Summer Beet Salad

One of my favorite things to enjoy during these last days of summer is a colorful salad. I haven't used beets very often and when I saw some on sale at the store, I picked up a few just to force myself into using them. I knew when made into a salad it would be something light, flavorful and colorful! This Summer Beet Salad is exactly that... roasted beets pair beautifully with colorful tomatoes, a bed of baby arugula and a perfect amount of creamy Cambazola cheese...


How easily do I forget my love of beets. Growing up I was not a fan... because the only beets I had came out of a can. After realizing how much better fresh beets are when roasted, I have a new love for them. If you can get a hold of different varieties of beets, such as golden ones, try using it in this recipe! They are so colorful and have a nice flavor making it a good salad when combined with tomatoes.

Summer Beet Salad

recipe adapted from Cooking Light

• 4 medium-sized red beets 
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 large tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved [I used yellow cherry tomatoes]
• 1 cup baby arugula
• 1-2 ounces Cambazola, gorgonzola, or blue cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 

1. Preheat oven to 400°.
2. Trim roots and stems from beets, then drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over the beets. Sprinkle with salt and bake in preheated oven for 1 hour or until tender. Cool; peel beets and cut into bite sized pieces.
3. Combine the remaining olive oil, mustard and balsamic vinegar in a bowl with a whisk. 
4. On a serving platter, place the arugula in the center as a heaping mound. 
5. In a large bowl, combine the beets and tomatoes with a couple tablespoons of dressing; toss to coat. Transfer mixture over the bed of arugula.
6. Crumble cheese over salad.
7. Drizzle with more dressing if desired and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.