G’day ladies.
It’s salad time around here, though to be honest I eat salad all year, especially living here now, as it can be grown pretty much round the clock…and having it out in the garden, too easy…there really is no excuse not to stick a handful of this on the side of any meal.
So.
When we first moved to Sydney we started to make friends and be part of the community and the strange little cultural differences started to make themselves known (this is a FAQ I get about moving to the other side of the world, you can read my answers plus more FAQ here).
One of the biggest ones for us was that lots of socializing is done down the beach, on picnic benches, by a outdoor bbq or at the local parks…many an invitation will be to an outdoor bbq area (which by the way are free bbqs built and maintained beautifully by the local council…amazing)
These bbqs normally have a few requirements built into just them and are a pre-requisite just because this place is the Lucky Country...there will more than often be some kind of amazing view that these natives just think is normal 
, there is very often ocean or water nearby and it’s nearly always good or at the least do-able weather…
We are now in the swing of these events but in the early days we were very much very wet behind the ears English people…turning up with perhaps a picnik blanket and a basket and not much else…the Aussie way is to pack half your house in the back of your car…set up a camp around one of these bbq’s and spend the whole day, eating, drinking, sitting in your chair and lapping up the lifestyle, the ocean and the sun….rock up to one of these events…and they will be going on all around you in parks, on beaches and on the side of the road and you will see a paraphernalia of things being carted from carparks to perfect spots in the shade…mountains of Eski’s, a plethora of chairs and we’ve even seen sofas, extra bbq’s just for the heck of it, picnic blankets by the boatload, parasols, a multitude of balls and games equipment and the list goes on and on.
So, also at one of these affairs different people bring different things and we are not talking some hastily thrown together pork pie wrapped in foil….no these guys do it very well…and often you will be asked to bring salad.
Oh no.
Don’t even think you got the easy job.
You so didn’t.
If you, being fresh off the boat, think bingo, I can open a bag of ready-washed salad, dump it on a paper plate and hope for the best….you’ll hear those Aussie sniggers from a mile off.
No.
These people are Professional Salad Bringers and Super Salad Makers.
I blame it on the climate.
but now, having been caught oh-so-very short more than once at these occasions, I am prepared…and seeing as now I am 100% Fair Dinkum, got my name on a Citizenship Certificate Australian I thought I’d better sort this little Aussie/Pommie wrinkle out and now I have a few of these Salad Extravaganzas of my own up my sleeve.
Anyway so one day we rocked up at one of these events, with our requisite plate of food in tow and one of my friends Kate, had an amazing salad all beautifully laid out and looking not only delicious, but seriously Donna Hay worthy…and, blow me down, it also had one of my fave vegetables in it…beetroot….I had never thought much beyond beetroot other than that I loved it and cooking it and serving it as a side-vegetable or using it as a sliced side, on it’s own with cheese or sliced meats…
Here though it rocks.
It kinda sits there in all its glory and pairs up so beautifully with the feta…and just when you think it couldn’t get any better, in drops some texture and you are enveloped with nuttiness courtesy of the walnuts…
And guess what, it has also passed the Beach Cottage Too Easy Makes You Look Like a Goddess When Really You Did Not Much Test.
I have tried this enough times, in a few different ways to consider it one of the secret Go To recipes that help me out when life is crazy but food still has to be eaten…and I kinda turned it into a Dump and Go…my kinda recipe…
If you go to a potluck or event where you have to bring something this is super easy but indeed we eat this a lot around here just because
…for some reason my kiddos think that because there are walnuts in it it’s some kinda amazing salad.
Which it is.
