Goats Cheese Date And Fig Salad Recipes

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl, stir together the goat cheese, cream cheese, lemon juice and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Transfer to a 1-quart baking dish or ovenproof skillet, and spread into an even layer. Bake until warmed through and bubbling, about 20 to 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a medium skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until golden and crisp, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, then add the dates to the bacon fat in the skillet, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the insides are warm and the outsides blister, about 1 minute.
• Top the baked cheese with the dates and bacon, and garnish as you wish. Serve at once.

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.

Steps:

• Place the orange zest and orange juice in a medium (10-inch) heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset. Add the sugar, vanilla bean, and figs to the pot. Cover and bring to a full boil over medium heat. (Don't worry; it may look dry.) Stir the mixture and boil hard for 1 minute, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Lower the heat, and cook uncovered at a full simmer for 50 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the little bubbles to be throughout the pot, not just at the edges. After 45 minutes, refrigerate a small amount of the liquid to see if it becomes syrupy. It should be like a soft fruit preserve. Keep cooking just until the liquid starts to gel when cold. If the liquid is too firm, add a little orange juice or water, cook for a minute, and test it again until it's right. Depending on how ripe the figs are, they will probably keep their shape, but it's fine if they don't. Discard the vanilla bean and serve or refrigerate.
• Before serving, toast or grill the bread and spread with goat cheese. Spoon the fig preserves on, then the grated orange zest if using, and serve.

Steps:

• Make vinaigrette:
• In a small bowl whisk together vinegar, soy sauce, pepper, and salt to taste and add oil in a stream, whisking until emulsified. Vinaigrette may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring vinaigrette to room temperature and whisk before proceeding.
• In a bowl toss mesclun with vinaigrette and divide among 8 salad plates. Top salad with dates and goat cheese.