l.a.a.a.cuisine

sumptuous salad

today i'm making this sumptuous salad to go with some lamb that a friend is making for dinner. i can't yet say whether it's good or bad, but i can't imagine it being anything but great with the ingredients that are in it. hello, warm goat cheese? does it get any better?

Salad with Apples, Walnuts, Dried Cherries, and Herbed Baked Goat Cheese
from Cook's Illustrated

Serves 6

Salad

1 cup dried cherry (5 ounces)
2 Granny Smith apples
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon shallot , finely minced
1/4 teaspoon table salt
1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
ground black pepper
14 cups hearty greens , washed and dried
1/2 cup walnuts , chopped coarse and toasted

Herbed Baked Goat Cheese

3 ounces Melba toasts , white (about 2 cups)
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 large eggs
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
1 tablespoon fresh chives
12 ounces goat cheese , firm
extra-virgin olive oil


1. Plump cherries in 1/2-cup hot water in small bowl, about 10 minutes; drain. Quarter and core apples and cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices.

2. In food processor, process Melba toasts to fine even crumbs, about 1 1/2 minutes; transfer crumbs to medium bowl and stir in pepper. Whisk eggs and mustard in medium bowl until combined. Combine thyme and chives in small bowl.

3. Using kitchen twine or dental floss, divide cheese into 12 evenly sized pieces. Roll each piece into a ball; roll each ball in herbs to coat lightly. Transfer 6 pieces to egg mixture, turn each piece to coat; transfer to Melba crumbs and turn each piece to coat, pressing crumbs into cheese. Flatten each ball into disk about 1 1/2 inches wide and 1 inch thick and set on baking sheet. Repeat process with remaining 6 pieces cheese. Freeze cheese until firm, about 30 minutes. (Cheese may be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and frozen up to 1 week.) Adjust oven rack to uppermost position; heat to 475 degrees.

4. Remove cheese from freezer and brush tops and sides evenly with olive oil. Bake until crumbs are golden brown and cheese is slightly soft, 7 to 9 minutes (or 9 to 12 minutes if cheese is completely frozen). Using thin metal spatula, transfer cheese to paper towel-lined plate and cool 3 minutes.

5. Combine vinegar, mustard, shallot, salt, and sugar in small bowl. Whisking constantly, drizzle in oil; season to taste with pepper. Place greens in large bowl, drizzle vinaigrette over, and toss to coat. Divide greens among individual plates; divide cherries, apples, and walnuts among plates; and place 2 rounds goat cheese on each salad. Serve immediately.

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if this sucks in any way, i will come back and edit this entry to say why. if i don't say anything, feel free to assume it was fabulous.

posted by sarah (SHU) @ 4:44 PM