Winter Goat Cheese Salad Served With Apricot Dressing Recipes

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.

SALAD WITH WARM GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Slice the Montrachet into 12 (1/2-inch-thick) slices. (The easiest way to slice goat cheese is to use a length of dental floss.) Dip each slice into the beaten egg whites, then the bread crumbs, being sure the cheese is thoroughly coated. Place the slices on a rack and chill them for at least 15 minutes.
• For the dressing, place the vinegars, sugar, salt, pepper, and egg yolk in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade and blend for 1 minute. With the motor running, slowly pour the olive oil through the feed tube until the vinaigrette is thickened. Season, to taste.
• Toss the salad greens with enough dressing to moisten, then divide them among 6 plates.
• Melt 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a saute pan over medium-high heat until just under smoking. Cook the goat cheese rounds quickly on both sides until browned on the outside but not melted inside. Top each salad with 2 warm rounds and serve.

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.

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.

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.