Description
Beet Feta Napoleons bring stunning layers of flavor from roasted beets, creamy feta, and a delicate honey herb dressing that will make your dinner guests swoon. Stacking tender beet slices with tangy cheese creates an elegant appetizer that feels both rustic and refined.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 medium beets
- 6 ounces feta cheese
Supporting Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
Dressing Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Crank your oven to 400°F and grab a baking sheet. Thoroughly wash 4 medium beets and dry them completely with a clean towel.
- Massage 2 tablespoons olive oil over the beets. Season generously with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ensuring even coating.
- Wrap each beet tightly in aluminum foil. Place the wrapped beets on the prepared baking sheet and roast at 400°F for 50-60 minutes until tender enough to pierce easily with a fork.
- Pull the beets from the oven and let them rest for 15 minutes. Wait until they’re cool enough to handle safely.
- Slip off the beet skins using paper towels or wearing disposable gloves. Slice the roasted beets into precise ¼-inch thick rounds.
- Crumble the 6 ounces of feta cheese into delicate, small pieces perfect for layering between beet slices.
- Combine 3 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar, ¼ cup chopped parsley, 1 minced garlic clove, and ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard in a mixing bowl.
- Gradually pour ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil into the dressing while whisking constantly to create a smooth, unified sauce.
- Construct small napoleon-style towers on your serving plate by alternating beet rounds and feta crumbles.
- Finish the napoleons with a generous drizzle of honey herb dressing and scatter 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves across the top just before serving.
Notes
- Wear gloves when handling beets to prevent staining your hands and cutting board with their deep red color.
- Test beet doneness by piercing with a fork – they should be tender but not mushy, which usually takes 50-60 minutes.
- Slice beets when they’re slightly warm for easier cutting and more uniform rounds that stack beautifully.
- For a vegan version, replace feta with crumbled almond cheese or cashew-based soft cheese alternative.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes - 1 hour
- Category: Roasted
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 292 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg