ROASTED BEET SALAD WITH LEMON CREME FRAICHE

from Food & Wine

As a teenager growing up in Los Angeles, Becerra made regular forays to Canter’s Delicatessen for borscht (beet soup) topped with a dollop of sour cream. Memories of that soup helped him create this spectacular salad, which combines earthy-sweet beets, vinegary pickled red onions and a lemony crème fraîche dressing.

• 1 large red onion, sliced crosswise 1/2-inch thick and separated into rings
• 1 1/2 cups balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard seeds
• 1 tablespoon acacia honey
• 5 bay leaves
• 2 pounds beets sliced bite size (without tops)
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup water
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 cup dry red wine, such as Syrah
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 cup crème fraîche
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
• 1 bunch watercress or spicy arugula, thick stems discarded

Place the onion rings in a large heatproof jar or bowl. In a medium saucepan, combine the balsamic vinegar with the mustard seeds, honey and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Pour the hot liquid over the onion rings, pressing to submerge them. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Preheat the oven to 375°. In a medium roasting pan, toss the beets with the olive oil and water. Cover tightly with foil and braise until tender, about 45 minutes. Let the beets cool in their braising liquid. Peel the beets, return them to the liquid and season with salt and pepper. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, boil the red wine with the sugar over high heat until reduced to a syrup, about 10 minutes. Let the wine reduction cool. In a bowl, whisk the crème fraîche with the lemon juice and zest and season with salt. Spread the crème fraîche on a platter. Mound the beets on the crème fraîche and drizzle with their cooking liquid. Garnish with the pickled onion rings and watercress; drizzle with the wine reduction and serve.