Craving a taste of France without the fuss? Prepare to be amazed by the Warm French Goat Cheese Salad, a surprisingly simple dish that delivers an explosion of flavor.
Imagine sweet, tangy cabbage, creamy goat cheese, and a delightful pistachio crunch – you'll want to discover the secret behind this culinary masterpiece.
Ingredients Spotlight
Let's plunge into the ingredients that will make this salad pop! First, you'll need half a bunch of English spinach leaves—slice 'em into half-inch strips. Next, grab a quarter of a red cabbage, then cut it into 1×2" rectangles.
Now, for the flavor boosters: two and a half tablespoons of unsalted butter, softened, plus one minced garlic clove. Don't be shy with the garlic!
Herbs are next! You'll want a tablespoon of fresh chopped herbs. I'm using thyme, rosemary, and parsley. A teaspoon of balsamic vinegar is essential here to give it that "Je ne sais quoi."
And finally, add a teaspoon of salt. Plus, you're gonna fall in love with crushed pistachios! Three tablespoons coarsely chopped to finish, and you can go big or go home. It's your call!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Alright, let's dive right into the step-by-step instructions, and I promise, it's easier than trying to fold a fitted sheet!
First, grab your pan and set it over medium-high heat. Drop in 2 1/2 tablespoons of butter with one minced garlic clove; let that sizzle for about 15 seconds, just long enough to wake up the garlic. Don't burn it!
Now, toss in 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of your favorite chopped herbs—thyme, rosemary, or parsley work great! Swirl it all around like you're painting the bottom of the pan.
Add 1/4 of a red cabbage (cut into rectangles) to the pan. Cook, tossing it continuously so that the butter coats all surfaces of the cabbage. Once it starts to wilt, pull the pan from the heat. Quick!
Next, toss in 1/2 bunch of sliced spinach and 1 teaspoon of balsamic vinegar. The warmth will slightly wilt the spinach, so don't worry about overcooking!
Serving Suggestions
Now, it's time to dish this beauty out and make it look as good as it tastes! I like to serve my Warm French Goats Cheese Salad immediately – that's when the flavors are at their peak.
Imagine this: a slightly warm, tangy goat cheese medallion sitting atop a bed of crisp greens. Doesn't that sound amazing? I reckon it does! If you have some extra pistachios, sprinkle them on top. That's the stuff!
The key is to achieve a delightful balance of flavors and textures in each bite. Think about adding a light drizzle of honey. It's not totally traditional, but the sweetness complements the cheese so well. And if you're feeling fancy, a few edible flowers never hurt!
This salad works great as a light lunch or starter. I think including a crusty baguette on the side for mopping up all that flavorful dressing's a great idea. Enjoy!
Nutritional Information
Each serving – that's about 134 grams – packs around 127 calories. It's not too bad, right? You're also getting 7.7 grams of carbs, 3.5 grams of protein, and 10.1 grams of fat. Keep an eye on that saturated fat – it's about 4.9 grams.
Now, look at the vitamins! This salad's bursting with Vitamin A – a whopping 87% of your daily needs! Vitamin C is also impressive at 64%. Plus, you'll get 10% of your daily iron. How awesome is that?
Don't forget the fiber! You're getting 3.5 grams, about 15% of what you need. Sodium's a little high at 679mg, so maybe go easy on the salt if you're worried about that. Enjoy!
Short Recipe Version
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 2
Ingredients:
- 4 oz Goat Cheese
- 4 cups Mixed Greens
- 1/4 cup Balsamic Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup Olive Oil
- 1 baguette, sliced
- 2 tbsp Honey
- 2 tbsp Walnuts, chopped
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Slice goat cheese into rounds.
- Place goat cheese rounds on baguette slices. Drizzle the walnuts and honey.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Toss mixed greens with balsamic vinaigrette, honey, and olive oil.
- Top salad with warm goat cheese toasts.
- Serve.
Nutrition Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: 600
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 40g
- Carbohydrates: 40g