Toasted Goat Cheese Food

BAKED GOAT CHEESE DIP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Combine the goat cheese, cream cheese, parmesan and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a food processor and season with pepper; puree until smooth. Brush a 1-quart baking dish with olive oil, then spread the cheese mixture in the dish, mounding it slightly higher around the edge than in the middle. Bake until golden and heated through, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine the tomatoes, chives, vinegar, garlic, the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Spoon the tomato mixture on top of the dip. Serve with baguette slices.

GOAT CHEESE GRILLED CHEESE WITH HONEY AND RED PEPPER FLAKES

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large saucepan on medium low heat WITH the red pepper flakes. This allows the butter to be infused with the spice from the flakes. Allow to cook for about five minutes, careful not to let it burn.Carefully transfer the melted butter to a small bowl. Set aside the pan for the grilled cheese - don't wash it!Use a pastry brush or the back of a spoon to spread the butter on ONE side of BOTH slices of bread (you likely won't use all of this butter*).
• Heat the pan again over medium heat. Arrange one slice of bread buttered-side down on the pan.Add the crumbled goat cheese** and shredded cheese** to the bread, and drizzle one tablespoon of honey overtop. Top this with the other piece of buttered bread, buttered side out to form the sandwich.
• Cover with a lid to help the cheese melt. Cook until the bottom of each slice of bread is toasted and golden brown and the cheese is melted, likely 5-7 minutes.When done, drizzle the top of the sandwich with another tablespoon of honey. If some of your red pepper flakes stayed in the pan and not the sandwich, you can sprinkle more on before serving. Slice, serve, and enjoy!

ROASTED CHERRY TOMATOES WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375ºF/180ºC degrees.
• Place cherry tomatoes in an oven-proof shallow pan.
• Drizzle olive oil and roast for about 15 minutes until tomatoes are soft.
• Transfer the tomatoes to a bowl. Add balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper and toss gently. You can refrigerate it at this point if serving it chilled.
• Transfer to a plate and top with goat cheese and basil leaves.
• Infuse love and serve!

GOAT CHEESE TOASTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Arrange the bread slices on 2 heavy large baking sheets. Brush olive oil over the bread slices. Bake until the crostini are pale golden and crisp, about 15 minutes.
• Blend the goat cheese and cream cheese in a food processor until smooth and creamy. Add the parsley, thyme, and lemon peel. Using the on/off button, pulse just to blend. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Spread the cheese mixture over the crostini. Sprinkle with the olives, chives, and more pepper. Arrange the toasts on a platter and serve.
• Do-Ahead Tip: The crostini and cheese mixture can each be prepared 2 days ahead. Store the crostini in an airtight container at room temperature. Cover and refrigerate the cheese mixture. Let the cheese mixture stand at room temperature for 1 hour to soften slightly before spreading over the crostini.

FIG AND GOAT CHEESE TOASTS

Steps:

• Toast the bread in a toaster and while it is still warm, spread the fig spread on each slice to cover it entirely. Place the cheese in a bowl and heat in the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds, until it's creamy and spreadable. Spread a layer of the cheese on the fig spread, leaving the edges of the fig spread visible. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Cut each toast crosswise to make appetizers that will be easy to eat. Place a fig slice on each piece, top with a few microgreens, and drizzle lightly with the balsamic vinegar. Serve at room temperature.

GRILLED GOAT'S CHEESE WITH CRANBERRY DRESSING

Steps:

• Quarter, core, then thinly slice the apple into a bowl with the lemon juice and 1 tbsp water. Toss well, as this stops the apples going brown.
• Heat grill to high, then line your grill rack with foil. Put the cheeses rind-side down on the foil, then set aside for a moment.
• Drain 2 tbsp of the juice from the apple bowl into another small bowl and discard the rest. Add the cranberry sauce, oil and honey with some seasoning, and whisk to form a dressing. Grill the cheeses for 4 mins, then scatter the nuts on and around the cheeses and return to the grill to cook for a few mins more - but take care that the nuts don't burn.
• Arrange the apple, chicory and radish sprouts or watercress on 6 plates, then carefully top with the hot melted cheese. Scatter over the nuts, spoon over the dressing and serve straight away.

INSPIRATIONAL GOAT'S CHEESE ON GARLIC CIABATTA TOAST

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.
• Arrange the whole heads of garlic snugly in an oven dish. Drizzle with olive oil and season with thyme, salt and freshly ground black pepper. Roast in the oven for about an hour, or until the garlic is softened.
• Squeeze the soft garlic out of its skins into a small dish or bowl. Add enough olive oil to make a thick paste and season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• Slice some goats' cheese thinly. Cut the ciabatta in half and place under the grill to toast then spread the slices with the garlic paste. Place the goats' cheese on top and pop under the grill again until the cheese has melted.
• Serve with on a bed of fresh, crisp lettuce leaves. I often add a couple of slices of prosciutto, too.

GOAT CHEESE TOASTS WITH WALNUTS, HONEY & THYME

Steps:

• Preheat the oven or toaster oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the toasts on a small rimmed baking sheet. Spread the toast slices evenly with the goat 1 cheese, and sprinkle with the walnuts, dividing them evenly. Drizzle 1/4 tsp of the walnut oil over each toast. Bake until the walnuts are toasted and the cheese is warm, about 5 minutes.
• Transfer the toasts to plates and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle each toast with honey, then sprinkle with the thyme leaves and serve.

BAREFOOT CONTESSA'S ROASTED PEPPER AND GOAT CHEESE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
• Place the whole peppers on a sheet pan and place in the oven for 30 to 40 minutes, until the skins are completely wrinkled and the peppers are charred, turning them twice during roasting. Remove the pan from the oven and immediately cover it tightly with aluminum foil. Set aside for 30 minutes, or until the peppers are cool enough to handle.
• Meanwhile, combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Remove the stem from each pepper and cut them in quarters. Remove the peels and seeds and place the peppers in a bowl along with any juices that have collected. Discard the stems, peels, and seeds. Pour the oil and vinegar mixture over the peppers. Stir in the capers. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours to allow the flavors to blend.
• To assemble the sandwiches, spread the bottom half of the loaf with the goat cheese. Add a layer of peppers and then a layer of basil leaves. Separate the onions into rings and spread out on top. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover with the top half of the ciabatta and cut into individual servings.