Thursday, January 14, 2010

Flatbread with Roasted Beets, Texas Goat Cheese and Chestnut Honey


Beets originated somewhere along the Mediterranean and have been known to offer health benefits since ancient times.  In fact, beet juice was considered an aphrodisiac by the Romans and beets have been dubbed nature's viagara.  Recent studies have shown that beets may inhibit tumor growth, and that they are high in antioxidants, folate, vitamin C and iron.  Beet greens (which include Swiss chard) are even more nutritious than the roots which we use here, but both are on Jonny Bowden's list of 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth.  We are growing several beet varieties including Bull's Blood, which is primarily grown for its leafy greens, Golden and Detroit Dark Red.  If you're choosing based on nutritional considerations, red are best, but we love the look and taste of golden beets.

For this flatbread we used an artisanal goat cheese, CheesyGirl's Plain Jane, made just outside of Houston in Sealy, Texas.  We love discovering a local cheesemaker, and the musky flavors worked well with the sweetness of the beets and honey.

Flatbread with Roasted Beets, Texas Goat Cheese and Chestnut Honey

Ingredients

1                     Flatbread Dough
2                     golden beets
3         oz         goat cheese
1/2      Tbs       chives, chopped
1          tsp      red wine vinegar
1         Tbs      olive oil
1/4       tsp      sea salt
1/8       tsp       black pepper
1          tsp       olive oil
                       chestnut honey

Procedure
  1. Preheat the oven to 350° and put pizza stone in to start warming up.
  2. Wash the beets and trim the stems to about 1 inch. Place them in a small baking pan and toss with 1 Tbs olive oil, 1 Tbs water, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper.
  3. Cover with aluminum foil and roast for about 50 minutes, or until there is no resistance when the beets are pierced with a sharp knife. Remove from oven and let cool. 
  4. Turn up temp on oven to 500°.
  5. When the beets are cool enough to handle, place on a paper towel and rub gently with the towel to remove the skin. Repeat with the second beet. Trim away and discard the stems and any roots. Slice beets to 1/4" thin,  place slices in a bowl, and toss with a pinch of salt and pepper, 1 tsp olive oil, and the vinegar. 
  6. After dough has rested at room temp for 15 minutes, roll out on well-floured surface to an 8" circle.  
  7. Spread a thin layer of olive oil, then add goat cheese and beets.  Add more goat cheese on top, chives, sprinkle with sea salt, and then drizzle with chestnut honey.
  8. Bake until done, about 5  minutes, drizzle with a little more honey, and serve immediately.


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    22 comments:

    1. Beautiful colors in this. Love the tanginess of goat cheese with honey!

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    2. I love an excellent goat cheese!! This flatbread sounds and looks great...sweet and savory is always an excellent combo!

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    3. The combination of beets and goat cheese is so irresistible. I love the idea of putting it on flatbread. Beet greens and swiss chard are one of my favorite greens. Thanks for the inspiration. I'm really enjoying your posts and your blog Robin and David.

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    4. The colors are so vibrant and the combination is just outstanding. We only have red beets in the Philippines.

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    5. That looks beautiful, I love roasted beets, it accentuates the flavors.

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    6. I've never had a golden beet, so just curious... does the yellow color run all over everything as is the case with their red counterparts?

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    7. I'm loving the combination of roasted golden beets and goat cheese, yum!

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    8. i have to try this...beets and chevre are always delicious.

      i found you through foodbuzz, will have to keep checking back. great recipes!

      a tres bientot!

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    9. Oh this must taste so good, combination of beets and goat cheese, on crunchy bread. Love beets, and have tons of those in my refrigerator to eat right now!

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    10. Don't know how my comment is posted as Francois, right above, probably because my boyfriend used my computer and logged in as Francois. Francois IS Silvia :o)

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    11. I never thought to have beets on pizza! They almost look like squash...what a brilliant color! And goat cheese my favorite cheese ever! This is SUCH a winning combo! Love the addition of sweet chestnut honey, too!

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    12. I love beets and this looks awesome. The picture is great because I can just imagine how delicious that tastes.

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    13. I've got to get my hands on chestnut honey. I'm running into more & more recipes calling for it!

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    14. Wonderful flatbread here. Really looks some tasty too!

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    15. Beetroot and goat cheese are a match made in heaven (though I am sure my friends would argue that I would find a rock or a lump of poo and goat cheese a match made in heaven, I'm such a sucker for it). Looks delightful :D

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    16. I love different honeys, and I'm really intrigued to taste chestnut honey, yum.

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    17. We grow beets in the summer and can't get enough of them. Thanks for the great new idea for using them!

      Are you growing beets now, outside??

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    18. I just found my appetizer for next weekend's dinner party; thanks!

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    19. We love the golden beets. This is so creative and fresh. We will do it soon. best from Montecito, California where it is raining!

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    20. this looks wonderfully delicious...perfect for a weekend!
      Ronelle

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