Goat Cheese Egg Rolls Food

GOAT CHEESE BALLS

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet or plate that will fit in your freezer with parchment paper (and clear out some space in your freezer to hold it).
• Place the goat cheese and cranberries in a mixing bowl. With a sturdy spoon, break up the goat cheese and stir it together with the cranberries. Continue to stir and "smush" the cheese, until the cranberries are fairly evenly distributed (it doesn't need to be perfect or hold together at this point).
• Portion the goat cheese mixture and roll into 18 balls, distributing the cranberries evenly. (To get 18, I find it easiest to divide the mixture into 3 portions, divide each of those portions in half, then divide each half into 3). The balls will be about 1 1/4 inches or so each. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
• Place the pecans in a food processor and pulse until they are finely ground (don't over blend and turn them into pecan butter). Alternatively, you can place them in a thick ziptop bag and crush them with a rolling pin (or wine bottle).
• Transfer the ground pecans to a shallow bowl and stir together with the panko, salt, and thyme.
• In a separate medium bowl, thoroughly beat the egg.
• Working one or two at a time, roll a goat cheese ball first in the egg mixture, then the panko mixture. Lightly pat to adhere the crumbs to all sides. I find it easiest to use one hand as the "wet hand" (this is the one you use for the eggs) and one as the "dry" hand (for adhering the crumbs). Place the ball back on the parchment paper. Repeat with the remaining balls.
• Freeze the balls for 30 minutes to harden. After 30 minutes, they are ready to bake, or you can transfer them to a ziptop bag for longer freezer storage.
• When you are ready to bake, place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 470 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the goat cheese balls on top.
• Bake the goat cheese balls until the crumbs are lightly golden and crisp, about 7 to 10 minutes depending upon your oven. Keep an eye on them as they cook to ensure the coating doesn't burn. If your oven doesn't bake evenly and you notice the ones in the pack browning before the ones in the front, rotate your pan 180 degrees F.
• With a thin, flexible spatula (or by lifting up the sheet of parchment-be careful, they roll!) immediately transfer the balls to a serving plate (if you leave them on the sheet, they will melt).
• Let cool 1 to 2 minutes, then drizzle with honey. Enjoy immediately!

CRISPY SALAMI AND CHEESE EGG ROLLS

Steps:

• Working one wrapper at a time, fold a piece of salami in half and place it diagonally on a wrapper. Top with a piece of string cheese and a pinch of oregano--the cheese ends should point in the direction of 2 opposite wonton corners. Brush the edges of the wrapper with beaten egg. Orient the wrapper in a diamond, with the cheese parallel to you. Pull one corner of the wrapper up and over the cheese. Tuck in the side corners and roll the wrapper up like a package, making sure the edges and corners are well sealed. Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling.
• Place the egg rolls on a plate and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
• Fill a Dutch with 2 inches of vegetable oil; fit with a deep-frying thermometer. Heat over medium heat until the oil reaches 350 degrees F.
• Fry the egg rolls in batches of 3 to 5 until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes, turning with a slotted spoon for even browning. Remove to a paper towel-lined tray to drain.
• Serve the egg rolls with warm marinara alongside, for dipping.

GOAT CHEESE WONTONS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the cheese, herbs, garlic, salt and pepper. Beat egg and water., Place 1 tablespoon cheese mixture in the center of a wonton wrapper. (Keep remaining wrappers covered with a damp paper towel until ready to use.) Fold bottom corner over filling. Fold sides toward center over filling. Moisten remaining corner with egg; roll up tightly to seal., In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375°. Fry wontons, a few at a time, for 30-60 seconds on each side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

HOMEMADE GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• In a large nonreactive saucepan, combine the goat's milk, buttermilk, and rennet. Heat over low heat until the mixture reaches a temperature of 180 degrees F. Transfer to a nonreactive bowl and allow to sit overnight, covered, until the curds and whey separate. Line a colander with several layers of cheesecloth and ladle the curds into the colander. Discard whey. Fold cheesecloth over top of curds and allow to drain overnight, refrigerated.
• Remove cheesecloth and season, to taste, with olive oil and salt and pepper, if desired.

