Blue Cheese Risotto And Toast Points Topped With Roasted Garlic Caramelized Onions And Goat Cheese Recipes

"BEAT THE BLUES" BLUE CHEESE RISOTTO

Steps:

• NB: I like to use a fairly strong flavoured, but creamy blue cheese, like Gorgonzola, but Stilton is also nice. Stock-wise, you may need a little more or less than in the ingredients list.
• Bring stock up to a simmer.
• Halve the leeks and remove any gritty bits from inside the rings. Cut the leek into fine strips rather than semi-circles, of approx 1-2 inches in length.
• Melt half the butter with the olive oil and cook the leeks for approx 10 minutes over a low-medium heat until soft and tinged with brown.
• Add bacon to pan and cook for about 5 minutes.
• Stir in garlic and rice, cook for a further minute or two, stirring the rice until it's coated in the butter and oil and starts to go slightly translucent.
• Add the wine to the pan, turning up the heat to bubble most of it away.
• Add a ladleful of hot stock to the leek and rice mixture at a time, stirring more or less constantly. Add more stock each time that most of the liquid has been absorbed. Add the fresh sage.
• Keep doing this for approximately 15 - 25 minutes, until the risotto is creamy, but the rice grains still have a slight bite. You'll need to start testing the rice after about 15 minutes, but it may take a little longer.
• Turn off the heat.
• Stir in the lemon juice, zest, remaining butter, parmesan and blue cheese.
• Leave the risotto for another 2 minutes until rich, creamy and luscious. Season to taste with black pepper and salt if needed.

CHEESE OMELET WITH ROASTED TOMATOES AND ONIONS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Brush a baking dish with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Season the tomatoes and onion rounds with salt and pepper and add to the dish, cut-side up. Mix the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil with the panko and sprinkle over the tomatoes and onion. Bake until tender and golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Whisk the eggs, milk and herbs in a bowl; season with salt and pepper. Heat a small nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon butter, swirling to coat. When the foam subsides, add one-quarter of the egg mixture. Cook 10 seconds, then move a rubber spatula around the edge of the pan until the mixture is just set, about 1 minute. Scatter one-quarter of the cheese down the center, then fold the omelet in half. Cook about 30 more seconds, or to desired doneness. Transfer to a plate. Repeat to make 3 more omelets. Serve with the roasted tomatoes and onions.
• Per serving: Calories 507; Fat 35 g (Saturated 13 g); Cholesterol 579 mg; Sodium 310 mg; Carbohydrate 19 g; Fiber 2 g; Protein 27g

GRILLED STEAK WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS, BLUE CHEESE, WILD MUSHROOM RELISH AND ROASTED RED PEPPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine oil, garlic, chiles, and lime zest in a large shallow baking dish. Add steak and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Preheat grill or grill pan over high heat. Remove steak from marinade, season with salt and pepper and grill for 2 to 3 minutes on either side until golden brown and cooked to medium-rare doneness. Let rest 5 minutes and slice on the bias into 1/2 inch thick slices. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Place 8 tortillas on a flat work surface. Top each tortilla with 2 ounces of the cheddar. Divide the onions and steak over the cheese. Crumble 1 ounce of the blue cheese on top of the steak. Stack the tortillas to make 4 (2-layer) quesadillas and top each with the remaining tortillas. Brush the tops with olive oil and sprinkle with about 1/2 teaspoon of ancho chile powder. Carefully transfer the quesadillas to a baking sheet and bake in the oven until golden brown and the cheese has melted, about 5 to 7 minutes. Serve each with a large dollop of the Mushroom Relish on top and garnish with chopped cilantro and Roasted Red Pepper Sauce.
• For the grilled onions: Heat oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the onions, season with salt and pepper and cook until soft and caramelized, about 25 to 30 minutes. For the wild mushroom relish: Heat oil in a large saute pan over high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook until golden brown. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the wine and cook until completely reduced. Stir in the vinegar, thyme and parsley and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Place peppers, onion, chipotle, lime juice and honey in a blender and blend until smooth. With the motor running, slowly add the oil and blend until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

CARAMELIZED ONION AND GOAT CHEESE CROSTINI

Steps:

• In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Stir in onions; cook uncovered 10 minutes, stirring every 3 to 4 minutes.
• Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in salt, brown sugar, and vinegar. Cook 30 to 35 minutes longer, stirring every 5 minutes, until onions are deep golden brown (onions will shrink during cooking). Cool slightly.
• Heat oven to 325°F. Place bread slices on ungreased cookie sheet; spray lightly with non-stick cooking spray. Bake 6 to 9 minutes or until crispy.
• Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine goat cheese and cream cheese; blending until smooth; set aside.
• Place 1 teaspoon caramelized onions onto each bread slice; top with 1 rounded teaspoon cheese mixture. Sprinkle with herbs.