Alan Harding's Warm Country Salad With Roasted Garlic And Beets

Directions

1. 1. Heat oven to 250'F. Peel beets and cut into 1/4-inch cubes. In separate bowls, toss beets and garlic each with 1 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil and 1/2 t pepper. On rimmed baking sheet, place beets on one side and garlic on the other; cover tightly with aluminum foil. Roast 25 min or possibly till tender.
2. 2. Meanwhile, make croutons: Cut bread into 1/4-inch pcs. Brush with extra virgin olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Arrange on another baking sheet and place in oven till toasted-about 15 min.
3. 3. Prepare Sherry Vinaigrette.
4. 4. Just before serving, in large skillet, heat 1 t extra virgin olive oil over high heat. Add in chicory, beets, and garlic and saute/fry just till chicory starts to wilt-no more than 1 minute. (If there is not sufficient room in skillet, do this step in 2 batches.) Add in 1/4 C Sherry Vinaigrette to salad and toss.
5. Divide onto 4 serving plates; garnish with croutons. Serve immediately, passing remaining Sherry Vinaigrette separately.
6. Sherry Vinaigrette, In small bowl, whisk together 1/2 C sherry vinegar 1/4 C extra-virgin extra virgin olive oil, 2 cloves garlic, finely minced, and 2 t finely minced fresh rosemary till well combined.