Goat Cheese Gnocchi With Bacon Dates And Kentucky Wine Sauce Food

CREAMY GOAT CHEESE, BACON AND DATE DIP

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl, stir together the goat cheese, cream cheese, lemon juice and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Transfer to a 1-quart baking dish or ovenproof skillet, and spread into an even layer. Bake until warmed through and bubbling, about 20 to 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a medium skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until golden and crisp, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, then add the dates to the bacon fat in the skillet, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the insides are warm and the outsides blister, about 1 minute.
• Top the baked cheese with the dates and bacon, and garnish as you wish. Serve at once.

GNOCCHI WITH ROASTED SQUASH & GOAT'S CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Tip the squash into a roasting tin with the garlic and oil, salt and pepper and mix well. Roast for 20 mins, shaking the pan halfway through, until tender and golden.
• Meanwhile, boil the gnocchi according to pack instructions. With a few secs to go, throw in the spinach, then drain the gnocchi and spinach together. Tip into the roasting tin, then mix everything together well, mashing the softened garlic. Spoon onto warm serving plates, then crumble over the cheese to serve.

GOAT CHEESE GNOCCHI WITH CARAMELIZED ONION AND THYME

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine goat cheese, eggs and a generous pinch of salt. Beat with a stiff whisk until mixture is smooth. Begin by adding 1/2 cup of flour, and gently kneading in. Continue adding flour a tablespoon at a time, up to a full cup, until there is the first sign of a malleable nonsticky mass of dough. Do not add too much flour or overknead; dough should be soft, airy and very light. Cover dough, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• While dough is being chilled, prepare caramelized onions. In a large skillet over medium-low heat, melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Add onions and stir until coated. Allow to cook gently, stirring occasionally, until onions are very soft and beginning to brown, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat, and set aside at room temperature.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Set aside a large bowl of ice water. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a rectangle 1/2 inch thick. Using a long knife, cut into 1/2-inch-by-1-inch pieces. To shape gnocchi, dust each piece with flour and roll on the back of a fork to make a rounded oblong lightly scored by the tines of the fork. Place on a floured tray, and continue until all dough is used. Boil gnocchi immediately until they are fluffy and firm, 2 to 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to the ice water bath. As soon as gnocchi are cool, drain and set aside.
• Place a large pan over medium-low heat, and add vegetable stock, thyme and gnocchi. Sauté gently until hot, and add Plugra. When butter has melted, add spinach and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and toss gently. Transfer to a large serving platter, and top with a mound of the reserved caramelized onions. Serve immediately.