Warm Herb-Crusted Goat Cheese Spinach Salad.
I have a huge confession.
I only recently started eating goat cheese. I’m sure some slipped by my lips in previous years without me knowing when I have ordered some sort of salad loaded with bacon and fries.
But, I just lately purchased it myself. It was difficult to bring myself to eat something with the word ‘goat’ in it. I just think of hairy, dirty animals with horns. Goats have horns, right? Or something like it.
Â
Anyway, I’m in love.
And even better, I highly doubt Mr. How Sweet has the sophisticated taste buds to eat goat cheese. In fact, I doubt he would eat anything with the word ‘goat’ in it either, unless it involved massive amounts of meat. And that is just gross.
So, as usual, this means more for me.
Something else strange has been happening in my world lately.
 I’ve had this odd craving for . . . salad. Like, a salad full of vegetables.
I know. It is weird.
Â
So I’ve made some of these strange looking things, these salads as you call them, and of course, 2 bites in, I am totally disgusted.
Tastes like grass. And tastes like something else that rhymes with grass.
Just when I thought my taste buds were maturing, were willing to accepts veggies in all colors of the rainbow, I was shot down.
Alas, there is still a tiny bit of promise.
Â
This salad gave me some hope.
Warm, gooey, melty goat cheese coated in crispy whole wheat panko. I could probably eat a pound of this in one sitting, it was that desirable.
Â
Combined with the crisp spinach, the sweet strawberries, and the salty walnuts, it almost turned my love for vegetables around.
Then I realized that there weren’t many vegetables in the salad.
Oh, well.
I still ate a salad, and a might fine and tasty one at that.
Â
Warm Herb-Crusted Goat Cheese Spinach Salad
2 cups baby spinach
1/4 cup strawberries, sliced
1 oz glazed walnuts, chopped
1/8 red onion, sliced thin
1 oz goat cheese
1/4 cup flour
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup whole wheat panko bread crumbs
pinch of rosemary & thyme
I tablespoon olive oil
Arrange spinach, strawberries, and onions in a salad bowl.
Heat olive oil in a small skillet on medium heat. Place flour, egg, and panko in 3 separate bowls in an assembly line. Add rosemary and thyme to panko.
Coat goat cheese in flour, dip in beaten egg, and roll in panko mix. Make sure to press bread crumbs into cheese. Place in skillet and let brown on all sides, making sure the coating does not burn. As soon as the breading is golden brown and crispy, remove from skillet and lay on a paper towel for 60 seconds.
Add on top of salad while still warm.
Â
Â
You have gotta try this salad soon.
Or at least try this big hunk of crispy cheese. It will brighten your day.
64 Comments on “Warm Herb-Crusted Goat Cheese Spinach Salad.”
That goat cheese is just begging to be inhaled.
Goat cheese = Love.
I’m so glad you’ve fallen in love with goat cheese. Baaaah! That was supposed to be a goat crying. But oh well.
And you’re eating a salad?!!! Ques horror! I’m proud of you darling!
That is one yummy looking salad! :-D
You are correct, I must try this salad soon! I am on a salad kick myself. I think it’s because I want to taste Spring…even though the weather is not quite cooperating. But who’s complaining?
Oh WOW!! That looks amazing! I jumped on goat cheese a few years back and I love it, but cannot bring myself to eat goat meat or drink the milk…blech!
I love the idea of the herb-crusted goat cheese! I love goat cheese, too… and I bet it would put me in more of a mood to eat salads.
i LOVE goat cheese!!! i put it in and on everything! pizza, hummous, salads, sandwiches~mmmmm….so delightful. i do agree its an acquired taste though….not everyone likes it….but the best, by far, is definitely rolled in crumbs and FRIED!!! heaven in my mouth!!!!
I really love goat cheese desserts, their are awesome. If I have guests, I just make goat cheese deserts and they love it. Are there any other good uses for goat cheese?
do we think this is something I could try with regular breadcrumbs? super finely crushed style?
because i may or may not have everything but the panko in my kitchen RIGHT NOW. ummm…yummmm.
I’m sure! Try it and let me know. ;)
Pingback: Cooking Challenge Day #28 – Warm Herb-Crusted Goat Cheese Spinach Salad « Ella Rose Entertaining
I made this a few weeks ago now that strawberries are in season – I think this will be a staple all summer for me :)
I love your site! I make a lovely version of this with sauteed mushrooms and caramelized onions – perfect for when strawberries are out of season.
http://thekitchenradio.com/2012/08/12/warm-goat-cheese-salad/
Just made these… So easy to make and so good!