'Rocket' Salad Recipe

Want the nitrates without so many beets? Consider trying my recipe for ‘Rocket Salad’ containing spinach, arugula and roasted beets.  It tastes great and delivers an estimated 500 mg of nitrates.  Note: The dressing can be refrigerated for up to a week and makes enough for 4 servings, perfect for a 4 day nitrate trial (I don't recommend eating this 2.5 hours before your event though!)

'Rocket' Salad

Ingredients:

• 3 cups loosely packed spinach (1.5 oz)
• 2 cups loosely packed arugula (1 oz)
• 1 small beet
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
• 1 1/2 teaspoons honey
• 1 1/2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• Optional, but highly recommended: 1 oz of goat cheese and a small handful of walnuts

Preheat oven to 350°. Wrap the beets in foil and roast for about an hour, or until tender. Let cool, then peel and dice the beets. Set aside.In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, orange juice, honey, vinegar and mustard. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the beets and toss to coat. Arrange the greens on a plate and top with the beets, goat cheese and walnuts.