Whipped Goat Cheese Food

WHIPPED GOAT CHEESE CROSTINI WITH BALSAMIC-ROASTED GRAPES

Steps:

• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F. Grease a rimmed baking sheet with olive oil and set aside for the crostini.
• Toss together the grapes and the 2 tablespoons of the olive oil on another rimmed baking sheet; season with kosher salt and pepper. Top with the sprigs of thyme. Roast on the upper oven rack until the grapes blister, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk to combine the 1/4 cup olive oil with half of the chopped thyme, half of the garlic, a pinch of kosher salt and a few grinds pepper in a small bowl. Brush onto the tops of the baguette slices and place on the oiled baking sheet. While the grapes roast, bake the baguette slices on the lower oven rack for 5 minutes.
• Combine the goat cheese with the lemon zest, honey, remaining 1/2 teaspoon chopped thyme and grated garlic and a few grinds pepper in a food processor. Process until well combined, about 1 minute. Stream in the heavy cream with the machine running and process until the goat cheese is aerated and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning with kosher salt and pepper.
• Remove the grapes and bread from the oven and set the oven to broil. Flip the crostini. Remove and discard the sprigs of thyme from the grapes and carefully toss the grapes with the balsamic vinegar. Return the grapes to the upper oven rack and the crostini to the lower rack and broil until the grapes are caramelized and the bread is toasted, about 5 minutes -- watch closely, as broilers vary.
• To plate, spread the whipped goat cheese in a shallow bowl, top with the grapes and drizzle with any juices from the baking sheet. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt, thyme leaves and pepper. Place on a platter with the crostini and enjoy.

POLENTA HALF-MOONS WITH WHIPPED GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook's Note: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Arrange the pine nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake until lightly toasted, 6-8 minutes. Cool completely before using.
• For the polenta: Preheat the broiler. Bring 3 cups water and the salt to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in the polenta and continue to stir until the polenta is thick, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer the polenta to a sheet of parchment paper. Roll the polenta into a 2 1/2-diameter log. Refrigerate until cool, 30 minutes.
• Spray a heavy baking sheet with vegetable oil cooking spray. Slice the polenta into 1/8-inch-thick slices. Cut each slice of polenta in half to make half-moon shapes and arrange in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Brush with the olive oil and sprinkle with the Parmesan. Broil until the cheese is golden, 6 to 7 minutes. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
• For the goat cheese: Beat the goat cheese, cream, basil, salt and pepper in a medium bowl using an electric hand mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, 1 minute. Stir in the pine nuts.
• Using two spoons to measure, place 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon-size dollops of the goat cheese mixture on top of the polenta slices 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.

HONEY WHIPPED GOAT CHEESE WITH POMEGRANATE

Steps:

• In a medium bowl combine the goat cheese, cream cheese and honey. With a hand mixer, whip the ingredients together starting at low speed and increasing the speed to high. Mix until smooth and fluffy. You may also do this in a standup mixer.
• Transfer the whipped goat cheese to a serving bowl or platter. Top with pomegranate seeds and pecans. Garnish with fresh herbs and drizzle with a little honey.
• Serve with your favorite crackers or on top of slices of a french baguette.

CRANBERRY CROSTINI WITH WHIPPED GOAT CHEESE WITH THYME

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 450°F.
• Slice your baguette into even slices no bigger than ½" thick and brush each side with olive oil.
• Place brushed slices onto a baking sheet and bake for 6-9 minutes until toasted.*
• Remove from the oven and allow to cool before adding the toppings (at least 5 minutes).
• While your crostini is toasting, make the whipped goat cheese with thyme by placing the goat cheese, cream cheese, salt, and thyme leaves into a food processor (or high power blender) and process until combined. Scrape down the sides of your food processor with a rubber scraper part way through to ensure all ingredients are getting incorporated.
• Spread an even layer of the whipped goat cheese mixture onto each cooled crostini toast.
• Top with a spoonful of homemade cranberry sauce and gently spread it across the goat cheese layer.
• Add a little sprig of fresh thyme, or additional thyme leaves, for garnish if desired.
• Place assembled crostini on a serving platter, eat, and enjoy!