Goat cheese, beet, and pistachio salad

A salad that offers a colorful assortment of ingredients.

Ingredients:

For the dressing
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp white wine vinegar
2 shallots, finely chopped
1 tsp coarse-grain mustard
pinch of sugar
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 handfuls of arugula (rocket) leaves
5–6oz (175g) goat cheese, cut into slices
4–6 large beets, cooked, peeled,
and coarsely chopped
handful of shelled pistachio nuts, chopped

Preparation:

1. First, make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the oil and vinegar until well blended. Whisk in the shallots, mustard, and sugar, and season well with salt and pepper. Let
the dressing stand for a few minutes to develop the flavors, then taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
2. Arrange the arugula leaves on a large serving platter or 4 individual plates, then top with the beets and goat cheese. Drizzle with a little of the dressing, then sprinkle with the pistachios. Drizzle on more dressing, if desired. Serve with fresh crusty pieces of bread.

Apple Baklava

Ingredients:

Sauteing the apples first to let the water evaporate ensures a crisp crust.
6 Golden Delicious apples
6 Granny Smith apples
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
6 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Nut Mixture
2 1/2 cups walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
24 sheets phyllo dough
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons plain dry bread crumbs
2 tablespoons honey

Preparation:

Apple Layer: Peel and slice apples. Melt butter in Dutch oven over high heat. Add apples, sugar and
cinnamon; cook, stirring occasionally, until apples are tender and juices are evaporated, 15 to 20
minutes. Cool.
Nut Mixture: Combine all ingredients in small bowl.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Trim phyllo sheets to 13 x 9−inch rectangles; cover with plastic wrap. Brush a 13 x 9−inch metal
baking pan with butter. Place 1 phyllo sheet in pan and brush with some of the melted butter (keep
remaining phyllo covered). Layer 5 more phyllo sheets on top, brushing each with butter. Spread 2
cups nut mixture on top and repeat layering with 6 more phyllo sheets and butter. Spread apple
mixture on top; repeat layering with 6 more phyllo sheets and butter. Sprinkle remaining nut mixture
on top; sprinkle with bread crumbs and layer with the 6 remaining phyllo sheets and butter. With
sharp knife, cut lengthwise through pastry and filling into 1 1/2 inch−wide strips, then cut diagonally at
2−inch intervals to make diamonds.
Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until golden. Drizzle honey on top and bake 5 minutes more. Cool in pan on
wire rack.
Serve warm or at room temperature with whipped or ice cream.