Spring

Sauvignon and Lemon Braised Celery with Roasted Golden Beets and White Balsamic

by:
March 15, 2012
4
1 Ratings
  • Serves 4
Author Notes

I love lemon and celery together. The lemon cuts the saltiness of the celery. So I thought I would try braising celery with lemon, but much to my good fortune I had a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc within reach! I thought the combo of 3 sounded great! I headed to the grocery store and spotted some beautiful golden beets. I don't know about you, but food talks to me! The beets grabbed my attention, communicating that they so wanted to make the 3-some a 4-some! Why not! Ahhh I just love the adventure and discoveries of cooking! —Merry

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Ingredients
  • Roasted Beets and Braised Celery
  • 4 medium golden beets, scrubbed and cut in halves
  • 2 tablespoons garlic olive oil
  • 1 bunch celery, rinsed, leaves chopped and reserved
  • 1 tablespoon Grapeseed oil
  • 1 pinch kosher salt
  • 1 pinch fresh ground pepper
  • 1/2 tablespoon chopped garlic
  • 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
  • 1 cup Sauvignon Blanc wine
  • 2 teaspoons agave syrup
  • 1 whole lemon, sliced
  • White Balsamic Vinaigrette
  • 1/4 cup White balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon finely grate lemon zest
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon coarse black pepper
Directions
  1. Roast beets and make vinaigrette first.
  2. BEETS: Divide and drizzle garlic oil on the center of 4 sheets of foil. Add a pinch of salt. Place beet cut side down on oil and fold to create a pouch. Bake in the center of the oven, at 425 degrees, for 45 minutes or until soft when pierced with a fork. When done baking carefully remove foil, peel and place on top of the braised celery.
  3. WHITE BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE: In a small bowl, whisk all vinaigrette ingredients, cover and set aside for at least 30 minutes as beets roast. Add salt, water, or agave to taste.
  4. CELERY: Peel any of the fibrous outer stalks of celery with a vegetable peeler make sure to remove all strings. Cut into 4-inch long pieces. Heat the grapeseed oil in a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the celery, salt and pepper and cook for 4 minutes until just beginning to brown and soften slightly. Add garlic and lemon zest and cook on medium-low 1 minute. Add wine and agave, cover and reduce heat to low; cook for 5 minutes. Uncover, increase heat to high or medium-high and allow the celery to cook until the wine dissipates.
  5. TO SERVE: Transfer braised celery to a serving dish, top with roasted beets and drizzle with white balsamic vinaigrette. Sprinkle with reserved celery leaves. Garnish with lemon slices and grind a little black pepper over, if desired.
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4 Reviews

Merry March 16, 2012
i'm not sure how to edit my recipes ~ if anyone could help, I'd appreciate it! It says go to "Recipe" page but I don't see an edit tab.
Merry March 16, 2012
Ooops please add 1/3 cup of olive oil to the Vinaigrette!!!
Merry March 16, 2012
Oh my goodness, where did the oil go ~ you are so right, I had about a 1/3 cup olive oil!!! I must have quit too soon because it was my last ingredients in the Vinaigrette line up!!! I like to mix all the other ingredients and then add the oil. I thought about adding pistachios to this celery side dish but I am forever adding everything under the sun to my recipes. I am trying to simplify and allow just a few main ingredients speak. BUT yes, toasted walnuts or pistachios would be wonderful. I can really taste the toasted walnuts now...yep, they are speaking to me! THANKS!!!
LeBec F. March 16, 2012
this looks like a terrif combination you have come up with. I think toasted walnuts would make a good addition too. Did you mean to include oil in your vinaigrette?( If so, you won't be able to edit it until it comes out of the tet kitchen phase, iirc.) Thx much for this.