Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 6 small beets, washed and peeled
  • 1 (5-ounce) bag spring mix salad greens
  • 2 oranges, peeled and sectioned
  • 1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts
  • 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
  • 1/3 cup thinly sliced red onion
  • 1/2 cup cacao nibs
  • Cocoa Vinaigrette, recipe follows
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup olive oil

Method

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  • Brush the beets with the olive oil mixture, then wrap them in aluminum foil and arrange on a baking sheet.
  • Bake until fork tender, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and let cool in the foil.
  • Slice the beets and set aside.
  • Evenly divide the salad greens, orange sections, walnuts, goat cheese, red onion, and beets between 4 salad plates.
  • Top each salad with 2 tablespoons of cacao nibs.
  • Drizzle with Cocoa Vinaigrette just before serving.
  • In a small bowl, add the vinegar, cocoa powder, sugar, salt, and pepper and whisk until smooth.
  • Slowly add the oil, whisking constantly, until blended.
  • Yield: about 1/2 cup