I need to learn to reign in my inner cat lady around non-cat people (Mental note - why am I hanging out with non-cat people?). When people pull out their phones to show off their kids, I match photo-for-photo of my cats. This is how I weed people out. Then I inevitably show up to dinner wearing a cat t-shirt and people wonder if all I do all day is play with cats (they'd be correct).
Amanda from Heartbeet Kitchen is not one of those people. She flew across the country last month for a California visit and the first stop on her list? Cat Town Cafe - where she let me buy said cat t-shirt.
Then back to my house to play with more cats while making this beet salad with herb-infused olive oil.
If there are herbs involved, my cats aren't too far away.
Sidenote: The day before my graduation shindig, we got an e-mail from our friends with the subject "cat pics." Inside read "Here are some recent photos of ours" with 12 photos of their cats attached. Where can I collect more friends like these?
If you've been around here awhile, you'll know we've got two cats - a flirtatious sassy tortoiseshell named Aioli who introduces herself to everyone over the age of six and a shy orange guy named Artichoke (Arti) who's afraid of everyone and only lets me pick him up. So when an internet stranger (who's not really a stranger because you've been video chatting online for months) shows up and this timid kitty walks right over to her and lets her hold him for long enough to take some pictures, you know she's magical.
That's Amanda. On a whim one evening, Amanda texted me and Alanna to ask if we were free this random week six months down the line, then just as quickly booked a flight. I've been following Amanda for awhile (and if you aren't - you should be) and am a huge fan of her recipes and photos. And then she showed up on my doorstep and I got to see her magical spirit in person over an epic girls' week.
Amanda oozes whimsical creativity. Where some of us have to write down recipes and study cookbooks and revise said recipes before even thinking about going to the market, Amanda lets the ingredients speak to her. We knew we wanted to collaborate in the kitchen and we knew it must involve beets, but it wasn't until we got to the market that the layers came together after taste-testing a few different herb combos. It takes a seasoned cook to infuse flavor into a dish with only the simplest ingredients, and Amanda does so with such ease every time she cooks.
Guys - she even spatchcocked a whole chicken while I stood by eating olives and chopping garlic. Hoping some of that effortless creativity rubs off on me.
So then there's this salad here. Roasted earthy beets layered with peppery arugula and crispy fried shallots and green garlic all drizzled with a tarragon-basil-infused olive oil. It's simple, but lets each flavor shine as you eat your way through the stack. Insider-tip: It's stellar as is, but some toasted pistachios and a few crumbles of goat cheese pair perfectly with this roasted beet salad.
I'm sharing the tarragon-basil olive oil for drizzling on top here and you can find the rest of the salad recipe over on Heartbeet Kitchen.
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Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons packed basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons packed tarragon leaves
- Pinch of salt
INSTRUCTIONS
- Pulse the basil and tarragon in a food processor until fine (or finely chop the herbs by hand).
- Combine the herbs, olive oil, and salt in a small pan over medium-low heat. Bring to simmer, then remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 15-20 minutes.
- Uncover and let cool.
- Drizzle over a roasted beet salad (recipe found on Heartbeet Kitchen) or store, covered, in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Amanda Paa -
simply put, i'm so glad you are my friend. what a beautiful post, and thank you for all your kind words. i will cherish the visit and all the things we did forever. and i must come back to go to the cat cafe again! especially since i broke my mug :/ plus, i think arti misses me :)
i have made this salad twice at home, the simple flavors, and the contrast of those crispy shallots are soooooooo good! and i've been using the infused oil on meat as well, the perfect addition.
sending love and hugs, amanda
Sarah Menanix -
I tried to look online for that mug but it's all sold out! I'll try to pick one up next time I'm at the cafe:) Arti definitely misses you! So many hugs and kitty snuggles sending you from California! xo!
Sheri -
The colors of this salad are so vibrant! I have to try this for sure!!
Sarah Menanix -
Thanks mama!
suki -
the bf just started a discussion forum for pet pics on disqus. petpics.disq.us - obviously all kinds of pets allowed, but plenty of cat pics. and feel free to post more of your own! :P i would hang around more cats if i wasn't allergic, so for now, just my own (so glad i've adjusted to him over time - still itchy and scratchy if i pet him and then touch my eyes).
Sarah Menanix -
Woahhhh - I know where you'll find me for the next several hours... :) Lucas was allergic too, but he's adjusted to ours too!
Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits -
You two made a GORGEOUS creation! And OMG, Arti....so curious about tarragon. Will he play with me the next time I'm there??
Sarah Menanix -
One can only hope! :) Maybe if you bring him some leafy greens haha. Thanks, Lisa! xo.
