Perfect Barefoot Contessa Salad With Warm Goat Cheese Recipe

This barefoot contessa salad transforms simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece that dances between rustic charm and elegant sophistication.

Goat cheese takes center stage, melting into golden-brown perfection with a crisp exterior that contrasts beautifully against delicate greens.

Tangy and rich flavors merge seamlessly, creating a symphony of textures that tantalize your palate.

Home cooks adore this recipe for its simplicity and impressive presentation.

Each bite promises a delightful experience that elevates everyday ingredients.

Seasonal greens and carefully selected herbs enhance the dish’s nuanced profile.

The result is a memorable meal that feels both comforting and refined: bon appétit!

Creative Spins on a Warm Goat Cheese Classic

• Herbed Goat Cheese Crunch: Replace plain breadcrumbs with a mixture of panko, dried thyme, and finely chopped rosemary for an aromatic coating that adds extra flavor and texture to the warm goat cheese rounds.
• Mediterranean Salad Remix: Swap mixed leaves with a blend of baby spinach, arugula, and radicchio. Add kalamata olives, diced cucumber, and crumbled feta for a Greek-inspired version that brings vibrant Mediterranean flavors to the classic recipe.
• Honey Walnut Goat Cheese Salad: Drizzle warm goat cheese with local honey before serving. Sprinkle toasted chopped walnuts over the salad for a delightful sweet and nutty dimension that complements the tangy goat cheese perfectly.
• Roasted Vegetable Companion: Introduce roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, and caramelized shallots to the salad base. These warm vegetables will create a robust backdrop that elevates the creamy goat cheese and adds depth to the overall dish.

The Ultimate Wrap on a Goat Cheese Salad Adventure

Barefoot Contessa’s salad whisks garden-fresh greens into an elegant French-inspired masterpiece.

Crisp mixed leaves dance beneath golden-crusted goat cheese medallions, creating a symphony of textures and flavors.

Tangy vinaigrette weaves through delicate greens, awakening each bite with bright complexity.

Montrachet cheese transforms from simple ingredient to culinary star through precise technique and careful preparation.

Warm rounds provide luxurious contrast against cool, crisp salad base – a hallmark of sophisticated cooking.

Passionate home chefs can recreate this restaurant-quality dish, surprising dinner guests with seemingly effortless gourmet flair; eager palates will marvel, hungry hearts will rejoice, and recipe adventurers will click share, comment, and spread delicious inspiration across digital landscapes.

Fall in Love with a Warm Goat Cheese Salad

• Savor Creamy Indulgence: The warm, golden-crusted goat cheese provides a luxurious contrast to the crisp, fresh salad greens, creating a mouth-watering blend of temperatures and textures that elevates a simple salad to a gourmet experience.
• Master Chef-Worthy Technique: Using dental floss for precise cheese cutting and carefully frying the cheese to achieve a perfect golden exterior while maintaining a soft, creamy interior demonstrates professional-level cooking skills that home cooks can easily replicate.
• Quick Elegance in Minutes: This recipe transforms an ordinary salad into an impressive dish in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for unexpected guests, weeknight dinners, or when you want to add a touch of sophistication to your meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Versatile Flavor Symphony: The homemade vinaigrette's balanced blend of vinegars, olive oil, and seasonings creates a bright, tangy dressing that complements the rich, creamy goat cheese and delicate salad greens, offering a perfect harmony of flavors in every bite.

The Flavorful Essentials of a Goat Cheese Salad

• Montrachet Goat Cheese: Creamy French goat cheese with rich, tangy flavor, perfect for warm salad topping.
• Egg Whites: Light coating agent to help breadcrumbs stick to cheese.
• Breadcrumbs: Crispy exterior for golden-brown cheese rounds.

• Mixed Salad Leaves: Fresh, tender greens providing a light base for the warm cheese.

• White Wine Vinegar, Champagne Vinegar: Tangy acids for bright, balanced dressing.
• Sugar: Subtle sweetness to balance vinegar's sharpness.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning for depth of flavor.
• Egg Yolk: Emulsifier to create smooth, creamy vinaigrette texture.
• Olive Oil: Rich, smooth base for vinaigrette, binding ingredients together.

• Olive Oil: Versatile cooking fat for frying cheese and dressing.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps achieve golden color when frying cheese.

Step by Step to a Dreamy Goat Cheese Creation

Step 1: Slice Goat Cheese

Use dental floss to cut Montrachet into twelve thin rounds. Create smooth, even slices to ensure perfect presentation.

• Montrachet cheese
• Dental floss for cutting

Chill rounds in refrigerator for better handling.

Step 2: Prepare Cheese Coating

Create a crispy exterior for the cheese rounds.

• Egg whites
• Breadcrumbs

Dip each cheese round into beaten egg whites, then coat generously with breadcrumbs. Place coated rounds on a clean rack and refrigerate for 15 minutes to set.

Step 3: Craft Tangy Vinaigrette

Blend vinaigrette ingredients in a food processor for smooth consistency.

• White wine vinegar
• Balsamic vinegar
• Granulated sugar
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Egg yolk
• Olive oil

Pulse ingredients until well combined. Slowly stream olive oil while blending to create a creamy, emulsified dressing. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Step 4: Assemble Fresh Salad Greens

Prepare the base for your gourmet salad.

