Winter Goat Cheese Salad Served With Apricot Dressing Food

SPRING SALAD WITH CREAMY GOAT CHEESE DRESSING

Steps:

• Spiced Pecans:
• In a small bowl combine the paprika, ground coriander, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
• In a small saucepan over medium heat add the sugar and cook until all of the sugar is melted and light brown in color. Carefully whisk in the butter. Add the spice mix and turn off the heat. Add the pecans and stir with a rubber spatula until all of the pecans are completely coated. Spray with nonstick cooking spray which will help the pecans separate. Once all of the pecans are coated turn out onto a greased sheet tray or a sheet tray lined with a silicone mat. Break up any pieces that may be stuck together. Let cool 5 minutes before serving with the salad.
• In a medium bowl whisk together the goat cheese and buttermilk. Whisk in the remaining dressing ingredients until combined and smooth. Set aside.
• Heat the canola oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallots and fry until crispy and light brown, about 5 minutes. Remove to a plate lined with a paper towel to drain.
• Add the greens to a large bowl. Drizzle with 3/4 of the dressing, season with salt and pepper, to taste, and toss to coat the greens. Transfer the salad to a platter and garnish with candied pecans, sliced grapes, and fried shallots. Drizzle with remaining dressing and serve.

GOAT CHEESE AND SPINACH SALAD WITH WARM VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Several hours before serving, remove the Bucheron from the refrigerator (it should be very cold); pull off the skin that encircles the cheese.
• With a sharp knife, cut the Bucheron into 6 thin slices and place on a large plate.
• Cover with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature until ready to assemble the salad. (If the edges crumble a bit, don't worry--put the crumbled cheese aside with the slices.).
• Wash the spinach in a sink filled with cold water, pulling the stems off the leaves.
• Drain in a colander and dry thoroughly with paper towels.
• Tear the leaves into pieces and set aside in a salad bowl.
• Combine the shallot, mustard, basil, sugar, salt, pepper to taste, vinegar, and oil in a small bowl and reserve.
• When ready to serve, toss the spinach with 3 tablespoons of the vinaigrette--enough to barely coat the leaves.
• Arrange the spinach on 6 salad plates and arrange a slice of cheese on top of each bed of spinach.
• In a small saucepan, warm the remaining vinaigrette over moderate heat.
• As it comes just to a simmer, drizzle it in equal portions over the cheese and spinach.
• Serve immediately.

ARUGULA SALAD WITH GRILLED APRICOTS AND PISTACHIOS

Steps:

• Heat a griddle over a hot grill or burner, or preheat an indoor grill.
• Combine arugula, half the pistachios, and basil in a large bowl.
• Whisk together vinegars, salt and pepper, and 3 tablespoons of the olive oil.
• Cut apricots in half and remove pits. Brush cut side with remaining olive oil. Grill for about 2 minutes on the cut side, until seared but intact. Remove from the heat.
• Toss together arugula mixture, dressing and half the apricots. Arrange on a platter. Arrange the remaining apricots, goat cheese or feta and remaining pistachios over the top, and serve.

APRICOT SALAD DRESSING

Steps:

• Mix together first 5 ingredients.
• Whisk in olive oil and serve.

ROASTED BEETROOT & GOAT'S CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and put the beetroot in a roasting tin with 1 tbsp oil, 1 tbsp vinegar and plenty of seasoning. Roast for 8-10 mins until sticky. Meanwhile, bring a pan of salted water to the boil, add the green beans, cook for 1 min, then drain. Toss in with the beetroot and roast for a further 5 mins.
• Meanwhile, make the dressing by combining the remaining oil and vinegar in a small bowl, and season well. Put the mixed leaves and cucumber in a bowl and toss together with a little dressing.
• Dip both cheese halves in the chopped walnuts so the tops are covered, then pop in the roasting tin with the beetroot and green beans for a few mins, to soften and toast the nuts.
• Pile the salad onto plates and serve with the remaining dressing drizzled over the top.

APRICOTS WITH HERBED GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Place goat cheese, minced basil, chives and milk in a mini food processor; process until smooth. Arrange apricot slices on a serving platter. Drop goat cheese mixture by teaspoonfuls over top. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; drizzle with balsamic glaze. Garnish with additional basil leaves. Serve immediately.

BALSAMIC GOAT CHEESE SALAD DRESSING

Steps:

• Throw everything in the blender/food processor/hand-held immersion blender(mine has an attachment with a cup and lid, so I don't even need another container).
• Blend until everything is combined.
• Use right away or store in a jar in the fridge. You may need to give it a good shake just before using if you let it sit in the fridge for a few days.

WINTER GOAT CHEESE SALAD SERVED WITH APRICOT DRESSING

Steps:

• Directions for cutting salad are listed next to the ingredients.
• Preheat the oven to 350°. Spread the sliced almonds on a sheet pan and toast for 10 minutes, or until golden. Let cool.
• In a bowl, whisk the shallots, thyme, apricot jam, olive oil, and vinegar. In a large bowl, toss the spinach, endives, radicchio and almonds together. Pour the dressing over the greens and toss. Mound the salad on plates, arrange 2 rounds of goat cheese on top of salad. Sprinkle goat cheese with a little salt and peeper and serve.