Look for the 1999 Navarro White Riesling Mendocino.

Summer Greens and Herbs with Roasted Beets and Hazelnuts

Suggested Pairing

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