Patrick Oconnell
Warm goat cheese salad is a classic French dish that can be found in every bistro in Paris. It is a versatile dish that can be adapted according to one's preferences. The goat cheese can be toasted or baked, and served with a variety of ingredients such as lettuce, thyme, breadcrumbs, croutons, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, honey dressing, mustard dressing, fresh figs, sun-dried tomatoes, marinated eggplants, and red pepper.
How to Toast Goat Cheese for Salad
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preheat | Preheat the broiler or oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Bread | Crisp whole wheat bread or any bread of your choice |
| Oil | Brush each side of the bread with olive oil |
| Seasoning | Minced garlic, salt, pepper, and herbes de Provence |
| Goat Cheese | Crumble or slice the goat cheese |
| Toppings | Tomatoes, thyme, breadcrumbs, pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, honey dressing, mustard dressing, fresh figs, sun-dried tomatoes, marinated eggplants, or red pepper |
| Cooking Time | Broil for 3 minutes or bake for 7-10 minutes until the bread is toasted and the goat cheese is melted |
| Salad | Toss salad greens with vinaigrette or a spicy dressing |
| Nutrition | 1027 Energy, 88 g Fat, 41 g Carbohydrates, 18 g Protein, 4 g Fiber |
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What You'll Learn
How to slice goat cheese
Slicing goat cheese can be a little tricky as it has a soft, creamy texture and can crumble easily. However, there are several techniques you can use to achieve clean cuts without the cheese falling apart.
Firstly, you can use a sharp and damp knife. Ensure your knife is sharp to make slicing easier, and dampen it with water to prevent the cheese from sticking to the blade and crumbling. You will need to re-wet the knife with each cut to keep it humid. Alternatively, you can heat the knife for a few seconds over a stove burner and slice through cold cheese. If your cheese does crumble, simply form it back into shape with your hands.
Another method is to use a piece of unflavoured dental floss. Wrap the floss around your fingers, hold it taut, and pull it downward through the cheese to create a clean slice. This technique is especially useful for soft goat cheese. Similarly, you can use a cheese harp, which is a tool fitted with a cheese-cutting wire that allows you to make thin and precise cuts.
If you want to cut perfect slices without investing in specialised tools, you can use a simple piece of thread or string. Cut a piece long enough to cover the edges of the cheese wheel, leaving a length at both ends, and then pull it through the cheese to slice it.
When slicing goat cheese, it is recommended to cut thin triangular portions from the centre down through the height of the cheese. This ensures that each slice has some of the soft, creamy centre as well as the more pronounced flavour of the rind. You can then cut parallel slices lengthwise from the tip or diagonally from the edge. Additionally, always serve the mildest cheeses before the stronger ones to prevent flavours from mingling as you continue slicing.
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How to coat goat cheese
Toasting goat cheese for a salad is a simple process that can elevate your dish. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to coat and toast goat cheese to perfection:
Preparing the Goat Cheese
Start by slicing or crumbling the goat cheese into portions that will comfortably fit on your chosen bread slices. If you want to get fancy, you can cut the goat cheese into 1/2-inch-thick slices using a length of dental floss, which some claim is the easiest way to get clean slices.
Coating the Goat Cheese
There are several ways to coat the goat cheese, depending on the texture and flavour profile you want to achieve:
- Breadcrumbs and Thyme: Roll the goat cheese slices in a mixture of breadcrumbs, thyme, and other seasonings of your choice. This method will give the cheese a crunchy texture and a savoury flavour.
- Egg Wash and Breadcrumbs: Dip the goat cheese slices in beaten egg whites, then coat them in breadcrumbs. This technique will create a crispy outer layer when toasted. Place the coated slices on a rack and chill for at least 15 minutes to help the coating set.
- Herbs and Spices: If you prefer a simpler approach, sprinkle herbs like herbes de Provence, thyme, or parsley directly onto the goat cheese. You can also experiment with spices like red pepper to add a kick to your salad.
Toasting the Goat Cheese
Once the goat cheese is coated, it's time to toast it:
- Preheat your oven, toaster oven, or broiler to a suitable temperature (around 450 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Prepare a baking sheet by laying out your chosen bread slices.
- Top each bread slice with the coated goat cheese. You can also add other ingredients like sliced tomatoes, pine nuts, or pumpkin seeds, depending on your preference.
- Drizzle olive oil over the bread and cheese, and season with salt and pepper, or other seasonings of your choice.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven and toast for 3-10 minutes, keeping a close eye on it to avoid burning. The ideal cooking time will depend on your desired level of melt and browning.
Serving the Salad
While the goat cheese toasts, you can prepare the salad base by tossing lettuce leaves or other greens with a vinaigrette dressing. Mound the dressed lettuce on plates and top each serving with two warm goat cheese toasts. For an extra indulgent touch, serve the salad with crunchy garlic croutons.
Feel free to experiment with different coatings and toppings to find your favourite combination. Enjoy your delicious and fancy goat cheese salad!
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How to toast goat cheese
Toasting goat cheese for a salad is a simple process, but there are a few different methods you can use. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to toast goat cheese for a salad:
Preparing the Goat Cheese
Start by slicing or crumbling the goat cheese into portions that will fit on your chosen bread. If you are using sliced bread, you may want to cut the goat cheese into rectangles or circles that will fit neatly onto the bread. You can also dip the goat cheese slices into beaten egg whites and then coat them with breadcrumbs before chilling them for 15 minutes. This will give the goat cheese a crispy exterior when toasted.
