Beet and Strawberry Balsamic Salad

Simple, savory and fresh all at the same time. Beets and strawberries always pair well together. Add a little balsamic and you have a lovely salad. Join Guest Chef Danielle Premo as she shares this delicate recipe that carries a sweet and tart punch.

Serves FOUR (420 calories per serving)

SALAD INGREDIENTS
1 red beet, roasted and diced
2 golden beets, roasted and diced
1 pint of strawberries, diced
10 roasted almonds, chopped
Four 3 oz servings of chicken breast

DRESSING INGREDIENTS
2 T extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard (I like Annie’s)
¼ tsp salt

DIRECTIONS

To roast the beets, preheat the oven to 450F. Wash the beets, poke holes in each with a fork, then wrap each beet in a piece of foil with a drizzle of olive oil. Roast for 20 – 40 minutes (depends on how small or large the beets are). You know they are done when you can easily pierce with a fork. Set aside, let cool, then remove the skins and dice.

While the beets roast, slice up the strawberries and blend all the dressing ingredients together. Taste the dressing and adjust seasonings as you like.

In a large bowl, mix the beets and strawberries. Toss them in the dressing and sprinkle with roasted almonds. Serve ¼ of the salad with 3 oz of chicken breast.

Danielle Premo is a PCC Cooking Instructor and author of the food blog Mirinette. She graduated from Bastyr University with a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition and culinary arts. Her passion is for creating and sharing meals with others, and building community through food. With a whole foods focus, she is continually inventing new recipes and conducting experiments while dancing around the kitchen to her favorite records. Having plenty of experience in vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free cookery, Danielle particularly likes to introduce people to all the unique vegetables, grains and legumes that compliment a balanced diet. She hopes her classes will inspire others in the realm of creative food concoction while choreographing their own kitchen dance.