Beet Salad -A celebration recipe

For my birthday this year, a good friend of mine gave me an amazing book – ‘Share’ : A cookbook that celebrates our common humanity by Women for Women International (WFWI). The underlying message of Share is simple: for all our apparent diversity―as individuals, societies and nations―our actions, however small, can have an exponential, positive influence both on the world and the lives of others. Nothing more beautifully conveys our interdependence than the food we eat. The recipes featured in this uplifting book―provided by contributors who are all actively engaged in humanitarian issues, as well women from the eight countries in which Women for Women International (WfWI) work.

I am in love with the illustrations in this book. The night I received this book, I was up past midnight going through it. One recipe that caught my eye right away, was a beet salad recipe by Zainab Salbi, founder of women for women international. I love beets and it had many ingredients that I use everyday. Last weekend I finally decided to make this recipe.  As I was making it, I wasn’t sure how it would come together. However, when I tasted it, the flavors were out of this world! The flavors of sesame seeds, balsamic vinegar, olive oil and fresh ginger along with all the chopped veggies were heavenly. This probably is one of my most favorite salads and I am going to make this again and again.

I made some changes to the original recipe. Instead of using raw beets, I used roasted beets. I also replaced carrots with fresh orange bell pepper that is now in season and I added some grape tomatoes. I followed the rest of the recipe and it indeed was a celebration of colors and taste on my plate and my mouth!

This recipe is from the Celebration section of ‘Share’ – recipes to bring to the peace table, to celebrate our shared humanity. I want to thank Zainab Salbi for this amazing recipe that is a keeper for me. I am so impressed with her work in the war torn, post conflict countries. I salute her for her selfless work and dedication.

My dear friend, Tulika Bhatia, thank you for this priceless gift that I will always treasure!

Here is the recipe for a salad that is full of surprises, it is colorful, beautiful and very healthy:

Prep time: 20 mins  Cooking time:0 mins    Total time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

4 beets (I used roasted beets)
1 medium orange bell pepper
2 celery ribs
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes cut in halves
1 avocado
1 inch piece of fresh ginger, grated
1 table spoon of sesame seeds (I toasted them lightly)
1 tbsp fresh cilantro chopped
6 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Cut the roasted beets, celery and orange bell pepper into small, even cubes. Place in a salad bowl. Add cherry tomatoes.
2. Peel and pit the avocado and cut the flesh into cubes. Add to the bowl and gently mix to combine.
3. Add grated ginger, sesame seeds and cilantro. Pour in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Season with salt and pepper, gently mix and serve.

Author: Archana

Hey there! I am a techie turned recipe developer, cooking instructor, and food blogger. I love food and enjoy developing easy and healthy recipes for busy lifestyles. I live New Jersey with my husband and two sons.

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