GOAT CHEESE, LENTIL AND BROWN RICE ROLLS

Steps:

• Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a 9 by 13-inch glass baking dish. Set aside.
• Remove the thick stem from the center of each chard leaf. Cut each leaf in half lengthwise. Trim the ends from the leaves to make each leaf-half about 7 inches long and 5 inches wide. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the chard leaves and cook for 10 seconds. Remove the leaves and rinse with cold water. Drain on paper towels and set aside.
• For the filling: In a medium bowl, mix together the brown rice, arugula, goat cheese, lentils, mint, olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and garlic. Season with additional salt and pepper.
• Spoon 1/3 cup of the filling onto the end of each chard leaf and roll up like a jellyroll.
• Spoon 1 cup marinara sauce on the bottom of the prepared pan. Arrange the rolls, seam-side down, in a single layer on top of the sauce. Spoon the remaining sauce on top and sprinkle with the Parmesan. Drizzle with olive oil or dot the top with butter, if using, and bake until the cheese begins to brown and the rolls are heated through, about 25 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes and serve.

GOAT CHEESE, LENTIL AND BROWN RICE ROLLS

Steps:

• Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a 9 by 13-inch glass baking dish. Set aside. Remove the thick stem from the center of each chard leaf. Cut each leaf in half lengthwise. Trim the ends from the leaves to make each leaf-half about 7 inches long and 5 inches wide. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the chard leaves and cook for 10 seconds. Remove the leaves and rinse with cold water. Drain on paper towels and set aside. For the filling: In a medium bowl, mix together the brown rice, arugula, goat cheese, lentils, mint, olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and garlic. Season with additional salt and pepper. Spoon 1/3 cup of the filling onto the end of each chard leaf and roll up like a jellyroll. Spoon 1 cup marinara sauce on the bottom of the prepared pan. Arrange the rolls, seam-side down, in a single layer on top of the sauce. Spoon the remaining sauce on top and sprinkle with the Parmesan. Drizzle with olive oil or dot the top with butter, if using, and bake until the cheese begins to brown and the rolls are heated through, about 25 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes and serve.

SLOW-COOKED SCRAMBLED EGGS WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat a charcoal grill with coals. Spread them out in one dense layer.
• Whisk the eggs in a bowl with the milk, salt, and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large saute or omelet pan over the hot grill. Add the eggs and cook them until the desired doneness, stirring constantly. Off the grill, add the goat cheese, chives, and the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Stir and allow the eggs to sit for 30 seconds, until the cheese begins to melt. Check for seasonings. Serve hot.

POTATO, SPINACH AND GOAT CHEESE EGGROLLS WITH SUNDRIED TOMATO

Steps:

• Cook bacon, reserve 1 Tbls dripppings for dip, use the rest of the drippings to saute potatoes for about 5 minutes. Put potatoes, drained of excess grease, into a bowl. Stir in spinach, red peepper, bacon, onions, goat cheese, Greek Seasoning and salt. Let that cool while you mix together the dip. In a food processor, put the dip ingredients in and pulse, about 2 minutes, until you get a nice creamy mixture. Refrigerate until your ready to use.
• Heat oil to 350. While that is heating take out your wrappers. Take a wrapper, lightly wet the outer edges of wrapper with water so that the wrappers will stick together when rolled, and put 1/2 cup of potato mixture in it and roll according to the directions on the package. Put aside until all the eggrolls are filled. Fry eggrolls for approx 5 minutes or until golden brown. Let them drain and rest on a paper towel until all the eggrolls are cooked. Do not overcrowd eggrolls in the oil. I have a Fry Daddy and it usually fits 4 to 5 at a time. Serve cut on a diagonal with your dip.