Preparing the Bread
The next step is to prepare the bread. You can use any type of bread you prefer, such as whole wheat bread or a baguette. Lightly brush each side of the bread slices with olive oil. You can also add some minced garlic to the bread for extra flavor.
Assembling the Toast
Now it's time to assemble the toast. Place the goat cheese on top of the bread slices. If you are using sliced tomatoes or other toppings, add them now. You can also sprinkle herbs, such as herbes de Provence, and other toppings like pine nuts on top of the goat cheese.
Toasting the Goat Cheese
Finally, it's time to toast the goat cheese. There are a few different methods you can use:
- Broiling: Place the assembled toast on a baking sheet and broil for about 3 minutes, or until the goat cheese is toasted and melted. Be careful not to let it burn.
- Baking: Preheat your oven or toaster oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the assembled toast on a baking sheet and bake for 7-10 minutes, or until the bread is toasted and the goat cheese is melted and slightly golden.
- Pan-frying: Melt some butter in a sauté pan over medium-high heat. Cook the goat cheese rounds quickly on both sides until browned but not melted inside.
Once the goat cheese is toasted, you can place it on top of your salad. Enjoy your warm, toasty goat cheese salad!
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How to assemble the salad
To assemble the salad, start by tossing your choice of lettuce leaves with a vinaigrette to lightly coat them. You can also add some pumpkin seeds or pine nuts for an extra crunch. Mound the dressed lettuce on a plate and top with the warm goat cheese rounds. You can bake or fry the goat cheese, or coat it with breadcrumbs and bake it for a crunchy texture.
If you want to include toast in your salad, slice your bread of choice and lightly brush each side with olive oil. You can also brush on some minced garlic. Add a layer of goat cheese and top with sliced tomatoes. Brush the tomatoes with olive oil and garlic, then bake until the bread is toasted and the goat cheese is melting. Place the toasts on top of the salad and serve immediately.
For a more creative twist, replace the honey dressing with a mustard dressing, or add fresh figs, sun-dried tomatoes, or marinated eggplants to your salad. You can also experiment with different types of lettuce leaves and vinaigrettes to find your favorite combination.
Remember, this salad is very versatile, so feel free to adapt the recipe to your liking and get creative with your ingredients!
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How to serve goat cheese salad
There are many ways to serve a goat cheese salad, and it can be an amazing tangy and savoury side dish to serve with a lot of other dishes. Here is one way to serve a goat cheese salad:
Ingredients:
- Goat cheese
- Bread crumbs
- Salt and pepper
- Egg
- Arugula
- Lebanese cucumbers
- Purple onions
- Grapes
- Cranberries
- Olive oil
- Lemon vinaigrette
- Poppy seeds
- Walnuts or candied pecans
Method:
Start by cutting the goat's cheese into 2cm-thick slices or rounds. If you have small goat's cheese, cut it in half horizontally to make two rounds. Dredge the goat's cheese slices in flour, followed by beaten egg, and then breadcrumbs. Set the slices aside and let them chill in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes.
Next, prepare the salad by combining arugula, Lebanese cucumbers, purple onions, grapes, and dried cranberries in a large bowl. Drizzle the dressing on top of the salad and toss everything together gently to thoroughly combine the ingredients.
Finally, heat a thin layer of butter or olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the breaded goat cheese slices and cook until golden brown and hot, about 1-2 minutes per side. Place the hot goat cheese slices on top of the salad and serve immediately.
You can also try sprinkling some additional poppy seeds, walnuts, or candied pecans on top of the salad, and adding a pinch of minced fresh thyme leaves to the crumb mixture for extra flavour.
Variations:
You can also serve goat cheese salad with toast. Start by crumbling or slicing the goat cheese and placing it on top of bread slices. Sprinkle with herbes de Provence, garnish with pine nuts, and drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, and broil for about 3 minutes, or until the cheese is toasted and melted. Arrange the salad greens on a plate, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Place the goat cheese toasts on top of the salad and serve.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to toast goat cheese for a salad. You can bake it in the oven, fry it, or grill it.
To bake goat cheese for a salad, first, preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice your bread, brush each side with olive oil, and add minced garlic. Then, add a layer of goat cheese and top with sliced tomato. Brush the tomatoes with olive oil and garlic, and bake for 7-10 minutes until the bread is toasted and the goat cheese is melting and slightly golden.
To fry goat cheese, first slice the goat cheese into 1/2-inch thick slices. Dip each slice into beaten egg whites, then into breadcrumbs. Place the slices on a rack and chill for at least 15 minutes. Melt butter and oil in a saute pan over medium-high heat and cook the goat cheese rounds quickly on both sides until browned but not melted inside.
To grill goat cheese for a salad, first, preheat your broiler. Crumble or slice the goat cheese. Lay the bread slices on a baking sheet and top each slice with goat cheese. Sprinkle herbs, pine nuts, and a drizzle of olive oil over the cheese, and season with salt and pepper. Broil for 3 minutes or until toasted and melted.
There are many popular salad recipes that use toasted goat cheese, including the baked goat cheese salad by Alice Waters, and the warm goat cheese salad with a spicy dressing by Del's Cooking Twist.
