Beet Salad with Watercress and Fresh Pecorino

By BobD

Seattle chef Ethan Stowell uses beets two different ways in this recipe. He roasts some of them, giving the salad a sweet flavor, and he thinly shaves the rest for a fresh, earthy crispness.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds small beets (preferably Chioggia), 1/4 pound peeled and very thinly sliced on a mandoline
• 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for rubbing
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
• 1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
• 3 bunches watercress (6 ounces each), thick stems discarded
• 6 ounces young Pecorino cheese, such as Toscano or Sardo, shaved

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°. In a small baking dish, rub the whole beets with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and roast the beets for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, until they are tender when pierced with a knife. Let cool, then peel the beets and cut them into wedges.

In a large bowl, whisk the 3/4 cup of olive oil with the orange juice and balsamic vinegar; season the dressing with salt and pepper. Add the roasted beet wedges, shaved beets, watercress and shaved Pecorino and toss well to coat. Transfer to a large platter and serve right away.