Name: Roasted Beets with Fennel and Bonito Dressing
Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients: 2 pounds small or medium red beets, scrubbed; 1/2 cup olive oil, divided; 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more; 1 teaspoon aniseed or fennel seeds; 1/2 cup white wine vinegar; 1 tablespoon sugar; 1 small fennel bulb, halved lengthwise, very thinly sliced crosswise; 2 garlic cloves, smashed; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1/3 cup bonito flakes; 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice; 1 cup trimmed mature arugula

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Photo by Elizabeth Cecil

Granted, this is a bit of work for a salad, but that’s how to transform vegetables into brag-worthy ingredients. To simplify, you could char the beets and greens in a dry cast-iron skillet.

Recipe information

Yield
Serves 4

Ingredients

2 pounds small or medium red beets, scrubbed

1/2 cup olive oil, divided

2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more

1 teaspoon aniseed or fennel seeds

1/2 cup white wine vinegar

1 tablespoon sugar

1 small fennel bulb, halved lengthwise, very thinly sliced crosswise

2 garlic cloves, smashed

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/3 cup bonito flakes

2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

1 cup trimmed mature arugula

Preparation

Step 1
Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss beets with 1 Tbsp. oil in an 8x8" baking dish; season with salt. Add 1/4 cup water and cover tightly with foil. Roast beets, shaking once, until a knife slips easily through flesh, 60–75 minutes. Let cool slightly, then rub off skins with paper towels. Using 2 forks, tear beets into large pieces; toss in a large bowl with 2 Tbsp. oil.
Step 2
Meanwhile, toast aniseed in a small saucepan over medium heat, tossing often until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add vinegar, sugar, 2 tsp. salt, and 1 cup water. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve sugar and salt, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep 20 minutes. Place fennel in a small bowl and strain brine over. Cover and chill until cold, about 2 hours.
Step 3
Cook garlic, butter, and 1/4 cup oil in a small saucepan over medium, stirring occasionally, until garlic is soft but not brown, about 2 minutes. Stir in bonito flakes and transfer to a blender. Purée until only a few flecks of bonito remain.
Step 4
Prepare a grill for medium heat. Grill beets, turning occasionally, until lightly charred, about 5 minutes. Transfer back to bowl; toss with bonito dressing and lemon juice and season with salt.
Step 5
Toss arugula and remaining 1 Tbsp. oil in a medium bowl; season with salt. Grill until lightly charred in spots, about 30 seconds. Transfer back to bowl.
Step 6
Arrange beets on a platter and top with arugula and drained pickled fennel.