Crispy Warm Goat Cheese Salad

When choosing a goat cheese for this recipe, look for one that is semifirm and creamy on the inside. If shopping at a specialty cheese counter, ask for the Crottin de Chavignol. In this recipe, toast the bread and coat the cheese with crispy breadcrumbs before heating. For a no-fry option, halve each cheese round horizontally, place on a baguette slice, and broil on high for about 5 minutes. (Be sure to take it out when the cheese is just beginning to melt and bubble.) Prep: 30 minutes; Cook: 5 minutes.

Yield: Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

• 2  large eggs, beaten
• 3  tablespoons  water
• 4  rounds Crottin de Chavignol (about 2 ounces each) or other goat cheese
• 1/2  cup  Japanese breadcrumbs (panko)
• Vegetable oil
• 2  tablespoons  pine nuts
• 1  head frisée, torn into medium-size pieces (about 8 cups)
• 1  large bunch purple seedless grapes, halved (about 2 cups)
• 1/2  cup  Garlic Vinaigrette
• 1  baguette or country-style bread, sliced and toasted

Preparation

1. Combine eggs and water; dip each cheese round in egg mixture and breadcrumbs, covering all sides. Fry breaded cheese in 1 inch of hot oil in a medium saucepan, 1 to 2 minutes, turning until cheese has browned on all sides and begins to ooze lightly.

2. Toast pine nuts in a dry sauté pan on medium heat 4 to 5 minutes or until golden. Toss pine nuts, frisée, and grapes with Garlic Vinaigrette, and distribute evenly in 4 salad bowls. Top each salad with a cheese round. Serve immediately with toasted bread.