Baked goat cheese that’s still warm garnishes apple salad with figs is a mighty good way to get in your greens. It’s the kind of salad that can make even salad naysayers fans and it takes a big nod from the cheeseboard.
Warm baked goat cheese salad, a French classic, can easily misfire, becoming nothing more than flavorless, oozing cheese melted onto limp greens. We wanted creamy cheese infused with the flavor of fresh herbs, surrounded by crisp, golden breading, all cradled in lightly dressed greens.
For cheese rounds with an exceptionally crisp crust, we found that white Melba toast crumbs beat out fresh bread crumbs and other cracker crumbs. Just like in the finest French bistros, we served our warm breaded goat cheese on hearty greens, lightly dressed with a classic vinaigrette.
Baked Goat Cheese Know-How
How do you keep goat cheese soft while baking it? The secret is to freeze it. Freezing the breaded goat cheese rounds for 30 minutes before baking them ensured a crunchy coating and a smooth—but not melted—interior. But first, a few other things happen. You’ll need to slice the goat cheese log into equal-size pieces. We suggest using dental floss or cheese wire. Then, roll each disk of cheese into a ball that you will then roll into a bowl of minced fresh thyme and chives.
Next, and working with 6 pieces at a time, dredge the goat cheese in egg that has been whisked with mustard. Finally, you’ll coat the goat cheese in melba toasts that has been pulverized into fine, even crumbs, pressing them into the crumbs so they adhere. Flatten each ball into a 1-inch thick disk and place them on a large plate. You will freeze them until firm, at least 30 minutes.
Want to work ahead for a special occasion meal or dinner party: the frozen disks intended to be baked goat cheese can be kept in the freezer for up to 1 week.
Salad Pointers
This recipe works equally well with Sun-Maid or Orchard Choice Mission or Golden Figs. Hearty salad greens, such as a mix of arugula and frisée, work best here. The baked goat cheese should be served warm. Prepare the apple salad components while the cheese is in the freezer, and then toss the greens and vinaigrette together while the cheese cools a bit after baking. Since the recipe makes 12 goat cheese rounds, you can serve the salad with 1 piece of goat cheese and keep the rest in the freezer for later use. Or, for a heartier salad, serve with 2 pieces of cheese.
Herbed Baked Goat Cheese on Apple Salad with California Figs
Ingredients
Goat Cheese:
- 3 ounces white Melba toasts
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
- 12 ounces firm goat cheese
- Extra-virgin olive oil
Salad:
- 1 cup Orchard Choice or Sun-Maid California Figs stemmed and quartered
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon minced shallot
- Salt and pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 14 ounces mixed hearty salad greens
- 2 Granny Smith apples cored, quartered, and sliced 1/8 inch thick
- 1/2 cup walnuts toasted and chopped
Instructions
- For the Goat Cheese. Process Melba toasts in food processor to fine, even crumbs, about 1 1/2 minutes; transfer to medium bowl and stir in pepper. In separate medium bowl, whisk eggs and mustard together. In third medium bowl, combine thyme and chives.
- Using cheese wire or dental floss, slice cheese into 12 equal-size pieces. Roll each piece of cheese into ball, then roll in herbs to coat lightly. Working with 6 pieces at a time, roll in egg mixture, then coat with crumbs, pressing to help coating adhere. Flatten each ball into 1-inch-thick disk and lay on large plate. Freeze cheese until firm, at least 30 minutes. (Breaded goat cheese can be kept in freezer for up to 1 week.)
- For the Salad: Soak dried figs in 1/2 cup hot water in bowl until plump, about 10 minutes; drain. Combine vinegar, mustard, shallot, ¼ teaspoon salt, and sugar in large bowl. Whisking constantly, drizzle in oil. Season with pepper to taste.
- Adjust oven rack to top position and heat oven to 475 degrees. Brush tops and sides of cheese evenly with oil. Bake until crumbs are golden brown and cheese is slightly soft, 7 to 12 minutes. Using thin metal spatula, transfer cheese to paper towel–lined plate and let cool for 3 minutes.
- Combine greens and dressing in large bowl, toss gently to coat, and divide among salad plates. Sprinkle with figs, apples, and walnuts. Arrange warm goat cheese on top of salad and serve.
Notes
Valley Fig Growers is a proud sponsor of Cook’s Country TV.
