Tender mixed salad greens (mesclun) from the garden or farmers' market along with baby beets, crispy and salty prosciutto and a creamy dressing make a fabulous salad.

Spring Salad with Beets, Prosciutto and Creamy Onion Dressing

Serves 6.

Active Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

1 teaspoon plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided

4 very thin slices prosciutto (about 2 ounces)

1 bunch beets (about 12 ounces), preferably baby-size, stems and greens removed

1 medium sweet onion, sliced

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1/4 cup nonfat or low-fat buttermilk

2 tablespoons white-wine vinegar

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

14 cups mixed salad greens

Preheat oven to 400 F. Brush 1/2 teaspoon oil over a large baking sheet. Cut prosciutto into 1- to 1 1/2-inch squares and place on the baking sheet. Brush the prosciutto with 1/2 teaspoon oil. Bake until crispy, 5 to 7 minutes. Carefully transfer the prosciutto "chips" to a wire rack with a spatula. (If you leave them on the baking sheet, they won't be as crisp.)

Meanwhile, place beets in a large saucepan with enough water to cover by at least 2 inches. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook until tender when pierced with a fork, 20 to 30 minutes. (If using larger beets, they will take up to 40 minutes.) Drain and let stand until cool enough to handle. Trim both ends of the beets and rub off the skins. Cut into wedges.

While the beets are cooking, combine onion with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, thyme, salt and pepper in a small saucepan. Cover and cook over medium-low heat, stirring often, for 10 minutes. Uncover and continue cooking until the onion is very soft and caramelized, 8 to 10 minutes more. (If the onion begins to brown before it becomes very soft, add water 1 tablespoon at a time.) Remove from the heat, cover and let stand for 10 minutes.

Stir the onion, scraping up any browned bits. Set aside 1/4 cup and transfer the remaining onion to a food processor or blender. Add buttermilk, vinegar, mayonnaise and chives; puree until smooth.

Toss salad greens, the reserved 1/4 cup onion and the dressing in a large bowl. Divide among 6 plates. Top with the beets and prosciutto chips.

To Make Ahead: Cover and refrigerate cooked beets (Step 2) for up to 2 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Recipe Nutrition:

Per serving: 134 calories; 7 g fat (2 g sat, 3 g mono); 12 mg cholesterol; 13 g carbohydrate; 0 g added sugars; 6 g protein; 4 g fiber; 424 mg sodium; 601 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (71% daily value), Folate (51% dv), Vitamin C (43% dv), Potassium (17% dv).

1 Carbohydrate Serving(s)

Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 1 1/2 fat

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(EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life. Online at www.eatingwell.com.)