Chèvre Field Greens And Fire Roasted Tomato Vinaigrette Recipes

HEIRLOOM TOMATO SALAD WITH ROASTED-GARLIC VINAIGRETTE AND CHèVRE-STUFFED PIQUILLO PEPPERS

Steps:

• For the vinaigrette: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Put the garlic cloves on a square of aluminum foil. Add the 1 teaspoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper; toss to coat. Seal the foil around the garlic to make a package and bake until the garlic is tender, about 40 minutes. On a cutting board, mash the garlic to a paste with the side of a chef's knife. In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, shallot, mustard, and garlic paste. Whisk in the 1/3 cup olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• Without tearing the piquillo peppers, remove the seeds with your finger. In a small bowl, combine the goat cheese, finely chopped pecans, chives, parsley, and mashed garlic. Stuff the peppers with the seasoned goat cheese, dividing it evenly.
• Core the tomatoes and cut them into large wedges or chunks. Put them in a large bowl and add the basil leaves, tearing them into smaller pieces. Add half of the dressing and toss well. Add the mixed lettuces and coarsely chopped pecans and toss again, adding more dressing as needed to coat the greens lightly. Taste for seasoning. Divide the tomato salad and the stuffed peppers among 6 large plates and serve immediately.
• Enjoy with Cakebread Cellars Sauvignon Blanc or another young and crisp white wine.

GRILLED VEGETABLE ANTIPASTO WITH HERBED CHEVRE AND CROSTINI

Steps:

• Grilled Vegetable Antipasto:
• 1. Brush the grill grates lightly with the safflower oil. Prepare a hot fire on a gas or charcoal grill.
• 2. Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, and basil in a small bowl until well blended. Brush the zucchini, yellow squash, onion, red bell peppers, and scallions with the olive oil mixture. Place the vegetables on the hot grill and cook 3 to 4 minutes per side until crisp-tender. Season with salt and pepper.
• 3. Soak the sun-dried tomatoes in 1 cup hot water, covered, about 5 minutes or until softened. Drain and set aside. (Note: Eliminate this step if you are using sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil.)
• 4. Arrange the grilled vegetables, sun-dried tomatoes, and sliced tomatoes on individual plates or a serving platter. Add a slice of chevre on the side of the vegetables. Drizzle the vegetables with the vinaigrette, and drizzle a little more vinaigrette around the place. Garnish with the parsley and basil. Season with additional salt and pepper, if desired, and serve with crostini.
• Crostini:
• Makes 25 to 30 crostini
• 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
• 2. Slice the bread on a slight angle into 1/4-inch-thick slices and place on a baking pan in a single layer.
• 3. Mix together the olive oil, butter, parsley, dill and pepper in a small bowl.
• 4. Brush one side of each piece of bread with the butter mixture and sprinkle with the salt. Toast in the oven 10 to 15 minutes, until golden brown and crunchy.
• 5.Let cool completely, then store in an air-tight container up to 1 week.
• Herbed Balsamic Vinaigrette:
• 1. Combine the vinegar, lemon juice, herbs, and pepper in a small bowl and stir to mix.
• 2. Slowly add the olive oil and the canola oil and whisk until all the oil is incorporated. Refrigerate in an air-tight container until ready to use or up to 1 week.
• Herbed Chevre:
• 1. Mix the parsley and pepper together on a plate. Roll the chevre log in the mixture, pressing lightly so the seasonings adhere. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill 1 to 2 hours.
• 2. Remove the log from the refrigerator and unwrap. Cut into 1-inch slices with string, dental floss, or wire. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve