Rustic Barefoot Contessa’s Salad With Warm Goat Cheese Recipe

Salads often surprise us with their ability to make warm goat cheese the star of a delightful dish.

A simple yet elegant recipe beckons with its rustic charm and Mediterranean-inspired flavors.

Ina Garten’s classic approach brings sophistication to fresh greens and creamy cheese.

The golden-crusted goat cheese medallions melt gently over crisp mixed greens, creating a harmonious blend of textures.

Herbs and a light vinaigrette dance around the plate, adding bright, zesty notes to each bite.

This recipe promises a restaurant-quality experience right in your kitchen.

Savor each forkful and let the magic of simple ingredients transport you to a sun-drenched French countryside.

Smart Tips for Barefoot Contessa Salad With Warm Goat Cheese

• Use dental floss for perfectly smooth goat cheese slices that create a professional look and clean edge every time.
• Bread and chill goat cheese rounds up to 4 hours before serving, making party preparation stress-free and seamless.
• Swap different vinegars like sherry or champagne for unique flavor profiles that complement the creamy goat cheese.
• Serve cheese immediately after frying to maintain crispy exterior and soft, warm interior that melts in your mouth.
• Mix arugula, baby spinach, or mixed spring greens for varied textures and subtle flavor changes that keep the dish exciting.

Serving Ideas for Barefoot Contessa Salad With Warm Goat Cheese

• Elevate Dining Experience: Pair this elegant salad with a crisp baguette slice or rustic bread to soak up the tangy vinaigrette.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the creamy goat cheese and bright dressing with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or light Pinot Grigio.
• Presentation Pro Tip: Arrange the golden-brown goat cheese rounds carefully on top of the mixed greens, ensuring each plate looks like a gourmet restaurant creation.
• Add Fresh Flair: Sprinkle some chopped fresh herbs like chives or parsley over the salad for an extra pop of color and vibrant flavor.

Prep Ahead and Storage Tips for Barefoot Contessa Salad With Warm Goat Cheese

• Prep Ahead Strategies: Breading goat cheese rounds can be done up to 24 hours in advance. Store breaded cheese slices on a parchment-lined tray in the refrigerator, covered with plastic wrap to maintain crispness.
• Quick Serving Timing: Fry goat cheese just before serving to ensure a crispy exterior and warm, creamy interior. Serve salad immediately after adding cheese to preserve texture and temperature.
• Smart Dressing Storage: Keep vinaigrette in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Shake well before using, as separation is natural with homemade dressings.
• Leftover Management: Store salad components separately. Keep dressed greens, dressing, and breaded cheese rounds in separate sealed containers. Consume within 1-2 days for best quality and taste.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 435 kcal

Servings: 6

Barefoot Contessa Salad With Warm Goat Cheese: Ingredient List

• Mixed Salad Leaves: Crisp, vibrant greens that create a fresh foundation, choose a mix with tender and crunchy varieties for textural contrast.
• Montrachet Goat Cheese: Creamy French cheese with rich, tangy flavor, select a high-quality, smooth wheel for best results.

• Egg Whites: Helps breadcrumbs adhere to cheese, ensuring a perfect golden crust.
• Breadcrumbs: Provides a delightful crispy exterior, select fine, dry breadcrumbs for even coating.
• Olive Oil: Helps achieve beautiful golden color when frying cheese, use extra virgin for robust flavor.
• Butter: Adds rich, nutty undertone and helps prevent sticking during cheese frying.

• White Wine Vinegar: Delivers bright, sharp acidity to balance the rich cheese.
• Champagne Vinegar: Introduces delicate, sophisticated tang to the vinaigrette.
• Sugar: Softens vinegar's sharpness and rounds out the dressing's flavor profile.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Enhance and balance overall taste, adjust to personal preference.
• Egg Yolk: Acts as an emulsifier to create smooth, silky dressing texture.

Tools You’ll Need for Barefoot Contessa Salad With Warm Goat Cheese

• Food Processor: Essential for blending vinaigrette ingredients smoothly and quickly.
• Large Bowl: Perfect for tossing mixed salad leaves with dressing.
• Frying Pan: Needed to crisp and golden the goat cheese rounds with oil and butter.
• Dental Floss: Great for making clean, precise cuts of goat cheese.
• Rack: Helps chill and set breaded goat cheese slices before frying.
• Whisk or Fork: Useful for beating egg whites and coating goat cheese.
• Sharp Knife: Helps slice goat cheese into even rounds.
• Plates: For serving the final salad with warm goat cheese.

