Star Anise, Orange, and Goat Cheese Elevate These Roasted Beets

Whether you’re planning an elegant dinner party or just want to impress your relatives this holiday season, these roasted red and golden beets are just the ticket. Though this dish takes just 15 minutes of active cooking time, the bold flavors of star anise, goat cheese, and red-wine vinegar make it seem much fancier. 

Roasted Red and Golden Beets With Goat Cheese

Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Active Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

6 small red beets
6 small golden beets
4 tablespoons ghee
2 cups orange juice
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup honey
4 star anise
4 ounces goat cheese
3 tablespoons tarragon leaves
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon gomasio

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Scrub and dry beets well. Coat outsides with ghee and wrap each beet in aluminum foil. Place on baking sheet and roast in oven until tender, about 40 minutes.

Meanwhile, add orange juice, red-wine vinegar, honey, and star anise to a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and let simmer for 40 minutes until reduced by a third.

When beets are fully cooked, let cool slightly, then peel and slice lengthwise into sixths. Toss with orange-anise reduction and sprinkle with goat cheese, tarragon leaves, sea salt, and gomasio.

Photo credit: Paul Delmont