Beet and Fennel Salad with Goat Cheese

Ingredients and Weight:

• Beets: 500 grams (about 2 large beets)
• Fennel: 300 grams (1 medium-sized bulb)
• Goat Cheese: 200 grams
• Mixed salad greens: 4 cups
• Extra virgin olive oil: 6 tablespoons
• Fresh lemon juice: 3 tablespoons
• Salt and pepper: to taste
• Fresh herbs (e.g., basil, oregano): for seasoning

Preparation Time:

• Preparation: 30 minutes (includes chopping and salting)
• Cooking: 15 minutes (boiling beets and cooling time)
• Total: 45 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes (including boiling and cooling time)

Difficulty Level: Level 3 (Moderate difficulty)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Peel and wash the beets and fennel. Cut into small cubes.
3. Place the beets in a baking dish and roast for about 15 minutes or until tender. Let cool.
4. Meanwhile, prepare the fennel by boiling it in lightly salted water for about 10 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and cool.
5. In a large bowl, combine the roasted beets and fennel with the mixed salad greens.
6. In a separate bowl, mix the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs to create the dressing. Pour over the salad and toss gently.
7. Crumble the goat cheese over the salad and serve immediately.

Nutritional Information: (Please note that these are estimated values and may vary depending on specific ingredients used.)

• Calories: Approx. 400 per serving (without accounting for salt and specific cooking methods)
• Fat: 28 grams
• Carbohydrates: 28 grams
• Protein: 12 grams
• Fiber: 6 grams (Based on average values for ingredients)

Dish Characteristics:

• Creative fusion of flavors between roasted beets, fennel, and goat cheese.
• Fresh herb dressing adds a unique touch to the traditional salad flavors.
• Goat cheese adds a creamy, rich texture to the salad without being too heavy.

User Comments:

1. "Love the combination of beets and fennel – adds a unique crunch to the salad."
2. "The goat cheese was a great addition – it really made the salad stand out."
3. "I didn't expect beets to work so well in a salad, but this dish was delicious."
4. "The dressing was excellent – really brought out the flavors in the salad."
5. "I was skeptical about using goat cheese, but it added a wonderful richness."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• Be sure to choose fresh beets and fennel for best flavor and texture.
• Adjust the seasoning according to personal taste preferences.
• For a vegetarian option, skip the goat cheese or replace with a vegetarian-friendly alternative like vegan cheese or cashew cream cheese.