Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Yield: 8 servings

You can order the cheese for this recipe here.

4 medium beets, scrubbed and trimmed, leaving about 1-inch of stems attached

For vinaigrette:
1 1/4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon dried tarragon, crumbled
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

For herbed goat cheese:
3/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon, crumbled
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
8 ounces soft Harley Farms Chevre (log), cut into eight 1/2-inch rounds and chilled, covered
2 bunches watercress, coarse stems discarded, rinsed and spun dry (about 8 cups)
1 small red onion, sliced thinly

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Wrap beets tightly in foil and roast in middle of oven 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until tender.

Unwrap beets carefully and cool until they can be handled. Discard stems and peel beets.

Beets may be prepared up to this point 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Cut each beet into 8 wedges and cover.

To make vinaigrette: In a blender, blend together mustard, vinegar, tarragon, salt, and pepper. With motor running add oil in a stream and blend until emulsified. Vinaigrette may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.

Make herbed goat cheese: In a bowl, stir together bread crumbs, tarragon, salt and pepper. Cut each cheese round in half crosswise. Coat each piece of cheese evenly with crumb mixture, pressing gently, and transfer to a baking sheet. Goat cheese may be prepared up to this point 1 day ahead and chilled, covered loosely. Let cheese come to room temperature before proceeding.

Preheat broiler. Broil goat cheese about 2 inches form heat until crumbs are lightly browned, about 2 minutes.

In a bowl, toss watercress and onion with half of vinaigrette. Arrange watercress mixture, beets, and goat cheese on 8 salad plates and drizzle remaining vinaigrette over beets.