Warm Goat Cheese Food

WARM GOAT CHEESE IN PHYLLO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Unroll the sheets of phyllo dough on a flat surface and cover them with a slightly damp towel. (If the towel is too wet, the dough will get sticky.) Working quickly so the dough doesn't dry out, place one sheet of phyllo on a board, brush lightly with melted butter, and sprinkle lightly with bread crumbs. Place a second sheet of phyllo on top, brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Continue until you have 4 sheets stacked up. Cut the sheets in half crosswise to make 2 almost-squares.
• Cut one of the goat cheeses in half horizontally, making 2 thin discs. Place each disc in the center of one phyllo square. Starting at one corner, fold the phyllo up over the cheese and continue folding and pleating the phyllo around the cheese, as though you're wrapping a round gift that's tied on top. You will end with extra phyllo dough on top; twist the excess into a topknot. Brush the discs all over with melted butter and place on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Continue with the remaining phyllo dough and 2 goat cheese discs to make 4 additional packages.
• Bake for 20 minutes, until the phyllo is lightly browned. Allow to cool for 5 minutes.
• While the cheese packages bake, place the salad greens in a large bowl. Whisk the vinegar, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl. Still whisking, slowly add the olive oil, making an emulsion. Toss the salad greens with enough vinaigrette to moisten.
• Distribute the salad among 6 plates and place one warm goat cheese package in the center of each plate. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve.

SALAD WITH WARM GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Slice the Montrachet into 12 (1/2-inch-thick) slices. (The easiest way to slice goat cheese is to use a length of dental floss.) Dip each slice into the beaten egg whites, then the bread crumbs, being sure the cheese is thoroughly coated. Place the slices on a rack and chill them for at least 15 minutes.
• For the dressing, place the vinegars, sugar, salt, pepper, and egg yolk in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade and blend for 1 minute. With the motor running, slowly pour the olive oil through the feed tube until the vinaigrette is thickened. Season, to taste.
• Toss the salad greens with enough dressing to moisten, then divide them among 6 plates.
• Melt 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a saute pan over medium-high heat until just under smoking. Cook the goat cheese rounds quickly on both sides until browned on the outside but not melted inside. Top each salad with 2 warm rounds and serve.

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.

WARM GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Slice the goat cheese into 12 (1/2-inch-thick) slices. Dip each slice into the egg wash and then into the bread crumbs, being sure the cheese is thoroughly coated. Place the slices on a baking rack set on a sheet pan and chill for at least 15 minutes.
• Heat the oil and butter in a medium saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the goat cheese slices and cook on both sides until browned on the outside but not melted inside.

FRENCH BISTRO SALAD WITH WARM GOAT CHEESE CROUTES

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Cut goat cheese into 8 to 10 disks.
• Add panko or bread crumbs into a shallow bowl.
• Press goat cheese disks into panko. Flip disks to make sure both sides are completely covered and roll edges through panko as well.
• Set coated goat cheese on a baking tray. Place platter in freezer for 15 to 30 minutes. This allows the croutes to set prior to cooking.
• Tear lettuce into bite-size pieces, wash and dry lettuce , and set aside while goat cheese sets. If using herbs in addition to lettuce, wash, dry, and prepare them for salad.
• Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, and mustard in a large salad bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste and add clean lettuce to bowl.
• Heat vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add goat cheese rounds. Cook, without disturbing, until they're brown on one side. Flip and cook until they're brown on the second side. Remove from heat and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
• Toss salad gently to coat lettuce thoroughly with dressing. Divide salad between four salad plates. Top each salad with 2 or 3 goat cheese croutes and serve immediately.

WARM GOAT CHEESE DIP

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, melt butter at medium heat.
• Add shallots and cook, stirring from time to time, for 5 minutes or until it has soften.
• Add milk, red wine vinegar, sugar and cream cheese and stir.
• Cook, whisking with a whisk, until cheese has melted and mixture is homogeneous.
• Add goat cheese and reheat while stirring until mixture is creamy.
• Add chives, parsley and red hot pepper flakes and stir well.
• Pour the dip in a serving dish and garnish with black olives, if wanted.
• Serve now.

WARM GOAT CHEESE, BEET AND ARUGULA SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Preheat broiler.
• Whisk together vinegar, mustard, and salt and pepper to taste, then whisk in 2 tablespoons oil. Toss beets with vinaigrette.
• Arrange bread on a large baking sheet and brush tops with remaining tablespoon oil. Season with salt and pepper and broil 6 inches from heat 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, or until edges are golden. Remove 4 slices from oven. Turn remaining 4 slices over on baking sheet and spread thickly with goat cheese. Broil 1 minute more and transfer to plates. Top goat cheese with drained beets, onion, arugula, and remaining bread, toasted sides up.

WARM GOAT CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk vinegar with mustard. Slowly add oil in a steady stream, whisking constantly. Season with salt and pepper. Place greens in a large bowl.
• Meanwhile, heat broiler. Arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet; top each with a goat cheese round. Toast until bread is golden brown and cheese has started to melt, 2 to 3 minutes. Drizzle greens with vinaigrette; toss to combine. Divide among four plates. Place three toasts on each salad. Serve immediately.