Marinated Goat Cheese And Walnuts Meets Green Beans Food

BEANS AND GREENS BRUSCHETTA WITH BROILED GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Arrange the bread slices in a single layer on a baking sheet and drizzle with the olive oil. Transfer to the oven and toast until just crisp, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
• Preheat the broiler; position a rack in top third of the oven.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli rabe and cook until al dente, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain and rinse with cool water.
• Transfer the broccoli rabe to a food processor and add cannellini beans, garlic, shallot, oregano, and salt and pepper to taste. Pulse to roughly chop. Transfer to a bowl, add 2 to 4 tablespoons of the goat cheese, and bind together with hands.
• Top each piece of toast with a heaping tablespoon of the beans-and-greens mixture and then with about 2 tablespoons of the remaining goat cheese. Broil until the cheese is golden, about 2 minutes. Serve warm.

BEET AND MARINATED GOAT CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• For the dressing: Combine the oil, vinegar, apple juice, thyme, pepper, salt and garlic in a small bowl and whisk to blend. Season with additional salt and pepper.
• For the salad: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place the goat cheese in a medium bowl. Drizzle with just enough dressing to moisten. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Wrap each beet in foil. Place the beets directly onto the oven rack and roast until tender, about 50 minutes. Eight minutes before the beets are tender, place the green beans in a pie dish. Add the oil and a pinch each salt and pepper and toss to coat. Roast the green beans alongside the beets until crisp-tender, about 8 minutes. Remove the foil from the beets and set aside until cool enough to handle. Cut each beet into 6 to 8 wedges.
• Combine the lettuces in a large bowl. Add the green beans and apple slices and top with the beet wedges. Sprinkle the goat cheese on top. Just before serving, pour the dressing over the salad and toss until coated.

ROASTED-BEET SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400. Wash the beets, and while they are still wet, wrap them individually in foil. Put them on a rimmed baking sheet and cook, undisturbed, until you can pierce them easily with a thin-bladed knife, 60 to 90 minutes. Once the beets have cooled, peel them (I like to rub the skin off under running water), and cut them into chunks.
• Put the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat and cook, shaking the pan frequently, until fragrant and beginning to darken, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Rinse and dry the greens and put them in a large bowl; add the walnuts. Combine the oil, vinegar, shallot and Dijon in a jar with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Screw the lid on tightly and shake vigorously until the dressing becomes thick and creamy. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
• Pour some of the dressing onto the greens and toss to coat; pile the greens on 4 plates. Put the beets in the bowl, toss with some of the dressing and arrange them on top of or around the greens. Crumble the goat cheese on top, and serve.

MARINATED BEET SALAD WITH WHIPPED GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Prepare the beets: Place a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 400 degrees. Place a sheet pan underneath to catch any drips from the beets.
• Trim the greens, tops and stems from the beets. Wash thoroughly and wrap in aluminum foil packages, about 4 beets per package. Place the packages directly on the oven rack and bake until beets are easily pierced by a fork or knife, 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on size. (No need to unwrap the beets to test them.)
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine shallots, oil, vinegar and a lavish sprinkling of salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Remove beets from oven and carefully open packages to let the steam escape. Let cool at least 20 minutes, or up to 4 hours.
• Unwrap beets and use a peeler or your fingers to remove any tough skin. Dice beets neatly into bite-size pieces. Add to bowl with shallot mixture, mix well and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours. Stir occasionally.
• Meanwhile, in a toaster oven or 350-degree oven, toast nuts until golden, about 5 minutes. If unsalted, sprinkle with salt. Let cool, then coarsely chop.
• Prepare the goat cheese: In a bowl, mix or whisk all ingredients together until smooth. Keep whipping until cheese is fluffy and soft. Taste and season with additional vinegar and salt. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• To serve, pile beets on a serving platter or individual plates. Spoon remaining dressing over the top. Spoon dollops of goat cheese mixture on and around the beets, then tuck in herbs and/or greens. Sprinkle with nuts and serve immediately.

SIMPLY ELEGANT GREEN BEANS

Steps:

• Steam green beans in boiling water until crisp-tender (4-6 minutes).
• Drain and set aside.
• Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat, add walnuts, and toast in oil for about 3 minutes.
• Add green beans, salt and pepper.
• Sauté for about 3 more minutes.
• Add balsamic vinegar, toss with beans and walnuts to thoroughly coat.
• Remove from heat.
• Sprinkle with crumbled goat cheese, toss lightly and transfer to serving dish.