Bacon Wilted Greens With Warm Pecan Crusted Goat Cheese Recipes

WILTED GREENS WITH BACON

Steps:

• Trim and chop 2 bunches dandelion greens, watercress or baby kale. Cook 3 slices chopped bacon until crisp; transfer to paper towels using a slotted spoon. Add 1 each sliced garlic clove and shallot to the drippings; cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add 3 tablespoons cider vinegar and 1 tablespoon sugar; stir until dissolved. Add the greens in batches, tossing to wilt. Season with salt and pepper; top with the bacon.

WILTED GREENS WITH BACON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Place romaine in a serving bowl. In a skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy. Remove bacon and crumble over greens. To the pan, add sugar and vinegar, and simmer until sugar is dissolved, scraping up bacon bits that cling to the bottom of the pan. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Pour hot dressing over greens and toss. Serve immediately.

LIGHTENED-UP PIMIENTO CHEESE

Steps:

• To make the pimiento cheese, combine the cheeses, onion, mayonnaise, and yogurt in a bowl. Stir until well combined. Add the pimientos and hot sauce to taste. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
• Cut the cucumbers into 1-inch-thick rounds, discarding the ends, but leaving the skin on. Using a small spoon or melon baller, scoop the seeds and some of the flesh out of each round (be careful not to go all the way through) to form a small cup.
• To serve, fill each cup with about 1 teaspoon of the pimiento cheese. Serve immediately.

WARM WILTED WINTER GREENS

Steps:

• Cook honey and balsamic together over medium-high heat in a large saute pan, about 5 minutes. Toast walnuts in a small skillet; set aside to cool.
• Pile greens on a platter. Stir mustard into balsamic-honey dressing, then whisk in about 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil; pour over greens. Season greens with salt and pepper and garnish with walnuts, pomegranate seeds, shavings of Parmesan, and shallot.

COLLARD GREENS WITH WARM BACON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Cook 4 chopped bacon slices in a skillet until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon. Add 1/3 cup each apple cider vinegar and chopped dates to the drippings; swirl until warm. Pour over 1 small bunch shredded collard greens; add the bacon and ¼ cup chopped toasted walnuts. Season with salt and pepper and toss.

PECAN-CRUSTED GOAT CHEESE LOG

Steps:

• Warm the bourbon and water in a small saucepan, add the peaches, and set aside until plump, about 15 minutes.
• Put the toasted pecans and Cajun seasoning in a mini chopper and pulse until the nuts are finely ground but not pasty. Spread the nut mixture on a large plate. Roll the goat cheese in the mixture, pressing firmly to coat the whole log generously.
• Slice the cheese into rounds and arrange on a platter. Top with the chopped peaches and juices.

MACADAMIA NUT-CRUSTED GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a small pot over medium-low heat until the oil is hot but not over 230 degrees F. Remove from the heat. Add the red pepper flakes and garlic and set aside to cool and let the flavors infuse into the oil. Reserve 2 tablespoons for coating the Melba toasts and the remaining for the Roasted Parsnip Medley recipe.
• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the macadamia nuts, panko, white pepper, and a generous pinch of salt. Let cook until the nuts and breadcrumbs have absorbed all the butter and are lightly toasted, 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Transfer to a baking sheet and let cool. Once cool, roll the goat cheese logs in the mixture, making sure they are completely coated. Place on a serving platter.
• Add the Melba toasts to a large bowl. Drizzle the reserved 2 tablespoons garlic-pepper oil and toss so all the toasts are coated with the oil. Serve on the side with the goat cheese logs.