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

CREAMY BLUE CHEESE RISOTTO

Steps:

• Cook and stir prosciutto in 1 tsp. of the oil in large skillet on medium heat until crispy. Remove prosciutto from skillet with slotted spoon; set aside. Add mushrooms, onions, garlic, rice and remaining 3 tsp. oil to skillet; stir until rice is evenly coated with oil. Cook until onions are tender, stirring occasionally.
• Add 1 cup of the broth, cooking and stirring constantly until broth is absorbed. Repeat with remaining broth, adding broth 1 cup at a time and cooking until rice is tender but firm.
• Stir in peas, Parmesan cheese and blue cheese; cook until cheeses are completely melted, stirring frequently. Spoon onto serving platter. Top with the prosciutto; sprinkle with parsley.

ROASTED CHICKEN WITH RISOTTO AND CARAMELIZED ONIONS

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the onions and saute for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the onions are a dark golden brown. Remove from heat, stir in the balsamic vinegar and set aside.
• Heat the remaining oil in a separate large skillet over medium heat. Stir in the rice and mix well. Let heat for about 2 minutes, then pour in the wine. Reduce heat to medium low and start pouring in the broth about 1 cup at a time. Add more broth as each cup is absorbed. Continue in this manner until all the broth is absorbed and the rice is al dente, about 20 minutes.
• Stir in the reserved onion mixture and allow to heat through. Remove from heat and stir in the butter and chicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and garnish each serving with fresh thyme.

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.

ROASTED GARLIC CHEESE TOASTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place garlic, cut side up, in small glass baking dish; pour oil over each head and sprinkle with salt. Cover; bake until garlic is tender, about 1 hour. Uncover; let cool 15 minutes. Squeeze garlic from each clove into medium bowl and mash. Mix in Parmesan, cream cheese, mayonnaise, and thyme. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made one day ahead; cover and refrigerate. Allow to soften slightly at room temperature before continuing.)
• Preheat oven temperature to 425°F. Spread garlic mixture on bread slices; arrange on 2 baking sheets. Bake until toasts are beginning to brown at edges, about 12 minutes.

BLUE CHEESE TOASTS

Steps:

• Preheat broiler. Mix cheese and butter in small bowl. Spread cheese mixture over bread rounds, dividing equally. Arrange rounds on baking sheet. Sprinkle each lightly with sugar. Broil until topping is just brown and cheese softens, about 1 minute. Transfer toasts to platter.

"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.