This beautiful roasted beet salad is full of flavour, texture and nutrition. It's vegan and gluten-free and high in fibre and nutrients making it just as healthy as it is delicious.
Prep Time30 minutesmins
Cook Time45 minutesmins
Total Time1 hourhr15 minutesmins
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegan
Servings: 4
Author: Deryn Macey
Ingredients
For the Marinated Chickpeas
19ozcan of chickpeasdrained and rinsed
2tbspolive oi
3tbspbalsamic vinegar
2tspdried oregano
1tspdried thyme
1tspsea salt
1/2tspblack pepper
optional: 1/4 tsp chili flakes
For the Balsamic Vinaigrette
3tablespoonsbalsamic vinegar
2tablespoonsapple cider vinegar
2tablespoonsextra virgin olive oil or avocado oil
1tablespoondijon mustard
1 1/2tablespoonspure maple syrup
1/2teaspoonsea salt
1/2tspblack pepper
2clovesgarlicminced
For the Salad
4medium-sized beets
8small to medium carrots
6cupsfinely chopped fresh kale
1cupfresh, frozen and thawed or canned corn
4-8tbspraw pepitas1-2 tbsp per salad
Instructions
Start with the marinated chickpeas. They need to sit for a minimum of 1 hour but can be left up to overnight or even a few days. To make them, place all the ingredients in a bowl or container, mix well, cover and place in the fridge.
Preheat the oven to 425 F. Give the beets and carrots a quick wash and scrub (leave skins on) then rub each with a few drops of olive or avocado oil. Wrap each beet in foil and place on a parchment-paper lined baking tray. Place the carrots on the baking tray as well and sprinkle with a little salt and pepper.
Roast the carrots until they're very tender and starting to bubble and brown, about 30-40 minutes, depending on size. Once roasted, either chop them up or serve whole on top of your salad. I like leaving them whole as they're so tender you can easily chop with a fork while eating your salad.
Roast the beets for 40-60 minutes, depending on size, until you can easily pierce them with a fork. Once tender, remove from the oven, open the foil and let them cool until you can handle them, about 15-20 minutes. Once they've cooled down, you can peel the skin off, cut off the ends and chop them for the salad.
While the carrots and beets are roasting, make the balsamic vinaigrette by whisking or shaking the ingredients together until combined. Be sure to mix it again before adding to your salad as the oil may separate.
Remove the kale leaves from the thick stems and chop it into small pieces. Add to a large mixing bowl. Add a squeeze of lemon juice and a few drops of olive or avocado oil, or add a small amount of the balsamic dressing. Massage the kale with your hands hands for 1-2 minutes.
Divide the kale between 4 bowls, plates or food storage containers. Divide the chopped beets, carrots, corn, marinated chickpeas and pepitas between the 4 portions. Top each salad with equal amounts of the balsamic vinaigrette. Serve immediately.
Notes
You'll need about 15 minutes of hands-on prep time and 15-20 minutes to allow the beets to cool enough to peel them. The other option is to peel the beets before roasting, so once roasted you can just slice and add to the salad right away.