Pecan Crusted Goat Cheese Salad Recipes

SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE, PEARS, CANDIED PECANS AND MAPLE-BALSAMIC DRESSING

Steps:

• Place greens in a large serving bowl (or divide among individual salad plates).
• Sprinkle pears, pecans, cherries, and goat cheese over top of greens.
• For dressing, whisk together balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, olive oil, mustard, and salt until emulsified.
• Dress salad just before serving, or pass the dressing at the table.

PECAN CRUSTED GOAT CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Slice goat cheese into 8 equal pieces. I like to cut the log in half, then cut each half in half, and so on until I have 8 slices.
• Add pecans, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano and a large pinch of salt and pepper to a food processor. Pulse until pecans are well minced and everything is combined. Transfer to a shallow bowl.
• Beat egg in a shallow bowl.
• Use hands to form slices of goat cheese into uniformly round pucks.
• Dip a slice into the egg mixture, allowing the excess to drip off.
• Then place it in the pecan mixture and use your other hand to move the slice around in the pecans, covering the entire surface with pecans. Gently push the pecans into the surface of the goat cheese. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining goat cheese slices.
• Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the pecans turn dark golden brown but do not burn. Check on them around the 6 minute mark to make sure the pecans aren't getting too brown.
• In a mason jar combine all dressing ingredients and shake vigorously until emulsified.
• Assemble each salad with a bed of lettuce, a handful of roasted beets, a sprinkle of diced onion.
• Place 1-2 goat cheese rounds on each salad.
• Pour dressing over the salad and enjoy!

HONEY PECAN & GOAT CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• In a shallow microwave-safe dish, combine pecans and 2 teaspoons honey; microwave, uncovered, on high 1-1/2 to 2 minutes or until toasted, stirring twice. Immediately transfer to waxed paper-lined baking sheet to cool. , For dressing, in a small bowl, whisk 1/3 cup oil, vinegar, remaining honey, salt and pepper; set aside., Place flour, egg and bread crumbs in separate shallow bowls. Shape cheese into eight balls; flatten slightly. Coat cheese with flour, then dip in egg and coat with bread crumbs. , Heat remaining oil in a large skillet over medium-hight heat. Fry cheese 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels., Divide salad greens among four plates; top with cheese. Drizzle with dressing and sprinkle with honey pecans.

PECAN CRUSTED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
• Lightly beat the eggs in a wide, shallow bowl or pie plate and set aside.
• In a food processor, pulse the pecans until they form fine crumbs (but don't over-process or they will turn into pecan butter). Place the mixture in a large, sturdy ziptop bag.
• To the bag, add the breadcrumbs, basil, salt, and pepper. Seal the top and shake to combine.
• Place the chicken on a cutting board and cover it with a large sheet of plastic wrap. With a meat tenderizer, rolling pin, or your fist, pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness. They need not be super thin-just flatten the middle so that the chicken is relatively flat and will bake more evenly.
• Working one chicken breast at a time, dip the chicken in the egg wash, then place in the ziptop bag and shake to coat with the pecan mixture. Gently press the pecan mixture so that it sticks to the chicken, then lay the chicken on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining chicken breasts.
• Drizzle the olive oil over the top of the chicken. Bake until the chicken reaches 160 to 165 degrees F on an instant read thermometer, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove to a plate and let rest 5 minutes. Chicken is considered cooked at 165 degrees F, but I like to remove mine several degrees early and let the carryover cooking to finish the rest (this ensures the chicken breast is juicy and does not overcook).
• While the chicken bakes, prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, stir together the Greek yogurt, both mustards, honey, salt, and cayenne. Taste and adjust the seasoning as desired.
• Enjoy the pecan crusted chicken hot, with the dipping sauce.

PECAN-CRUSTED GOAT CHEESE LOG

Steps:

• Warm the bourbon and water in a small saucepan, add the peaches, and set aside until plump, about 15 minutes.
• Put the toasted pecans and Cajun seasoning in a mini chopper and pulse until the nuts are finely ground but not pasty. Spread the nut mixture on a large plate. Roll the goat cheese in the mixture, pressing firmly to coat the whole log generously.
• Slice the cheese into rounds and arrange on a platter. Top with the chopped peaches and juices.