Goat Cheese Salad With Pancetta Garlic And Figs Recipes

GOAT CHEESE PEAR SALAD

Steps:

• Place the goat cheese, mesclun and pear in a large mixing bowl. Heat the oil and pancetta in a medium saute pan on high heat until the pancetta just starts to brown. Remove from heat. Add the garlic and quickly shake the pan until the garlic starts to brown. Add the tomato and parsley and combine well. Add the zin vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Return to high heat and boil. Pour the vinaigrette over the mesclun mixture and toss well. Sprinkle with pine nuts.

WARM PANCETTA, GOAT CHEESE AND SPINACH SALAD

Steps:

• Put the spinach in a large bowl. Crumble the cheese over the spinach. Cook the pancetta in a medium skillet over medium heat until crispy, 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain the pancetta in a sieve set over a heatproof measuring cup, reserving the rendered fat. You will need 1/4 cup for the dressing. If necessary, add enough olive oil to make 1/4 cup. Pour the fat back into the pan and add the pancetta. When the pancetta is warm again, add the garlic and cook until light brown, about 30 seconds, stirring occasionally. Add the thyme and let it crackle in the fat for about 10 seconds. Add the vinegar, and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook for about 30 seconds to lower the acidity of the vinegar. You should see tiny drops of vinegar dispersed throughout the fat. Add the dried cranberries and stir. Pour the dressing over the spinach and cheese. Toss to coat the leaves evenly and melt the cheese a little. Serve immediately.

FIG & GOAT CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• 1. Preheat a grill to medium.
• 2. For walnut dressing: Whisk vinegar, mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Gradually whisk in oils until smooth and slightly thick. Stir in shallot and thyme.
• 3. For salad: Lightly brush figs with olive oil and grill, turning occasionally, until soft and lightly charred, about 6 minutes. Remove from grill and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Brush sliced bread with olive oil and grill until lightly toasted.
• 4. Toss frisee, watercress, and walnuts with dressing. Add goat cheese and toss lightly. Divide salad among 4 plates, top with warm figs, and serve with toasted bread.

GOAT CHEESE SALAD WITH PANCETTA, DRIED CHERRY AND PORT DRESSING

Steps:

• Combine cherries and Port in heavy small saucepan. Bring to simmer over medium heat. Remove from heat; let stand until cherries swell, about 15 minutes. Sauté pancetta in heavy large skillet over medium-low heat until crisp, about 8 minutes. Add shallots and garlic; cook 2 minutes. Add oil, then vinegar and sugar; stir until sugar dissolves. Stir in cherry mixture. Season with salt and pepper. (Dressing can be made 2 hours ahead. Set aside in skillet at room temperature.)
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place goat cheese slices on rimmed baking sheet. Bake until warm, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, combine salad greens and pine nuts in bowl. Rewarm dressing and pour over salad; toss to blend. Top with warm goat cheese and serve.

GOAT CHEESE SALAD WITH PANCETTA, GARLIC AND FIGS

Steps:

• Place the pancetta in a large skillet over low heat and cook until it has browned and released half of its fat. Remove the pancetta from the skillet with a slotted spoon. Add the olive oil to the skillet and increase the heat to medium. When the pancetta is hot but not smoking, return it to the pan and cook for a few seconds.
• Add the garlic and cook until lightly browned. Add the thyme and cook just until it makes a popping sound. Stir in the vinegar and simmer until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 5 minutes. Crumble the goat cheese into the skillet and cook just until it begins to weep. Toss in the greens and immediately remove the pan from the heat. Toss in the figs and season with salt and pepper to taste. Place the salad in a bowl and serve warm.