Farmers' Market Greens With Baked Goat Cheese Toasts
This recipe offers a delightful mix of flavors and textures, with warm, soft goat cheese served on crisp baguette toasts alongside a fresh mixed green salad dressed in a tangy champagne vinaigrette. Savor the combination of savory goat cheese infused with thyme and the vibrant, colorful edible flowers to create a visually appealing and tasty dish perfect for a light lunch or appetizer.
— Constant Cookbook
Ingredients
- 1 Tbs. Champagne vinegar
- 1 shallot, finely minced (about 2 Tbs.)
- Fine sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
- 12 thin, diagonally cut slices baguette
- 1 1⁄2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1⁄4 lb. fresh goat cheese without a rind,
- at room temperature
- 1 tsp. coarsely chopped fresh thyme
- 6 oz. mixed baby salad greens
- About 1⁄2 cup loosely packed unsprayed
- edible flowers, such as nasturtiums, marigolds
- or chive blossoms (optional)
Instructions
- To make the vinaigrette, in a small bowl, combine the vinegar, shallot and a generous pinch of salt and let stand for 30 minutes to allow the shallot flavor to mellow. Whisk in the olive oil. Season with pepper and with more salt if needed.
- Preheat an oven to 425°F.
- Brush the baguette slices on both sides with about 1 Tbs. of the olive oil. Arrange on a baking sheet and bake until they are nicely browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Set aside to cool. They will crisp as they cool. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F.
- Lightly oil a small baking dish and put the goat cheese in it. Sprinkle with the thyme and drizzle with the remaining 1/2 Tbs. olive oil. Bake until the goat cheese is soft and quivery to the touch, about 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a bowl, toss the salad greens with the vinaigrette. Taste and adjust the seasonings. Divide the greens among individual salad plates. Divide and scatter the edible flowers evenly over the greens.
- Spread the warm cheese on the toasts, dividing it evenly. Arrange 3 toasts on each plate and serve the salads immediately.
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