• Mixed salad leaves
• Prepared vinaigrette

Gently toss salad greens with just enough dressing to lightly coat. Distribute evenly among six serving plates.

Step 5: Crisp Goat Cheese Rounds

Create golden, warm cheese topping.

• Olive oil
• Butter

Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place cheese rounds in the pan. Fry quickly until golden brown, ensuring the inside remains soft and creamy.

Step 6: Final Plating

Add the warm cheese to each salad plate. Place two crispy goat cheese rounds on top of each salad. Serve immediately while cheese is still warm and crisp.

Serving Suggestion: Enjoy this elegant salad as a sophisticated starter or light lunch. The combination of crisp greens and warm, creamy goat cheese creates a delightful contrast of temperatures and textures.

Insider Secrets for a Salty Warm Cheese Salad

• Choose Premium Goat Cheese: Select a top-quality soft goat cheese like Montrachet to elevate the salad's richness and creamy texture.
• Master the Breadcrumb Technique: Press crumbs firmly and evenly onto the cheese rounds, ensuring a solid, crispy coating that won't fall apart during frying.
• Chill Before Frying: Refrigerate the breaded cheese for 15-20 minutes to help it maintain its shape and prevent rapid melting when introduced to hot oil.
• Explore Panko Power: Swap traditional breadcrumbs with panko for an extra crunchy, golden exterior that adds delightful texture to the warm goat cheese.
• Dressing Storage Hack: Refrigerate leftover dressing in a sealed container for up to a week, giving it a quick shake before serving to revive its flavors and consistency.

Freshness Hints for Your Goat Cheese Delight

• Chill and Preserve: Separate the crisp salad greens from the golden-crusted goat cheese immediately after serving. Use hermetic glass containers to maintain freshness and prevent soggy textures. Consume within 48 hours for optimal taste and quality.
• Revive Wisely: Gently warm the goat cheese rounds in a skillet over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes. Avoid microwaving, which can make the cheese rubbery and destroy its delicate crispy exterior. Refresh the greens with a light sprinkle of fresh vinaigrette before serving.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Create the goat cheese rounds and salad components separately before entertaining. Keep breaded cheese rounds refrigerated, layered between parchment paper, for up to 24 hours.

Barefoot Contessa Salad With Warm Goat Cheese Recipe

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4.8 from 23 reviews

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

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Description

Barefoot Contessa’s salad elevates simple ingredients with French-inspired elegance. Crisp greens topped with warm, creamy goat cheese create a delightful harmony that will transport diners to a charming Parisian bistro.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 (310g/10.9 oz) log plain or herbed Montrachet cheese
• 100g (3.5 oz) fresh white breadcrumbs
• Mixed salad leaves (enough for 6 servings)

Eggs and Coating:

• 2 large egg whites
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) water
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) kosher salt (or to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) freshly ground black pepper

Liquid Ingredients and Seasonings:

• 240 ml (8 fl oz) olive oil
• Olive oil (for frying)
• Unsalted butter (for frying)
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) champagne vinegar
• 1 pinch sugar

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Instructions

1. Carefully slice the Montrachet goat cheese into twelve uniform rounds measuring 0.6 inches (1.5 centimeters) thick, using dental floss to ensure clean, precise cuts.
2. Gently dip each cheese round into whisked egg whites, ensuring complete coverage, then delicately roll in breadcrumbs to create an even, crisp exterior coating.
3. Arrange the breaded cheese rounds on a wire cooling rack and refrigerate for a minimum of 15 minutes to help the coating set and maintain structural integrity.
4. Combine red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, granulated sugar, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and egg yolk in a food processor, blending for approximately 60 seconds until thoroughly incorporated.
5. With the food processor motor running, gradually stream extra virgin olive oil into the mixture, allowing the vinaigrette to emulsify and thicken to a smooth, consistent texture.
6. Taste the vinaigrette and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed to balance flavor profiles.
7. In a spacious mixing bowl, gently toss mixed salad greens with sufficient vinaigrette to lightly coat the leaves without oversaturating.
8. Distribute the dressed greens evenly across six serving plates, creating a fresh, vibrant base for the goat cheese.
9. Heat olive oil and unsalted butter in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat until the fat is shimmering but not smoking.
10. Quickly sear the breaded goat cheese rounds for approximately 30-45 seconds on each side, achieving a golden-brown, crispy exterior while maintaining a creamy interior.
11. Immediately place two warm goat cheese rounds atop each prepared salad and serve promptly to preserve temperature and texture.

Notes

• Select premium, creamy goat cheese like Montrachet for maximum flavor and smooth melting properties.
• Firmly press breadcrumbs or panko into cheese surface, ensuring a tight, even coating that won’t separate during cooking.
• Refrigerate breaded cheese rounds for at least 30 minutes before frying to maintain structural integrity and prevent rapid melting.
• Experiment with alternative breadcrumb types like panko for an extra crunchy exterior that adds delightful textural contrast.
• Store remaining salad dressing in an airtight container, which stays fresh for a week when refrigerated and quickly revived with a quick shake.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 420mg
• Fat: 38g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Protein: 10g
• Cholesterol: 65mg