two skinny jenkins

this was such a treat.  this salad was like candy!  i have read somewhere that eating avocado with other foods helps your nutrient absorption.  i wish i had allowed a good hour and fifteen to prepare all the ingredients (mainly the beets), because i was pressed and had to cut corners (turned up the oven).

• 3 medium beets, peeled and cut into 6-8 wedges
• 3 T minced onion
• 1/4 C balsamic vinegar
• 1/3 C olive oil
• 1/2 avocado, sliced
• 1/2 C (or so) dried cranberries
• 1/3 C feta cheese
• romaine lettuce
• 1/2 C walnuts
• 3 T brown sugar
• 1 T canola oil

BEETS:

1. preheat oven to 425°
   
2. to make dressing, mix together balsamic vinegar, evoo, and onion in medium sized bowl.  toss beets in dressing and let marinate while the oven heats up.
3. bake beets for 25 min, then flip and bake another 20 min, or until soft through.

CANDIED WALNUTS:

1. heat canola oil and brown sugar (and a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper) in medium saucepan with walnuts.  keep stirring as the sugar caramelizes and begins to coat the nuts (about 5 minutes).
2. when the sugar is fully caramelized, remove from heat and pour the nuts onto a piece of parchment or a plate to cool.  THEY LOOK NICE, BUT ARE VERY HOT AND WILL BURN YOU.  i found this out the hard way…