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely -
Arti is so cuuuuute! I'd be happy to look at lots of pictures of him. Sounds like you had a good girls week! And this salad is simply perfection : )
Sarah Menanix -
Aww - thank you! I took Arti to the vet today and she just kept exclaiming how handsome he was. I'm one proud kitty mama:)
GiGi Eats -
This may sound nuts but... I have never ever eaten beets before in my life! :o
Sarah Menanix -
For your first try, I recommend pairing a roasted beet with some creamy goat cheese crumbles. They're a match made in heaven!
Anne -
Love the fact that you adore cats so much! They're adorable, except I'm allergic to their fur!!!
I'm sure glad I'm not allergic to any of the ingredients in this salad though because it looks absolutely amazing!!! The photos are gorgeous (and cute!). You're so talented!!!
Sarah Menanix -
Aww - Lucas was allergic to cats too...until we got two of them and then he adjusted over time! Here's hoping you'll eventually grow out of the cat allergy:)
Thank you so much for your sweet words, Anne! <3
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl -
That is the coolest thing that Allana just hopped a flight to come visit. And just checked out her site - awesome! Thanks for the introduction.
Love, love, love this salad too. It's making my mouth water.
And your little kitty photo bomb made my day...
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you so much Marissa! <3
Tessa | Salted Plains -
This salad is a beauty! Sounds like you ladies had a fantastic time! Also, can totally relate to the baby pic/pet pic scenario - too funny. I'd hate to know just how many photos of my dogs take up space on my phone!
Sarah Menanix -
Haha - Dog4Cat trade?? :) (Thank you!!)
Mary -
What is "spatchcocked chicken"? The beet salad looks yummy.
Sarah Menanix -
It's a technique where you split and flatten a chicken to make it bake much quicker in the oven! The results were so perfect and juicy in no time flat!
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen -
You wouldn't have to reign in your inner cat person around me Sarah - I'd be matching you photo for photo of my cats! :-) So, you'd totally have another BFF. But you would have to reign me in over this salad - it looks fresh and amazing, and incredible with beets, which I love!
Sarah Menanix -
Yay!! (E-mail me more cats asap). Thank you so much Kristi!!
Sarah | Broma Bakery -
I am one of those cat people, too. "Look at his face here!" "See how high he's jumping?" Yep. Let's swap cat photos :)
Sarah Menanix -
Yessss - see? Soulmates.
todd wagner -
Even I would wear a cat t-shirt if I got to eat this salad. Seriously, so freaking gorgeous!! In the mean time, do you think they make dog ones...? Kidding!!
I feel so lucky to have met Amanda. Truly an incredibly sweet, genuine, and as you say, magical person. Sad I missed this salad tho...
Sarah Menanix -
Thanks so much, Todd! (Haha - don't ask that at the cat cafe;)
Alana -
OMG seriously this post made me so so happy. Your friendship with Amanda just warms my heart and your love for your fur friends is the best. This salad is GORGEOUS and I'm so inspired to cook up some beets right now!!
Sarah Menanix -
Aww - thank you so much Alanna! <3 Can you come visit again so we can cook together? (Strawberry haupia???)
nicole ~ cooking for keeps -
THIS salad. So gorgeous. Of course I'm a serious beet lover, but those fried shallots are especially singing to me!
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you Nicole! I will admit, we definitely snacked on those fried shallots while we shot pictures of the salad.
Hannah | The Swirling Spoon -
Aww, this post makes me want to become a cat lady and have gorgeous ginger cats!!! I WANT CAT CUDDLES! Some of these photos are jaw dropping - those beets are so colourful!
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you so much Hannah! I fully support becoming a cat lady:)
Alanna -
1) Where can I get a matching cat t-shirt?? 2) This salad is so colorful and gorgeous! Yes yes yes to all of it, and esp. pistachio and goat cheese crumbles. Yum!
Sarah Menanix -
THE CAT CAFE - DUH! Let's go!
Traci | Vanilla And Bean -
Arti looks completely smitten in Amanda's arms. What a charmer he is! I too am a cat lady, however, for the first time in 24 years, we are without cats (as you know). And we are missing our loved ones terribly. However, before we take on our next generation of adoptees, we'll travel a bit (we struggle with leaving them for more than a few days). Then once again, our home will be full of cats! They are the best! Will you give your angels a good chin scratch from me?
Heading to Amanda's now! Pure magic you two... beautiful, delicious, art. Thank you for this Sarah!
Carla (@charliesue) -
Yup. I ate it. Yup, it was AMAZING. The shallots!! YUM.
And also- I want to join in on the Amanda love. Thanks so much for introducing us- she's wonderful and creative and such a bright spot. xo