Warm Goat Cheese Salad

Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

Because it is St Patty's Day I thought I'd post something "green"....and can you believe it, it's NOT a dessert but rather a delicious salad.  Perfect to have on St. Pat's Day. This recipe makes a large serving for 1 person so do not hesitate to double it if you wish to serve more than one person.

Warm Goat Cheese Salad

Ingredients:

For the goat cheese toast:

1-2 pieces of good fresh bread (I choose a nice French Bread)

extra virgin olive oil

3 oz. of goat cheese

For the salad:

1/2 tsp red wine or sherry vinegar

2 tsp extra virgin olive oil

1/8 tsp Dijon mustard

a good pinch of coarse salt

2 cups of torn green lettuce leaves, washed and dried

FRESH ground pepper

1/4 cup walnut halves, toasted (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat broiler and set oven rack in the middle of oven.

2. Brush bread with just enough olive oil to moisten it.  Gently spread goat cheese on bread (don't spread too thin).  Broil on a baking sheet in the oven until the cheese is soft, warmed through and lightly browned.  This doesn't take long (maybe 3-4 minutes) so don't walk too far away from the oven.

3. While the toasts are baking, make vinaigrette.  With a fork stir together vinegar, olive oil, mustard and salt all together.

4. Toss lettuce in with the vinaigrette and pile on a plate. Grind FRESH pepper over the top and then rest the warm goat cheese toast over salad.  Scatter walnuts on top, if using.

I discovered this fabulous little salad as I was reading David Lebovitz's book, The Sweet Life in Paris.  I suggest everyone who has gone to Paris, worships Paris, has family in Paris, dreams of going to Paris or has simply just flown over Paris to go out and treat themselves to this book.  It is full of wonderful humor, delicious recipes and a great out-look of what it means to live in Paris.  I am serious......go get this book!

Happy Warm Goat Cheese Salad making!

~avril :-)