A recipe is merely words on paper; a guideline, a starting point from which to improvise. It cannot pretend to replace the practiced hand and telling glance of a watchful cook. For that reason feel free to stir your own ideas into this dish. When you cook it once, it becomes yours, so personalize it a bit. Add more of an ingredient you like or less of something you don't like. Try substituting one ingredient for another. Remember words have no flavour; you have to add your own!
Directions for: Baby Greens with Warm Goats Cheese and Orange Sherry Vinaigrette
Ingredients
For the Goats Cheese8 oz goat cheese log
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 Tbsp flour
1 cup breadcrumbs
For the Vinaigrette2 Tbsp sherry vinegar
2 Tbsp marmalade
4 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp chopped fresh thyme
Salt to taste
To Finish4 handful of mixed baby greens
1 cup of walnut pieces
Edible flowers for garnish
Directions
For the Goats Cheese1. Slice goat cheese into four discs. Set up a standard breading station by pouring the flour into one bowl, the eggs into a second and the breadcrumbs into a third.
2. To keep your hands from becoming breaded use one hand to handle the cheese discs while they are dry and the other hand while they are wet. Dredge the cheese in the flour first then shake off any excess before adding to the egg. Coat well with the egg, drain well then toss into the breadcrumbs. Coat well, then rest. It is best to bread all the cheese once than go back and bread them all again. A few minutes rest in between coats will help the bread crumbs adhere. Refrigerate until you are ready to serve.
For the Vinaigrette1. Place the vinegar, marmalade, olive oil, thyme and salt into a small jar and shake until emulsified and smooth.
To Finish1. When you are ready to serve preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
2. Place the goats cheese discs on a baking pan and bake until the coating is crisp and golden, about ten minutes. Meanwhile put greens and walnuts in a large salad bowl and drizzle with dressing. Toss well and mound onto a serving platter. Nestle goat cheese into the greens and garnish with some more walnut halves and even edible flowers.
See more: Eggs/Dairy, North American, Salad, Bake, Cheese, Vegetables, Valentine's Day