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Title: Herbed Baked Goat Cheese
Wine Pairing: Sparkling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris/Grigio
We Recommend: Balletto 2006 Pinot Gris
Pinot Noir Three Ways
Meal Type: Appetizer
Main Ingredient: Cheese
Ingredients: 3      ounces  Melba toasts , white (about 2 cups)
1      teaspoon  ground black pepper
3      large eggs
2      tablespoons  Dijon mustard
1      tablespoon  minced fresh thyme leaves 
1      tablespoon  fresh chives
12      ounces  goat cheese , firm
extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions: In food processor, process Melba toasts to fine even crumbs, about 1 1/2 minutes; transfer crumbs to medium bowl and stir in pepper. Whisk eggs and mustard in medium bowl until combined. Combine thyme and chives in small bowl.

Using kitchen twine or dental floss, divide cheese into 12 evenly sized pieces. Roll each piece into a ball; roll each ball in herbs to coat lightly. Transfer 6 pieces to egg mixture, turn each piece to coat; transfer to Melba crumbs and turn each piece to coat, pressing crumbs into cheese. Flatten each ball into disk about 1 1/2 inches wide and 1 inch thick and set on baking sheet. Repeat process with remaining 6 pieces cheese. Freeze cheese until firm, about 30 minutes. (Cheese may be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and frozen up to 1 week.) Adjust oven rack to uppermost position; heat to 475 degrees.

Remove cheese from freezer and brush tops and sides evenly with olive oil. Bake until crumbs are golden brown and cheese is slightly soft, 7 to 9 minutes (or 9 to 12 minutes if cheese is completely frozen). Using thin metal spatula, transfer cheese to paper towel-lined plate and cool 3 minutes.