Salad with Goats Cheese Truffles and a Honey Lemon Vinaigrette

Wednesday 22 July 2015

Salad with Goats Cheese Truffles and a Honey Lemon Vinaigrette

One thing I really love about the summer months is salads.  I simply adore salad in any way, shape or form.   I eat them all year round, but summer is when I especially enjoy them and that is mostly because of all the fresh salad leaves and vegetables that are available during the warmer months.  This salad here today is exciting and fabulous and quite simple to make.  I like simple don't you?

Salad with Goats Cheese Truffles and a Honey Lemon Vinaigrette

What makes it so exciting is not so much the colourful mix of salad leaves . . .  baby rocket (arugula), radicchio, frisee . . . or even the colourful chopped vegetables that I add for crunch . . .

Salad with Goats Cheese Truffles and a Honey Lemon Vinaigrette

Not the goats cheese truffles . . .  tangy little balls of rich goats cheese rolled in chopped dried cranberries and toasted pecans . . .

Salad with Goats Cheese Truffles and a Honey Lemon Vinaigrette

It's not that punchy, honey mustard and lemon vinaigrette with just the right amount of sweetness, heat and tang . . .

Salad with Goats Cheese Truffles and a Honey Lemon Vinaigrette

It's all of them put together . . .  that's what makes it so exciting, and interesting and . . .  dare I say it???   Why not . . .  ONE of the most delicious salads ever!!  And it's such a simple idea.  You will thank me for this.

 Salad with Goats Cheese Truffles and a Honey Lemon Vinaigrette

*Mixed Greens with Goat's Cheese Truffles*
and a Honey Lemon Vinaigrette
Serves 4

This fabulous salad boasts tangy little balls of goats cheese, rolled in chopped dried cranberries and toasted pecans, along with a delicious honey and lemon vinaigrette. 

For the salad you will need about
8 cups of mixed salad greens (2 X 180g bags)
you favourite salad vegetables, finely chopped
(peppers, cucumber, carrots, beetroot, etc.) Optional 

For the Truffles:
125g of soft goats cheese (4 ounces)
60g of cream cheese (2 ounces)
a pinch of both salt and black pepper
4 TBS finely chopped dried cranberries
4 TBS chopped toasted pecan nuts 

For the dressing:
60ml of liquid honey (1/4 cup)
60ml of fresh lemon juice (1/4 cup)
2 TBS good quality balsamic vinegar
2 tsp grainy mustard
60ml of olive oil (1/4 cup)
60ml of canola oil (1/4 cup)
salt and black pepper to taste


Salad with Goats Cheese Truffles and a Honey Lemon Vinaigrette 

To make the truffles, cream together the goats cheese and cream cheese with a pinch each of salt and black pepper.   Divide into 12 equal bits and then quickly roll each bit into a ball between the palms of your hands. Mix the cranberries and cooled pecan nuts together in a bowl.  Drop the goats cheese balls into this mixture and roll them around to coat them generously.  Place onto a plate.  Once they are all rolled and coated, cover lightly and place in the refrigerator to chill for about half an hour.

Salad with Goats Cheese Truffles and a Honey Lemon Vinaigrette


Whisk together the dressing ingredients to combine, or shake together in a jar with a lid.


Salad with Goats Cheese Truffles and a Honey Lemon Vinaigrette

When you are ready to serve the salad, divide the salad greens between four chilled salad plates.   Top with any vegetables you want to use as required.  (I used chopped peppers and spring onions)  Top each salad with three truffles.  Whisk or shake the dressing ingredients together again and drizzle some over each salad.   Pass any remaining dressing at the table.

6 comments

  1. It looks great..have you made a similar one in the past?
    I seem to have made one of yours..ringing a bell..then again..we have known each other so long!
    :)

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  2. I did do one about 3 years ago Monique for a Goats' Cheese company, using their cheese, stuffing them with liquere infused dried sour cherries and rolling them in toasted almonds. It had a balsamic vinaigrette. So similar but also different. Here's the link:

    http://theenglishkitchen.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/spring-salad-of-mixed-greens-goats.html

    Well spotted. I am happy you remembered it! I personally like this one better as I feel the cheese has a nicer texture to it. But then again I love Goats' cheese no matter what! We have known each other a long time for sure! It's great! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  3. This look beautiful Marie!!!
    hugss!!!! xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is another winner. As our heatwave continues, I'm all for something requiring minimal or no time spent over a hot stove. I loved the idea of the truffles and goat's cheese is always so good, so I knew I was on to a winner. I used salad greens, then also added some spring onion, diced red bell pepper, cucumber and beetroot (I saved some roasted beetroot from making the hummus the other day). The truffles were easy to do and looked great on the dish, plus the dressing was to die for - as a whole it was a terrific meal with no fuss. My kind of food preparation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am so pleased you enjoyed this Marie! I love those Goat's cheese truffles myself. I could eat a plate of them, but they are great in this salad look your additions. Beetroot goes especially good with goat's cheese! Now I am wanting some roasted beetroot! Thanks so much for taking the time, once again! xoxo

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