Beet and Red Onion Salad with Ricotta-Provolone Topping

Beet and Red Onion Salad with Ricotta-Provolone Topping

To avoid ruby-red hands, peel beets under running water. Prepare and chill the salad a day or two ahead to allow the flavors to meld. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes, and prepare cheese mixture and chop basil right before serving.

Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 1 cup salad, about 1 tablespoon basil, and about 1 tablespoon cheese mixture)

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 pounds small beets
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons extravirgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups thinly sliced red onion
• 1/2 serrano chile, seeded and thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup (1 ounce) finely shredded sharp provolone cheese
• 2 teaspoons hot water
• 1/3 cup thinly sliced fresh basil

Preparation
Leave root and 1 inch of stems on beets; scrub with a brush. Pierce each beet 2 times with a sharp knife. Place beets in a large heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag, and seal halfway. Microwave at HIGH 20 minutes or until tender, rotating bag every 5 minutes. Remove bag from microwave; cool to room temperature. Remove beets from bag; reserve liquid in bag. Peel beets, and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices.

Combine reserved liquid, vinegar, oil, salt, and pepper in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add beets, onion, and serrano; toss gently to coat.

Combine ricotta, provolone, and hot water, stirring well. Sprinkle salad with basil; top with cheese mixture.

Nutritional Information
Calories:159 (29% from fat)
Fat:5.1g (sat 2.1g,mono 1.7g,poly 0.3g)
Protein:7.2g

Carbohydrate:23.2g
Fiber:6.2g
Cholesterol:11mg
Iron:1.9mg
Sodium:424mg
Calcium:135mg