Recipe: Baked Goat Cheese Salad with Creamy Walnut Vinaigrette (2024)

For the buttered pecans:

• 2 cups

  (8 ounces) pecan halves

• 3 tablespoons

  melted butter, divided

• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the vinaigrette:

• 1/2 cup

  walnut oil

• 4 teaspoons

  red wine vinegar

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• 2

  egg yolks, preferably from organic or free-range bird (See Recipe Note)

• 2 teaspoons

  honey

• 2 teaspoons

  Dijon mustard

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the salad:

• 6 ounces

  goat cheese

• 2

  egg whites

• 1/2 cup

  bread crumbs

• 1/2 teaspoon

  salt

• Freshly ground black pepper

• Mixed greens

• Dried fruit, such as cherries or cranberries

1. For the buttered pecans, preheat oven to 325°F. Toss the pecans and two tablespoons melted butter in a mixing bowl until combined. Spread in a baking dish and cook, stirring occasionally, for 21 - 24 minutes, until toasted and browned, watching carefully at the end so they don't burn.

2. Pour the pecans back into the mixing bowl along with the remaining tablespoon of melted butter and toss to coat. Season generously with sea salt and a few grinds of black pepper, and continue to stir until the pecans are seasoned to taste. (Pecans can be made a few days in advance and stored in an airtight container.)

3. For the vinaigrette, combine the walnut oil, red wine vinegar, egg yolks, honey, and Dijon mustard in a blender and puree on high until a thick emulsion forms. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate while the goat cheese rounds are baking in the next step. (I find the dressing thickens up to the perfect consistency after it chills for a few minutes.)

4. To make the goat cheese rounds, preheat oven to 375°F. Use your hands to shape the goat cheese into 1-inch round balls and arrange on a plate. You should have 10-12 balls. Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to allow to firm up. Whisk egg whites in a small bowl. In another small bowl combine the bread crumbs, salt, and pepper. (Finely chopped herbs can be added, if desired.)

5. Remove the cheese balls from the refrigerator. Gently but firmly press each ball into a thick disk, smoothing the sides your finger. Dip one disk into the egg whites, allowing excess to drip off, then coat in the bread crumb mixture. Place on a parchment paper-lined sheet pan and continue with remaining discs. Bake for 13 - 15 minutes until golden brown and cheese is warmed through (a minute or two under the broiler will brown them more if needed.) Cool for about 5 minutes before serving. Use a small spatula to gently reshape the discs, if necessary.

6. Remove the dressing from the fridge and whisk gently to emulsify the ingredients again. Toss greens with desired amount of salad dressing. Arrange warm goat cheese rounds on top. Sprinkle with pecans and dried berries. Serve immediately.