Roasted Beet, Strawberry, and Feta Salad

This week in our CSA box we received the following:
Leeks
Collard Greens
Cucumbers
Zucchini
Golden Beets
Strawberries
Galia Melon
Grapefruit

Today was so incredibly beautiful that I decided to make something that would reflect that very beauty in a dish! So, today, it was a Summer Salad of fresh strawberries, roasted golden beets, toasted almonds, all topped with feta! Since Lavender grows prevalently in the Summer, I decided to make a Lavender-Strawberry Vinaigrette! I hope it reflects a beautiful day for you, as well!!
(Disclaimer: I usually just throw recipes together, and then remember that I was supposed to write it down (oops!) So, this was roughly put together. The good news, is you can add or take away as you wish!)

Ingredients:
*4 Fresh Beets (I used Golden, but there are many to choose from)
6-8 Fresh Strawberries (sliced in half, length-wise)
Field Greens or Arugula
1 tsp chopped fresh Sage
1 large handful of chopped roasted almonds
Crumbled Feta
2 tsp Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:
Preheat oven to 420 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut Beets into 3 inch pieces (you don't even need to peel), and toss with Olive Oil, chopped sage, salt and pepper. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the beets are tender on the inside and caramelized on the outside.
Allow the beets to cool slightly as you arrange the rest of the salad.
In a salad bowl, throw in the Field Greens. Arrange the sliced strawberries and roasted beets on top of the greens. Sprinkle with roasted almonds and feta cheese.
Either toss with the Vinaigrette (recipe follows) or place vinaigrette on side, and add as you like.

Vinaigrette:
Juice of 1 Lemon (approximately 2 Tbs)
2 tsp of naturally sweetened strawberry jam (I use Organic Strawberry jam sweetened with grape juice)
1/4 tsp Lavender Buds
1 tsp Dijon mustard
4 T. Olive Oil
sea salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Add all the ingredients--except the Olive Oil--in a small bowl, and whisk together.
Slowly drizzle in the Olive Oil, as you whisk vigorously to bring the mixture together. Remember to taste to your liking before you serve.

Enjoy!

*Beets are powerful blood cleansers! They also contain high amounts of minerals, especially Iron. We use them regularly to assist with Anemia and other blood ailments. Beets are excellent for strengthening the heart, as well as assisting our digestion and relieving constipation.
There is a term:"The Doctrine of Signatures." This simply means that certain foods will show us exactly what functions and organs they assist in our bodies, by the way they look. Beets, in their raw form, look similar to a heart--you can certainly see this with the red varieties. If you cut it in half, it looks like there are veins running through it--hence, the great assistance to our veins and arteries. I have attached a photo above of the golden beet cut in half, to show you this very example.
Isn't Nature brilliant?

To Our Greatest Health!