I hesitate to write a ‘recipe’ for this…because for sure, this is little more than throwing a few salad leaves around, opening a packet of walnuts, crumbling some feta and chopping up some beetroot…but here goes
Beach Cottage Go To Pot Luck Salad
1 x pack green salad (I use rocket, spinach from the garden but most greens work)
a bunch of beetroot (normally 3/4 beetroots)
1 x large handful walnuts, broken up into small pieces
3 to 4 tbsp feta cheese in oil
salt and pepper
1. peel and cube beetroot into bite size plus a bit more pieces and put in a pan of boiling water, turn to simmer & cook until softened (about 15 to 20 mins)
2. dump green leaves on platter
3. when beetroot is cooked allow to cool & arrange on top of leaves
4. randomly throw around the walnuts
5. crumble over the feta
6. pour over some of the oil from the feta
7. season with salt and pepper
Beach Cottage notes : I like Maldon sea salt on this
I always keep a jar of the marinated feta in oil in the fridge…too easy for quick lunches and emergencies…
…if taking this to a potluck or indeed an Aussie bbq, prepare the beetroot & when cool shove in a ziploc bag & do the same in a double lined tiny one for the cheese with a little bit of oil in there too – load the fancy platter you are taking with you to make it look like you spent ages on this, with the bag of leaves, the bag of feta and the walnuts…when you arrive dump it on in order, grab a beer and go
I normally cook up the beetroot right when I buy it and then just keep it covered in the fridge for use as and when…lovely on its own too with lots of salt & pepper
the beetroot is lurverly roasted in the oven or on the bbq…nothing really is simpler
throw your beetroot cooking liquid on the garden
This is great to bring out with any simple meat dish when you are having people over…you can do everything beforehand and then just quickly assemble it while they are all sitting on the deck sipping their wine casually while you are desperately trying not to run around like a headless chicken in the kitchen…this solves the headless chicken bit…
I use a huge old vintage platter…and get all the other bits ready earlier in the day and then just dump and go….it’s more than good enough and hearty enough to serve this and only this salad with simple chicken, fish and bread, especially if you are following by chucking a few wedges of cheese, bought from the deli at your guests…
As ever, I’d love it if you let me know if you try it, I really enjoying blogging recipes (especially the photo taking bit), but more, I have found that opening an email or comment or Facebook update from someone saying that yes my recipe was easy and tasty and not much effort, somehow to me is, well, very rewarding.
Anyhoo lovelies, I am scooting off…
All is well in love and war
I love beetroots – have to try this salad, sounds super easy.
I love salad! We are allergic to nuts (as are so many people) so I put sunflower seeds in salad instead of nuts. Yum!
My mom thinks she is the salad queen…I’ll show her! Ahahaha >: )
I will try it this weekend…she is comeing to visit.
Sounds terrific. I’ve never had beets by he way. Not a popular food here in texas, but I’d love to start a new trend.
♥Linsey
Yum seared beef on the top and you’ve got a great dinner on your hands too.
Yum!! The pictures make this salad look amazing!!
This sounds delicious! Now I’m going to have to start looking for feta marinated in oil as the only way I’ve seen it here in Indiana is wrapped in plastic or in a little tub. Have a good day!
Kiwis are also known for packing up and bringing “half the house as you call it”. In NZ we often say “brought everything but the kitchen sink!” Your salad looks so summery, simple and fresh!
Lovely photos Sarah – I make this salad too but roast my beets – will give the boiling method a try next time.
So funny your description of the “picnic” – cant imagine it any other way – all the “clobber” being dragged along.
Heres to many sunny days and beachy picnics xx
Sarah, keep the easy recipes coming PLUS the lovely anecdotes about the cultural differences. They’re so entertaining and make me lol.
alison
love beets any which way, but this sounds delicious. will have a go at it very soon.
love the dump and go method. who says you have to spend all day in a kitchen to
make something healthy, tasty, and eye appealing. you go girl!
p.s. in reply to peggy …she can get feta in oil at kroger in indiana.
hope that helps her.
thanks!
It’s amusing to hear how we Aussies are viewed with our bbq’s etc. It makes me appreciate our culture even more.
Have a good one. jojo3b
and yep, love all those yummy goodness veggies ,cheese and nuts so will def give it a go. It also looks very pretty too. tehee
You told that story about us Aussies so nicely. We do take our views for granted and it is a laugh to see how much one can squeeze into the back of the car when off to the beach or river haha
To try something a little different with this salad add some orange slices….. and a squeeze of orange juice over the top.
I hate beetroot but this salad works equally well with sweet potato or pumpkin…….
Thanks for sharing
As per your usual….fabulously written and photographed post! Can’t wait to try the salad….for it’s beauty alone, although it does sound delicious also! Thanks so for doing what you do my dear!
