Date Goat Cheese And Mesclun Salad Recipes

DATE, GOAT CHEESE AND MESCLUN SALAD

Steps:

• Make vinaigrette:
• In a small bowl whisk together vinegar, soy sauce, pepper, and salt to taste and add oil in a stream, whisking until emulsified. Vinaigrette may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring vinaigrette to room temperature and whisk before proceeding.
• In a bowl toss mesclun with vinaigrette and divide among 8 salad plates. Top salad with dates and goat cheese.

CREAMY GOAT CHEESE, BACON AND DATE DIP

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl, stir together the goat cheese, cream cheese, lemon juice and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Transfer to a 1-quart baking dish or ovenproof skillet, and spread into an even layer. Bake until warmed through and bubbling, about 20 to 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a medium skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until golden and crisp, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, then add the dates to the bacon fat in the skillet, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the insides are warm and the outsides blister, about 1 minute.
• Top the baked cheese with the dates and bacon, and garnish as you wish. Serve at once.

CRISP GOAT-CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• Heat the broiler. Brush a baking sheet with oil; set aside. Place potatoes in a medium saucepan, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil. Simmer until fork-tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Rinse potatoes under cold water until cool enough to handle, and cut into 1-inch chunks.
• In a shallow bowl, whisk egg with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Place breadcrumbs in another shallow bowl. Slice goat cheese into 8 rounds, and pat each into a disc about 1/2 inch thick. Dip disks in the egg and then in the breadcrumbs, coating evenly. Place on prepared baking sheet.
• In a large bowl, whisk together vinegar, mustard, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Slowly add 1/4 cup oil, whisking to emulsify. Set aside.
• Brush disks lightly with remaining 1/4 cup oil, and broil until golden and crisp, about 5 minutes.
• Toss mesclun and potatoes in the dressing. Spoon salads onto plates, and top each with two cheese disks.

GOAT CHEESE STUFFED DATE SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Spread goat cheese inside each date half.
• Cook dates on preheated grill until dates begin to caramelize and goat cheese melts, about 5 minutes. Remove from grill and cut each date half into halves.
• Mix spinach, pear, onion, and tomatoes together on a plate or in a bowl; top with dates. Drizzle olive oil and vinegar over salad.

MESCLUN AND CHERRY SALAD WITH WARM GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Whisk first 5 ingredients in small bowl. Season dressing generously with salt and pepper.
• Spread almonds on plate. Whisk egg and 1 tablespoon water in small bowl; sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper. Turn goat cheese rounds in egg mixture, then coat with sliced almonds, covering all sides. Place on rimmed baking sheet. DO AHEAD: Dressing and goat cheese rounds can be made 4 hours ahead. Cover separately and chill. Bring dressing to room temperature and whisk before using.
• Bake goat cheese rounds until cheese is warm but not melted, about 10 minutes.
• Combine greens, cherries, and fennel in large bowl. Add dressing and toss to coat. Divide salad among 6 plates. Place 1 cheese round on each plate and serve.