Crying Onions

This appetizer takes very little work, but despite it’s simplicity it oozes with class and elegance. It would be ideal for a dinner party because it can be put together ahead of time. But it’s also an easy way to add a bit of unexpected restaurant flare to a weeknight dinner. If you don’t have the energy to layer everything, I’m guessing that it would be equally delicious mixed together and served as a salad.

This dish was an experiment, and I was a bit hesitant to taste the results, even though they looked particularly beautiful. But roasted beets are highly underrated, and the pairing of their sweet earthy flavor with creamy goat cheese and bright, fresh orange is remarkable.

Makes 4 napoleons

What you need:

• 8 oz goat cheese, divided
• 2 tbsp bread crumbs
• splash milk
• 2 medium beets, washed very well (or peeled), sliced into 1/4 inch disks
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• salt and pepper
• 1 orange, cut into 1/4 inch disks, then peel cut off

What to do:

1. Cut off 4 1/2 inch circles of goat cheese. Coat these in breadcrumbs and stick them in the freezer. Mix the rest with a splash of milk and set aside in the refrigerator.
2. Place the sliced beets on a baking sheet (lined with aluminum foil for easy cleanup), and drizzle with the vegetable oil. Turn to coat and season both sides with salt and pepper. Roast in a 400F oven for 1 hr, flipping once halfway through.
3. When beets are cool enough to handle, place a beet on the plate. Top with a layer of the goat cheese mixture and then a slice of orange. Add another layer of goat cheese and then a second slice of beet. Set aside.
4. Add about 1/4 c oil to a small pan and heat until hot. Remove frozen goat cheese from freezer and stick the pieces into pan, cooking them on one side until it just starts to brown and then flipping. When both sides are brown, top each napoleon with one goat cheese “crouton.” Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Note: the goat cheese may still be frozen in the middle, this is fine and it should defrost by the time the appetizer is served.

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Tags: vegetarian

Posted September 21st, 2009 at 8:27 pm. Categories: appetizers. Leave a comment or trackback from your own site.