Herbed Goat Cheese, Roasted Beet, and Watercress Salad

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Preheat oven to 400°F.

   Step 2

   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.

2. Make vinaigrette:

   Step 3

   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.

3. Make herbed goat cheese:

   Step 4

   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.

   Step 5

   Preheat broiler.

   Step 6

   Broil goat cheese about 2 inches from heat until crumbs are lightly browned, about 2 minutes.

   Step 7

   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.