Cooking Directions for Barefoot Contessa Salad With Warm Goat Cheese

Warm Goat Cheese Adventure

• Cheese Preparation Magical Moment

Select a beautiful round of soft goat cheese. Using dental floss, create smooth slices that look elegant and precise. Carefully dip each slice into egg whites, then roll in crispy breadcrumbs. Chill the prepared cheese rounds in the refrigerator for a short relaxation period.

• Dressing Creation

Combine tangy vinegars with a touch of sweetness in a blender. Add gentle seasonings and an egg yolk for creamy richness. Slowly stream olive oil while blending to create a silky smooth vinaigrette that will make taste buds dance.

• Leaf Transformation

Gently toss fresh mixed salad greens with just enough dressing to enhance their natural flavors. Arrange the greens on beautiful serving plates, creating an inviting landscape of green.

• Cheese Transformation

Heat a skillet with a whisper of olive oil and butter. Carefully place cheese rounds in the pan, cooking until they develop a golden crispy exterior while keeping their soft, creamy heart. Watch for that perfect moment of transformation.

• Final Plating Symphony

Crown each salad with two warm goat cheese rounds. Serve immediately to capture the magical moment when crispy meets fresh and warm meets cool.

Elegant Barefoot Contessa Salad With Warm Goat Cheese Recipe

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4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Barefoot Contessa salad with warm goat cheese combines crisp greens and tangy cheese for a delightful French-inspired dish. Elegant flavors and simple ingredients make this recipe perfect for intimate gatherings or refreshing lunch moments.

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Ingredients

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• 1 log (310g/10.9 oz) Montrachet cheese (plain or herbed)
• 100g (3.5 oz) white breadcrumbs (fresh)
• 2 egg whites (large)
• 1 egg yolk (large)
• 240 ml (8 fl oz) olive oil
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) cider vinegar
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) champagne vinegar
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) water
• ½ tsp (2.5 ml) kosher salt (or to taste)
• ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) black pepper (freshly ground)
• 1 pinch sugar
• Olive oil (for frying)
• Unsalted butter (for frying)
• Mixed salad leaves (enough for 6 servings)

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Instructions

1. Cheese Preparation: Use dental floss to slice Montrachet goat cheese into twelve uniform 1.5-centimeter rounds with precision.
2. Breading Process: Dip cheese rounds in egg whites, then coat thoroughly with breadcrumbs, ensuring complete and even coverage.
3. Chilling Stage: Refrigerate breaded cheese rounds for 15 minutes to stabilize the coating and enhance crispness.
4. Vinaigrette Creation: Blend red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, sugar, kosher salt, black pepper, and egg yolk in a food processor until smooth.
5. Emulsification: Gradually stream extra virgin olive oil into the running processor to develop a rich, cohesive vinaigrette with balanced consistency.
6. Salad Assembly: Toss mixed greens with vinaigrette, distributing dressing lightly to prevent oversaturation, and plate evenly across six serving dishes.
7. Cheese Searing: Heat olive oil and butter in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat, quickly browning breaded cheese rounds for 30-45 seconds per side to achieve a crispy golden exterior and creamy center.
8. Final Presentation: Top each salad with two warm goat cheese rounds immediately before serving to maintain optimal temperature and textural contrast.

Notes

• Cheese Cutting Technique: Use unflavored dental floss for super clean, precise goat cheese rounds without crumbling or uneven edges.
• Chilling Breaded Cheese: Refrigerate breaded cheese rounds for at least 15 minutes to prevent cheese melting and help breadcrumbs adhere perfectly during cooking.
• Vinaigrette Emulsification: Stream olive oil slowly while blending to create a smooth, stable vinaigrette that won’t separate or become oily.
• Serving Temperature Matters: Serve warm goat cheese rounds immediately after searing to maintain crispy exterior and creamy interior, ensuring optimal texture and flavor experience.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 435
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 41 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg