Ingredients
- 1/3 cup fine dry bread crumbs
- 1/3 cup toasted walnuts
- 1 teaspoon Essence, recipe follows
- 1 cold 6-ounce log fresh goat cheese, cut crosswise into 4 thick slices
- 1 egg white, beaten
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Champagne or white wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons minced shallots
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 freshly ground black pepper
- 11/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 6 ounces mesclun or other small salad greens, rinsed and spun dry
- 6 ounces bacon lardons (slab bacon, thickly cut into 2-inch strips), cooked until crisp and fat is rendered
- Fresh baby parsley sprigs, for garnish
- Chives, for garnish
- Toasted buttered French bread croutons, accompaniment
Directions
In a food processor, pulse the bread crumbs, walnuts, and Essence until the nuts are ground, being careful not to over-grind. Place in a shallow dish.
Dip the cheese slices in the egg white, then into the bread crumb mixture, turning to coat on all sides and pressing to adhere. Place on a plate and refrigerate 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
In a bowl, combine the vinegar, shallots, garlic, salt, and pepper. Let sit for 10 minutes. Whisk in the mustard and slowly add the oil, whisking to make an emulsion.
Place the greens and bacon in a large bowl and toss with the dressing to coat. Adjust the seasoning, to taste. Divide among 4 salad plates.
On a small, lightly greased baking sheet, bake the goat cheese rounds until golden brown and softened, about 5 minutes. Remove and transfer 1 round to each salad. Garnish with the parsley sprigs and chives, and serve immediately with warm croutons.
Essence (Emeril's Creole Seasoning):
- 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.
Yield: about 2/3 cup
Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William Morrow, 1993.
Photo: Warm Nut Encrusted Goat Cheese Salad with Bacon Lardons Recipe
















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By Chef #1012828
on July 31, 2010
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I love this salad - my only complaint would be that I find the addition of the lardons to make everything a bit salty. Instead, I like to add craisens for a bit of sweetness. That being said, that is totally a personal taste thing, and I totally have dreams about the nut encrusted goat cheese.
By MrsDyes
Leesburg, GA
on October 03, 2009
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My sister made this originally and I have made it 3 times since. Once I didn't have time to refrigerate the cheese before baking and it still turned out fine. It's a keeper!
By j.harden_10764373
Sorrento, FL
on July 18, 2008
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i love this salad
Read all 12 reviews