Recipes

Roasted Carrot and Beet Salad with Oranges and Arugula

Name: Roasted Carrot and Beet Salad with Oranges and Arugula
Total time: 105 min
Ingredients: 3/4 cup walnut halves (3 ounces); 8 carrots (1 pound), peeled and sliced on the diagonal 1/2 inch thick; 3 beets (1 pound), scrubbed but not peeled; Salt and freshly ground pepper; freshly ground pepper; 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil; 1 rosemary sprig; 2 thyme sprigs; 2 garlic cloves; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar; 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest; 3 blood oranges or navel oranges; 6 loosely packed cups baby arugula (5 ounces); 1 tablespoon snipped chives; 2 teaspoons lemon thyme leaves

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When he first started cooking for Trudie Styler and Sting, Joe Sponzo would focus on creating elaborate meals, he says. He quickly learned that, when dining at home, Sting and Trudie preferred simple dishes made with seasonal ingredients, such as this vibrant salad made with roasted vegetables and a citrusy vinaigrette. Although beets and blood oranges are more popular in Southern Italy, Sponzo says this salad is his simple variation of a Tuscan root-vegetable salad. Plus: More Italian Recipes

By Joe Sponzo

Updated on October 21, 2015

Roasted Carrot and Beet Salad with Oranges and Arugula — Photo: © Leela Cyd

Active Time:

30 mins

Total Time:

1 hr 45 mins

Yield:

6

Ingredients

3/4 cup walnut halves (3 ounces)
8 carrots (1 pound), peeled and sliced on the diagonal 1/2 inch thick
3 beets (1 pound), scrubbed but not peeled
Salt and freshly ground pepper
freshly ground pepper
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 rosemary sprig
2 thyme sprigs
2 garlic cloves
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
3 blood oranges or navel oranges
6 loosely packed cups baby arugula (5 ounces)
1 tablespoon snipped chives
2 teaspoons lemon thyme leaves

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400°. Spread the walnuts in a pie pan and toast until fragrant, about 8 minutes. Place the carrots and beets in separate pie pans. Season the carrots with salt and pepper and drizzle with 1 teaspoon of the olive oil. Season the beets with salt and pepper, drizzle with 2 teaspoons of the olive oil and add the rosemary, thyme and garlic cloves. Cover both pans tightly with foil and roast the vegetables until tender, about 30 minutes for the carrots and 11/2 hours for the beets. Let cool. Discard the herbs and garlic.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk the lemon juice and balsamic vinegar with the remaining 1/3 cup of olive oil. Stir in the orange zest; season with salt and pepper.
Using a sharp knife, peel the oranges, making sure to remove all of the bitter white pith. Slice the oranges crosswise.
Peel the beets and thinly slice them crosswise. Arrange the beet slices around the edge of a large platter. Scatter the oranges and carrots over the beets. Drizzle 1/3 cup of the vinaigrette over the beets, carrots and oranges.
In a large bowl, toss the arugula with the remaining vinaigrette and season with salt and pepper. Mound the arugula in the center of the platter. Scatter the toasted walnuts, chives and lemon thyme around the platter and serve right away.

Make Ahead

The cooked vegetables and the citrus vinaigrette can be refrigerated overnight. Return to room temperature before serving.