Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Crisp Goat Cheese Salad













This was also served to us by Dave & Gloria Botton. It went great with Watermelon & Cucumber Gazpacho. The original recipe is from Martha Stewart. The goat cheese disks can be prepared a day ahead.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup olive oil, plus more for baking sheet
3 large red potatoes (about 1 pound)
1 large egg
Coarse salt and fresh ground pepper
1 1/2 cups plain breadcrumbs
1 12-ounce log fresh goat cheese
1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar
1 tablespoon grainy or Dijon mustard
8 ounces mesclun or mixed salad greens

Directions:
Preheat broiler. Brush a baking sheet with oil; set side.
Place the potatoes and 1/4 cup water in a microwaveable dish, cover with plastic wrap, and cook on high until potatoes are easily pierced with the tip of a sharp knife, 8 to 10 minutes. (Alternatively, place potatoes in a medium saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil; simmer until fork tender, about 20 minutes.)
Rinse under cold water until cool enough to handle.
Cut into 1-inch chunks, and place in a medium bowl.
In a large bowl, whisk together vinegar, mustard, and 1/4 teaspoon each, salt and pepper.
Slowly add 1/4 cup oil, whisking to emulsify. Pour dressing over potatoes, toss to combine and set aside.
In a shallow bowl, whisk the egg with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper.
Place the breadcrumbs in a second shallow bowl.
Slice the cheese into 8 rounds, and pat each into a disk about 1/2-inch-thick.
Cover with wax paper to prevent sticking.
Using two forks, dip disks first in egg, and then in the breadcrumbs, coating evenly. Place on prepared baking sheet.
Brush disks lightly with the remaining 1/4 cup oil, and broil until golden and crisp, about 5 minutes.
Toss the lettuce with the dressed potatoes.
To serve, spoon salads onto plates, and top each with 2 cheese disks.

Serves 4

Watermelon & Cucumber Gazpacho

This is a great summer way to start a dinner in the summer. It was served to us by Dave & Gloria Botten. The recipe came out of the August 2005 Bon Appetit Magazine and is from Cat Cora the first female Iron Chef!

Ingredients:
1 three-pound watermelon, diced into 5 cups and divided into 4 cups and 1 cup.
1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded & diced (about 1 cup)
1 medium-size red bell pepper, seeded & diced (about 1 cup)
1 medium-size yellow bell pepper, seeded & diced (about 1 cup)
1 small jalapeno chile, seeded & minced
3 celery stalks, diced (about 1/2 cup)
1/2 small red onion, diced (about 1 cup)
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh mint
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup sour cream

Directions:
Puree 4 cups of diced watermelon in blender until smooth.
Transfer puree to large bowl.
Add remaining 1 cup diced watermelon and the rest of the ingredients except sour cream.
Stir to combine.
Cover gazpacho and refrigerate until cold – at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours.
Divide gazpacho among bowls and top with a dollop of sour cream.

Serves 4