Easy Paleo-Med Roasted Beet Salad Recipe

While modifying your diet is just one piece of the puzzle, shifting to the Paleo-Med diet can be a really fun and enriching way to improve your relationship with food and begin sharing healthy meals with the people in your life! Our beet and goat cheese salad is a perfect dish for any meal. It goes well with soups like sweet potato, leek, or butternut squash. Learn more about this easy recipe and why the ingredients are so great for you below!

This salad is always a hit for dinner parties and tastes as good as it looks. It’s hearty, fresh, and springy, which is so refreshing as the weather turns from downright arctic to patio-worthy. For variations, you can substitute the chicken with steak or salmon or you can omit the meat altogether and serve it as a side dish.

Ingredients

• 4 large fresh beets –You can use any variety of beets: red beets, golden beets, or pink Chioggia beets would all work well.
• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 lb bacon, chopped in 1/4 inch pieces – For a healthier option, turkey bacon can be used as well.
• 4-8 oz soft goat cheese, crumbled – Goat cheese’s creamy texture and tart flavor pairs wonderfully with the sweet roots.
• 1/2 cup roasted, salted, shelled pistachios – For extra earthiness, richness, and crunch.
• 1 large head of romaine lettuce, chopped and washed
• High-quality vinegar and olive oil – I prefer fig balsamic vinegar
• 1 pint sliced cherry tomatoes
• Flaky sea salt and fresh black pepper

Instructions

• Step 1: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place washed, whole beets on a cookie sheet, brush with olive oil, sprinkle with coarse sea salt, and roast for 1 hour or until tender. Remove and let cool, then peel and chop into bite-size pieces. Toss with some olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a bowl and let marinate until ready to serve.
• Step 2: Put chopped bacon bits into a large cold skillet and cook on medium-high/high heat until crisp, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Remove bacon bits from skillet with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain. Keep bacon drippings in skillet.
• Step 3: Place chopped chicken in heated bacon drippings and cook on medium-high/high heat, stirring frequently. Cook until done, but still tender.
• Step 4: Place chopped romaine on a large platter, then assemble the salad with the above ingredients. Drizzle with olive oil, and balsamic and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Enjoy!

What makes these ingredients paleo-mediterranean?

Curious as to why these ingredients are healthy for you? Let's check it out…

Why Are Beets Healthy?

Loaded with nutritional goodness, beets are rich in antioxidants such as betalains, which help combat cell damage and inflammation. This can potentially offer protection against cancer and heart disease. The health benefits of beets include enhanced exercise stamina, prevention of heart disease and stroke, and lower blood pressure.

Why Is Chicken Part of the Paleo-Mediterranean Diet?

Chicken is a powerhouse of protein, making it a staple for anyone looking to enhance their fitness routine. Consuming chicken regularly can aid in muscle development and bone health, reducing the risk of injuries and conditions like osteoporosis. It is also low in fat compared to other protiens.

What Makes Pistachios Okay for the Paleo-Med Regimen?

Pistachios are packed with antioxidants that are vital for lowering the risks of heart disease, dementia, and cancer. They are also loaded with lutein and zeaxanthin, key antioxidants that support eye health. Pistachios provide healthy fats as well as some protein and fiber.

Why is Romaine Lettuce Good for You?

Romaine lettuce may not be rich in fiber, but it certainly shines in its mineral content, offering calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium. This leafy green is also naturally low in sodium. Additionally, it's loaded with essential vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate. Not to mention, romaine lettuce is an excellent source of beta carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A.

What's So Healthy about Eating Goat Cheese?

Goat cheese is rich in beneficial probiotics, the healthy bacteria that support your digestive system. These probiotics help populate your gut with good bacteria, which can outcompete harmful bacteria and pathogens. This process not only boosts your immune system but also reduces your susceptibility to illnesses. Also, because most sources of cow's dairy in the United States have been correlated to inflammatory and other symptoms in many people, especially as we age, Goat Cheese offers a healthier alternative, allowing you to keep that delicious cheese flavor without the possible side effects.

Paleo-Mediterranean Lifestyle Guide

Want more expertly-curated tips and recipes on how to seamlessly transition into healthier eating patterns?  Explore our definitive guide on adopting a Paleo-Mediterranean lifestyle! This comprehensive Paleo-Mediterranean lifestyle guide kicks off with intuitive questions to help you clarify your objectives around diet, activity levels, and overall well-being. It goes on to demystify nutritional labels and ingredients, empowering you to make informed choices that align with a diet that's both enjoyable and conducive to social occasions. Furthermore, we provide practical advice for incorporating the Paleo-Med principles into your daily life, alongside resources to facilitate this lifestyle change. To get you started, we've curated a selection of over 20 enticing Paleo-Med recipes!

At Medical Transformation Center, we offer individualized treatment plans that are tailored to meet your unique needs. You can learn more about the Paleo-Med lifestyle by checking out our YouTube Channel, our Paleo-Med Lifestyle Guide, or by contacting us today to start your personalized treatment plan. When you're an MTC patient, you get access to regular webinars and in-person workshops like our TransformLifestyle 101 and 102 - all about the Paleo-Med lifestyle and how to begin living it!