Yum! Like a previous poster, I’ve always roasted my beets as well. Will try boiling next time
gorgeous salad!! I know what you mean with the aussie bbq. newly married and new to australia, turned up to a bbq with a measly pack of sausages and beer….my very coastie and very aussie husband had only brought that when he was single!!this recipie is definitely gonna be an addition to the bbq list…hey..you are great for educating new aussies like us!! thank you, thank you, thank you
This looks great. Have you got any beetroot in your garden?
When I forget and leave it too late to cook the beetroot before a meal, I peel it and grate it, mix it with some chopped mint a bit of balsamic, sprinkle of brown sugar and a dollop of sour cream- its delicious!
I made a meal for some friends (husband had had an accident and the rest of the family unwell) recently and made your 40 garlic chicken, threw a garden salad together, put in a crusty loaf of bread and made your carrot cupcakes. They couldn’t say enough good things, thought it was all very gourmet, restaurant quality food!!!
LOVE this Sarah- I was giggling into my laptop over your description of the aussie bbq/picnic thing…
Having grown up doing it- I’ve never really thought about it…but now having lived on this side for a while- I realise that we picnic quite differently…
Aussie picnic aren’t simple and quaint and based on the weather quite like the english version.
This is a brilliant recipe- I FB-ed it and tweeted it as I can’t imagine anyone not being happy to get the heads up here!
Thanks!
Melissa x
lol this is more like it – no actual (or very little) cooking involved just wash ,chop, throw and toss together and eat yum! Yes it is the season for the BBQ, I love this time of the year! We personally like to bring our own little tent(those shade shelter thingys) for shade in case there is none (and for privacy for those of us breastfeeding) and a hammock with some blankets. Not to mention all the toys (I’m thinking of buying a croquet set (mallet and ball).For food we are usually asked to bring part of the meat side of the dish because our friends seem to think I’m some sort of marinate genius – Who knew something so simple!BBQS at the park or the beach are soooo much fun!
Ahhhhhh yes now how did I forget to mention the tents???
I never liked beets until my brother in law ( a chef) made them for me. He grew in his own garden. He brushes with olive oil and grills them. Oh my, they are yummy. So, with that method of prep plus your salad, it sure sounds like a winner. Thank you for sharing…
Hey Sarah, howya didling me old china? A great post as usual. I love the fact that people in this neck of the woods take everything to their do’s. Being another immigrant (New Zealand) from the old country, I so get ya point about taking everything with you. You should see what we take camping now…go on ask me…. well I’ll tell you… every flippin thing! We can go away knowing that our house is safe from burglary, because there is didly squat left in it! The kiwis even take their xmas trees and decorate their tents with fairy lights….love it!
Anyhoo, I just thought I would share a slight variation of your recipe with you that another friend of mine gave me…it’s heaven. Put simply, beetroot, peeled and chopped oranges, balsamic vinegar and feta. Gaaaa’aaawjus! She is gluten intolerent and it’s safe as, (oh God I’ve gorn native) for folk like her, always an added benefit!
La’ters Jo
Well, my husband would LOVE this – and it is beautiful looking. Sadly, he’ll never get it at home because his loving wife thinks that beets taste like dirt – and I don’t cook them.
Thanks for sharing the great photos though!
Mary in MN
Sent the daughter out for the beets & feta.
No feta in oil so I used my own olive oil.
We used baby spinach leaves and sprinkled the whole lot with a bit of balsamic vinegar, salt & tri-color ground pepper.
It was fabulous and none of us have ever thought to use beets!!!
I am thinking this would be great with pickled beets & onions!!
Thanks for sharing this idea. YUM!
I am going to your recipes and printing out the others right now!
Yum – I adore this combo – and to share a new technique – thanks to some quick thinking today – I have just slow cooked yet another chicken – and I wrapped some beetroot in foil and threw it in – the easiest way to cook it and the gravy is sooooo divine – try it! Yumbo!
You have done it again
another easy peasy throw together recipe.
Hmmm, I can just imagine how good a BC cookbook would be, you would have us drooling just over the images
x
the photo taking I think is better than the eating Tammi xo
This salad sounds so healthy and delish! I’ve only every roasted my beetroot, but boiling it sounds far easier. Think I will pick some up at the market this weekend. Thanks