Roasted Beet, New Onion and Rice Salad with Katz Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc Vinegar Recipe

This versatile, seasonal salad is loaded with texture, from crunchy to crisp to chewy. The beets, currants, and new onions all have a natural affinity to the sweet and tangy Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc Agrodolce Vinegar, while the aromatics and spices give the salad a comforting warmth.  You can serve this as a side dish, or pair it with grilled or smoked chicken or salmon for a nice lunch or brunch main course.

This recipes courtesy of Albert and Kim Katz.

Directions:

1. Cover currants in a bowl with half the vinegar and let sit for an hour.

2. Rinse rice until the water runs clear. Place in pot with 1-1/2 cup water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, cover and bring to a boil. Reduce to lowest setting and cook for 12 minutes. Turn off and let sit covered for another 12 minutes. Transfer cooked rice to a bowl and fluff with a fork. Add half the oil and toss.

3. In a sauté pan add half the oil and warm. Add leeks and sweat over low heat (do not brown!). Add garlic, red onions and green onions and warm for about 3 minutes.

4. Pour over rice with currants, celery, almonds, beets, rest of vinegar and toss. Add paprika, nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle chives and serve slightly warm or at room temperature.

Nice additions: fresh fennel, sliced baby artichokes or blue lake beans.

Serves: 4-6