Cherry Compote Over Goat Cheese Food

EASY CHERRY COMPOTE

Steps:

• Put the cherries into a wide, deep frying pan, add 150ml water, then bring to the boil. Cook for 15 mins, stirring now and again until the fruit is starting to soften. Tip in the sugar, stir until it dissolves, add the lemon juice and brandy, then bring back to the boil.
• Cook for 15 mins until the fruit has collapsed a little and the sauce is syrupy, smooth and dark purple. Spoon a little of the juice onto a saucer and leave to cool for 30 secs. Push it with your finger; it's ready if the syrup wrinkles. Ladle into sterilised jars (see tip, below) and seal.

MACARONI & GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boil.
• Add the macaroni and cook about 8 to 10 minutes, or until just tender, depending on the size of the pasta. Drain.
• Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. When the butter is melted and sizzling, stir in the flour to create a paste and cook 1 minute.
• Slowly add the milk, whisking to create a smooth sauce. Let cook about 5 minutes or until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
• Remove the pan from the heat and slowly add the grated Parmesan and the goat cheese, whisking to create a smooth sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Use the olive oil to grease the bottom of a medium size gratin or baking dish, about 8 to 10 inches long.
• Place the drained macaroni in the dish and pour the cheese sauce on top, stirring gently to coat all the macaroni.
• In a small bowl, make the topping. Mix the Parmesan, breadcrumbs, thyme, and pepper. Spoon over the macaroni and top with the goat cheese.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling and the pasta is hot.

GOAT CHEESE ICE CREAM WITH ROASTED RED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Prep
• Mix about 2 tablespoons of the milk with the cornstarch in a small bowl to make a smooth slurry. Whisk the goat cheese, cream cheese, and salt in a medium bowl until smooth. Fill a large bowl with ice and water.
• Cook
• Combine the remaining milk, the cream, sugar, and corn syrup in a 4-quart saucepan, bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, and boil for 4 minutes. Remove from the heat, and gradually whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Bring the mixture back to a boil over medium-high heat and cook, stirring with a rubber spatula, until slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat.
• Chill
• Gradually whisk the hot milk mixture into the cream cheese mixture until smooth. Pour the mixture into a 1-gallon Ziploc freezer bag and submerge the sealed bag in the ice bath. Let stand, adding more ice as necessary, until cold, about 30 minutes.
• Freeze
• Pour the ice cream base into the frozen canister and spin until thick and creamy. Pack the ice cream into a storage container, alternating it with layers of the cherries and ending with a spoonful of cherries; do not mix. Press a sheet of parchment directly against the surface, and seal with an airtight lid. Freeze in the coldest part of your freezer until firm, at least 4 hours.

MAPLE CUPCAKES WITH CHERRY COMPOTE AND GOAT CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a cupcake or muffin pan with 24 regular cupcake liners.
• In a bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt together. Set the bowl aside.
• In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, cream the butter until light and fluffy. Add in the maple syrup and combine. Add in the eggs one at a time, mixing between each addition. Then add the vanilla and combine. Alternate adding the flour mixture and the milk to the mixer. Mix until just combined.
• Fill the cupcake liners three-quarters full. Bake until cooked through, 16 to 18 minutes. Cool the cupcakes completely.
• To assemble: Fill cupcakes with the cooled Cherry Compote. Top with the Goat Cheese Cream Cheese Frosting.
• In a pan, heat the cherries, agave nectar, cornstarch, salt and 1/4 cup water. Whisk until combined and there are no clumps of cornstarch. Heat over medium-high heat until the compote begins to boil, and then bring to a simmer. Cook until you reach the desired thickness, 15 to 20 minutes. Place in a bowl to cool.
• In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter, cream cheese, goat cheese and salt until smooth and fluffy. Add in the powdered sugar, a little at a time, and beat until achieved desired consistency. Add to a piping bag fitted with desired tip.

CHERRY COMPOTE OVER GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook cherries and sugar over medium-high heat in a skillet, stirring occasionally, for approx 4 minutes.
• Sprinkle in vinegar and thyme and cook 1 more minute.
• Slice goat cheese into 4 rounds, top each with warm compote.
• Note: Compote may be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 3 days.