Griddled Baby Gems With Balsamic Goats Cheese Food

BALSAMIC-GOAT CHEESE GRILLED PLUMS

Steps:

• For glaze, in a small saucepan, combine vinegar and lemon zest; bring to a boil. Cook 10-12 minutes or until mixture is thickened and reduced to about 1/3 cup (do not overcook)., Grill plums, covered, over medium heat 2-3 minutes on each side or until tender. Drizzle with glaze; top with cheese.

GRIDDLED BABY GEMS WITH BALSAMIC & GOAT'S CHEESE

Steps:

• Put the lettuce in a bowl, drizzle with a little of the olive oil, then season. Place a griddle pan on a high heat. Griddle the lettuce for 30 secs-1 min per side or until slightly charred. Remove to a plate. Combine the balsamic vinegar and honey with some seasoning, then whisk in the remaining olive oil to make a dressing.
• Drizzle the dressing over the lettuce. Crumble the goat's cheese on top of the salad and sprinkle with the pomegranate seeds.

GRILLED POTATO AND GOAT CHEESE NAPOLEON WITH BALSAMIC-BASIL VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a pot of salted cold water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender, but still firm, 12 to15 minutes. Drain and let cool before cutting each potato in 1/2-inch-thick slices.
• While the potatoes are cooking, combine the vinegar, garlic, mustard, basil and 1/2 cup of the oil in a blender and blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
• Heat your grill to medium.
• Brush the potato slices on both sides with the remaining 1/4 cup oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the potatoes on the grill, close the cover, and grill until lightly golden brown and just cooked through, about 2 minutes per side.
• Carefully transfer the potatoes to a flat surface. Make stacks by layering the following: 1 slice potato, 1 tablespoon goat cheese, 1 slice potato, 1 tablespoon goat cheese, 1 slice potato. Place the stacks back on the grill, close the cover, and grill until the cheese begins to melt, about 1 minute.
• Transfer the potatoes to a platter, drizzle some of the vinaigrette on and around the potatoes, and sprinkle with the chives.

GRILLED VEGETABLE SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Cut out the pepper stems and then slice each lengthwise along the ribs or ridges into 3 or 4 large triangular wedges. Trim the stem and blossom ends from the zucchini and squash and cut them lengthwise into thin slices. Trim the eggplant and cut crosswise into 12 slices 1/4 to 3/8-inch thick. Peel the onion and cut into 1/4-inch slices.
• Trim the portobello mushroom stem even with the cap so it will lie flat on the grill. Brush all over with 1/2 tablespoon of the Rosemary Garlic Oil. Set aside.
• Set a cast iron grill pan over high heat and coat with vegetable cooking spray. Let it warm up for 3 to 5 minutes (or light your outdoor grill). Using a pastry brush, coat the zucchini, squash, eggplant, and red onion slices with about 2 1/2 tablespoons of the remaining oil; it will be a very thin film, but it should be enough. The peppers do not need any. Grill the vegetables, except the onion in batches as necessary, on each side, rotating them 45 degrees to make cross-hatch grill marks. They should be cooked until they are nicely browned, but not charred, cooked through but still hold their texture. The peppers will have black marks on the outside, but they are eaten with their skin and bright color intact. Grill the mushroom stem side down first, so when it is turned and finishes cooking, the juices will be retained. Reduce the heat to medium high and grill the onion, turning and rotating as described, until tender and browned but not burned. Here are the approximate cooking times, which will vary with your grill: Peppers - 6 to 7 minutes per side Zucchini and squash - 2 to 3 minutes on first side, 2 minutes on second Eggplant - 4 to 6 minutes per side Red Onion - 3 to 4 minutes per side Portobello - 5 to 6 minutes per side As the vegetables are cooked, transfer them to plates or a large baking sheet lined with wax paper. Transfer the portobello to a cutting board and let cool for at least 5 minutes; then slice. Be sure to reserve any mushroom juices. Season the grilled vegetables and mushroom lightly with salt and pepper.
• Line a large round or oval serving platter with the arugula. Arrange the grilled vegetables decoratively in bunches around the edge of the platter. Pile up the pepper wedges in the center.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar and lemon juice with the remaining Garlic Rosemary Oil. Mix in any reserved mushroom juices. Drizzle evenly over the salad. Crumble goat cheese on top. Serve at room temperature.
• Combine all the ingredients in a small glass jar with a lid. Let stand at room temperature at least 15 minutes, preferably 1 hour. If not using within several hours, cover and refrigerate for up to a week.;

BALSAMIC HERBED MARINADE FOR GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Mix vinegar, lemon juice, orange juice, lemon peel, garlic, basil, rosemary, and oregano in medium bowl.
• Gradually whisk in oil.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Pour mixture into glass baking dish or a pickling jar.
• Add goat cheese; turn to coat.
• Refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to 2 days, turning occasionally.
• Transfer goat cheese to platter.
• Spoon marinade over.
• Top with sun dried tomatoes and or black olives.