🥗 Caramelised Sweet Potato & Roasted Beet Salad with Feta
📝 Description:
This hearty and wholesome salad is a vibrant medley of roasted beets and caramelized sweet potatoes, finished with creamy feta cheese, crunchy walnuts, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs. The earthy sweetness of the vegetables pairs perfectly with the tangy cheese, making this a flavorful and nutritious side or light main dish.
🧾 Ingredients:
- 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 3 medium beets, peeled and cubed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey (for caramelization)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (lightly toasted)
- Fresh parsley or mint, chopped for garnish
- Optional: A drizzle of balsamic glaze or lemon vinaigrette
🍽️ Servings:
Serves 4–6 as a side, or 2–3 as a light main dish
👩🍳 Instructions:
1. Roast the Vegetables:
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Place cubed beets and sweet potatoes on a lined baking sheet.
- Drizzle with olive oil and maple syrup/honey. Season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
- Roast for 30–40 minutes, flipping halfway through, until tender and caramelized.
2. Toast the Nuts (Optional):
- In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast walnuts for 2–3 minutes until fragrant. Set aside.
3. Assemble the Salad:
- Transfer roasted vegetables to a serving platter.
- Sprinkle crumbled feta and toasted walnuts over the top.
- Garnish with fresh herbs.
- Optional: Drizzle with balsamic glaze or a simple lemon-olive oil vinaigrette.
💡 Notes & Tips:
- Use gloves when peeling beets to avoid stained hands.
- Add greens like arugula or spinach as a base if you want it more salad-like.
- Make ahead: Roast veggies in advance and assemble just before serving.
- For a vegan version: Use plant-based feta or omit cheese.
🥗 Nutritional Information (Per Serving – Approx. 1/5 of recipe):
- Calories: 220
- Protein: 5g
- Carbs: 24g
- Sugars: 8g
- Fat: 12g
- Fiber: 4g
- Vitamin A: 120% DV
- Vitamin C: 30% DV
- Calcium: 10% DV
- Iron: 8% DV
🌿 Health Benefits:
- Beets support blood pressure, liver function, and are rich in antioxidants.
- Sweet potatoes are high in beta-carotene (Vitamin A) and fiber.
- Feta cheese adds calcium and protein in moderate amounts.
- Walnuts provide healthy omega-3 fats and brain-supporting nutrients.
- A fiber- and nutrient-dense dish perfect for vegetarians and gluten-free diets.
❓ Q&A Section:
Q: Can I serve this cold?
Absolutely! It’s delicious warm, room temp, or chilled — making it perfect for meal prep or picnics.
Q: Can I substitute the feta?
Yes! Goat cheese, blue cheese, or a vegan feta alternative work well.
Q: Can I use pre-cooked beets?
You can! Just dice and toss them in at the end. They won’t caramelize the same but still taste great.
Q: What dressing works best?
A simple balsamic vinaigrette or lemon-olive oil mix works beautifully. Even a tahini-lemon drizzle would pair well.
Would you like me to create a printable recipe card, a step-by-step image guide, or a vegan version of this recipe?