Mushroom Goat Cheese And Truffle Oil Panini Food

GOAT CHEESE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment.
• Add the goat cheese, sour cream and salt to the bowl of a food processor and process until smooth, about 30 seconds. Using a tablespoon, scoop out some of the mixture and roll it into a ball to form a truffle. Place on the prepared baking sheet and repeat until you have 24 truffles. Transfer to the freezer to firm up, about 10 minutes.
• Put the dill and sesame seeds into separate small bowls. Mix the walnuts and cherries in a third small bowl.
• Roll 8 of the cheese balls in the dill, 8 in the sesame seeds and 8 in the walnut and cherry mixture. Transfer the truffles to a serving platter. Insert a pretzel stick into each truffle. If making ahead of time, cover and refrigerate the balls without the pretzel sticks, then insert the sticks right before serving.

CHOCOLATE GOAT CHEESE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• In the top of a double boiler, or in a metal bowl set over a pot of simmering water (make sure the water does not touch the bowl), melt the chocolate, stirring until it is smooth. Set the melted chocolate aside to cool for a few minutes while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
• In a bowl whisk together the goat cheese, sugar, and vanilla until it is light and fluffy. Whisk in the melted chocolate until it is well combined. Chill, covered, until it is firm, at least 1 hour.
• To form the truffles, take a heaping teaspoon of the chocolate/cheese mixture and lightly roll it into a ball with your hands. Roll the finished truffles in the sifted cocoa powder, set them onto a baking sheet lined with waxed paper, and chill until they are firm, about 30 minutes. The truffles can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

SPINACH AND MUSHROOMS WITH TRUFFLE OIL

Steps:

• Melt butter in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms; sauté until brown and liquid evaporates, about 8 minutes. Add shallot; sauté 2 minutes.
• Add spinach, 1/3 at a time, to skillet with mushrooms and toss over medium-high heat, allowing each batch to wilt slightly before adding next, about 2 minutes per batch. Sauté just until all spinach is wilted and heated through. Stir in 1 teaspoon truffle oil. Season with salt, pepper, and more truffle oil, if desired. Transfer to bowl and serve.
• Sold at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores and Italian markets.