Gold and Red Beet Carpaccio with Honey Balsamic Reduction

Close up of gold and red beats, topped with arugula, mozzarella cheese balls, and drizzled with a balsamic dressing, includes a knife and fork.
Jonathan Moore and Aubrey Janelle selfie, both wearing backpacks and waterproof jackets, with the mountains in the background.
Jonathan Moore and Aubrey Janelle selfie, both wearing backpacks and waterproof jackets, with the mountains in the background.

Jonathan Moore and Aubrey Janelle

28 & 26, Portland, OR

Jon is a commercial and documentary photographer, Creative Director at The Beans and Rice, and advocate for environmental responsibility. At the heart of his work, he’s driven by a strong sense of narrative. Aubrey Janelle is a lifestyle photographer living in Portland, Oregon. With a passion for journalism, her focus lies in creating a narrative that is authentic and alluring.

A Taste of Wild - Pacific Northwest

Jon Moore and Aubrey Gigandet bring you restaurant-worthy recipes you can make on the road, inspired by their travels in the Pacific Northwest.

Gold and Red Beet Carpaccio with Honey Balsamic Reduction

With the summer comes the opening of the farmer’s market. That Saturday, we blended into the bustling crowd of locals, whose baskets were full of fresh produce as they bounced from tent to tent. Fruits and vegetables scented the air, and the golden sun warmed us from above. You could feel the love the produce was grown with. And there, around the corner, under a big, white tent, Aubrey and I saw bundles of beets. They were just out of the ground, as big as softballs, still black with traces of Oregon soil.

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 large golden beets
  • 2 large purple beets
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • Cherry-size fresh mozzarella balls (Bring extra. We ate three-quarters of them while we prepped.)
  • 4 cups arugula
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
  • Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
  • Sea salt, to taste
  • Olive oil, to taste

COOKING TOOLS

  • Peeler
  • Cutting board
  • Knife
  • Pair of gloves (if you don’t want to get your hands stained)
  • Medium pot
  • Small stainless steel pan
  • Cooking spoon
  • Tongs

METHOD

Wash and peel the beets.

Boil them in a medium pot with the garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon salt. Let ’em go for 15-20 minutes until they’re tender. If you have a skewer or knife handy, you should be able to poke it right through the middle without any resistance when they’re ready.

In a small saucepan, heat 1/4 cup honey with 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar and reduce by half or until it’s thick. It will thicken even more once it has cooled.

Both the beets and the honey balsamic reduction need to cool. The beets, in particular, will take awhile, so throw everything in the fridge and go about your day. Maybe go learn something new. You’ve got time.

Once you’re sure the beets are cool, grab a cutting board. Time to flash those knife skills.  Slice your beets to the thinnest of your capabilities. Ideally 1mm. You should be able to see the sun through a slice when you hold it up. Arrange the beets in a circle on a plate, place a handful of arugula at the center, garnish with the mozzarella, and finish with a drizzle of balsamic reduction, olive oil, sea salt and black pepper. Make a bunch of dad jokes as you serve, like how “the beet goes on” or  that your carpaccio is “unbeetable.” They’ll love it.

Yields 4 servings.

Aubrey in a floppy black hat stops to smell pink and purple flowers.
Stopping to smell the flowers at the local farmers market.
Faucet filling a pot of water while orange beets rest inside stainless steel sink.
Let your water boil while you’re prepping the beets.
Hand places sliced red and gold beets into a circle on a white plate, with chopped beats and a bowls in the background.
Alternate beet colors for style points.
Close up of olive oil being poured onto a pile of arugula lettuce and small mozzarella cheese balls.
Keeping the drizzle of olive oil light will make for a perfect presentation.
Serving beet, arugula, mozzarella salad into white plate with glass of white wine.
We recommend mingling the beet, mozzarella, and arugula in one bite to get the full effect.
Front view of Class C motorhome looking out over grassy lawn and beach.
Soaking up the view while enjoying your meal is highly encouraged.

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