This White Balsamic is clean, crisp and very tart and boasts a lovely deep, rose blush. It has an amazingly fruity, complex bouquet that shines in a multitude of culinary applications. Use to dress fruit or vegetable salads, as a marinade, a glaze for poultry, with gelatin for a delicious fruit aspic or even in a mixed drink!
Pair with Blood Orange EVOO or Persian Lime EVOO for a fantastic treat!
Cranberry Pear White Balsamic Vinegar
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds fresh beets
8 oz. Chevre (fresh goat cheese)
6 cups baby arugula or mixed greens
1 cup whole pecans, toasted
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons The Branch Cranberry-Pear White Balsamic Vinegar
1 tablespoon good quality grainy mustard
fresh ground pepper to taste
1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons UP extra virgin olive oil
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400. Trim the beets and wrap in one foil packet drizzled with a tablespoon of water. Roast for 1 hour or until tender when pierced through with a knife. Once the cooked beets are cool enough to handle, peel them by rubbing the skin off between paper towels. Warning: This will dye your hands bright red.
Cut the peeled beets in to 1" pieces and toss with 2 tablespoons of Cranberry-Pear White Balsamic whisked together with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and set aside.
In a medium size bowl, whisk the remaining Cranberry-Pear White Balsamic with the grainy mustard until well combined. Slowly drizzle in your olive oil of choice, whisking constantly until the mixture is thickened or emulsified. Add freshly ground pepper and sea salt to taste.
Arrange the greens in a bowl or on a platter and dress with the Cranberry-Pear White Balsamic vinaigrette. Add the marinated roasted beets to the salad, along with the crumbled fresh goat cheese and toasted pecans.
Serves 6-8 generous portions
