Steak Cobb Salad w/ Shallot Vinaigrette

The unofficial start to summer that's just around the corner means the welcome return of Farmer's Markets and summer's bounties, outdoor gatherings and grilling along with more casual meals and entertaining. For me it's a time of year where freshly made, large, beautifully assembled salads are the perfect single course meal. The kind having a variety of textures and flavors that all work to compliment one another. And where every bite sings on your palate.

As much as I love the classic versions of certain salads, I like changing things up a bit. Inspired by the classic cobb salad, the Steak Cobb Salad w/ Shallot Vinaigrette has an even greater appeal and heartiness. Besides being one of those impressive, wow-factor salads, it is simple to make. 

Maybe one of the best parts of this salad recipe is its' adaptability and flexibility. Serving only a handful of people, simply decrease the amount of ingredients. Cherry tomatoes can be swapped out for thick slices of ripe heirloom tomatoes. Grilled filets of beef can be replaced by grilled ribeye. Jammy eggs can be used instead of the more traditional 11 minute hard boiled eggs. Instead of assembling the salad on a bed of the peppery baby arugula, make it on a bed of spring greens or large leaves of baby lettuce. In other words, the recipe below is meant to inspire you.

The Shallot Vinaigrette is light, bright, and incredibly delicious. Made with only a handful of ingredients, it quite possibly might become your new favorite salad dressing! 

The assembly and presentation of this salad matters as much as the quality and freshness of the ingredients. If you do a google search on cobb salads, you will literally find hundreds of different ways  in which they are plated. While I am partial to the way this Steak Cobb Salad is assembled as it makes serving really easy (think of serving the salad from lengthwise rows), you can arrange the ingredients in ways that might appeal to you more.

I would highly recommend doubling the recipe for the vinaigrette (because it's so gosh darn good) and serving it on the side. So everyone could drizzle on as much or as little as they want. 

I could easily put this salad on weekly or bi-monthly repeat forever (as I tend to fall hard for foods I love). This Steak Cobb Salad w/ Shallot Vinaigrette definitely ranks as one of those craveworthy, crowd pleasing salads! What better way to kick start the summer season!

Recipe

Steak Cobb Salad w/ Shallot Vinaigrette

Serves 6-8

Ingredients

Salad

4-6 hard boiled eggs, cut it half (or quartered)

1 large perfectly ripe avocado, halved, cut into slices

12-16 cherry tomatoes or 2-3 sliced heirloom tomatoes

1 medium red onion, very thinly sliced

2 ears of fresh corn, grilled, then cutting off the kernals

1/2 pound wedge blue cheese, cut into slices (e.g., Maytag, Point Reyes, etc)

12-16 ounces beef tenderloin (aka filet mignon) or ribeye, grilled to medium-rare (or medium), then cut into slices

4-6 handfuls of baby arugula

Kosher Salt and Black Pepper

Vinaigrette (recommend doubling the ingredient amounts)

1/2 cup good quality extra-virgin olive oil

3 Tablespoons aged red wine vinegar

1 Tablespoon dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 medium sized shallot, very thinly sliced

Kosher salt and black pepper for seasoning

Directions

Salad

1. On a large (12"x16") platter, sprinkle on 4-6 large handfuls of baby arugula.

2. Starting at the top, arrange your cobb salad in rows in this sequence: Hard boiled eggs, sliced avocado, blue cheese slices, sliced (warm) beef tenderloin (aka filet mignon), grilled corn, tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion.

3. Lightly sprinkle with Kosher salt and black pepper.

4. Serve the Shallot Vinaigrette on the side.

Vinaigrette

1. In a small-medium bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, dijon mustard, Kosher salt, and black pepper.

2. Slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil and blend until the dressing is emulsified.

3. Stir in the very thinly sliced shallots.

Notes: (1) I can't make any recommended swaps for the grilled corn. Boiled corn on the cob or canned corn doesn't have the same flavor profile. (2) Because it's a steak cobb salad, I am also not offering up any other protein alternatives. Having said that, grilled salmon would pair well with the other flavors in the salad. (3) Highly recommend using a mandolin for cutting the shallots and red onion. (4) Many grocery stores have regular sales on filet mignon and ribeyes. When you see them, pick them up and freeze them. You will be happy you did.

Cucumber Elderflower Cosmo

It's been a fun, adventurous, memorable, exhilarating couple of weeks. From first traveling to bucolic Little Compton RI, a place that always feels like home, to traveling to Colorado, a place that never fails to fill me with great joy, I ran myself ragged. So it's not surprising that I caught a cold. More like bronchitis. But hey, doesn't everyone hike in the mountains when they are sick? With only four days to take in as much of the jaw-dropping beauty of nature, nothing was about to slow me down. Fortunately for me I traveled to Colorado with a friend who put up with my compromised hearing and hacking. While many travel to new places each year, I tend to like returning to beloved, familiar places. Although unlike my previous trips back to RI and Colorado, there were new places to experience and discover this time. From walking through thousands of blooming daffodils at Parsons Reserve in Dartmouth, MA, to a day trip to Marblehead, MA, to a breathtaking five mile hike from Little Compton to Westport, MA, to new hiking trails in RMNP and Breckenridge, CO, to having incredible meals at both new and familiar places, I am hoping my state of blissful happiness lingers on for awhile longer. 

While in RI, I had dinner one night with Kathy, a good friend I met through Instagram more than a few years ago. In addition to catching up on our life stories, I learned about the new favorite cocktail she recently recreated. A Cucumber Elderflower Cosmos. From her description alone, I was sold. I immediately knew I needed to make one (or two or three) when I returned back home. It would be more than a week before I discovered how the crisp flavor of cucumber combined with the sweetness of the elderflower, the tartness of the lime and cranberry juices come together to create a really light, refreshing, thirst quenching cocktail. The kind perfect to sip and savor on a hot day.  

Up until Kathy told me about the Cucumber Elderflower Cosmo I didn't even know such thing as a cucumber vodka existed. Rather than muddling cucumber with vodka or letting cucumber infuse in vodka to create a cucumber vodka, Effen Vodka sells one. Which makes it even easier to make this impressive, seductive cocktail.

Think of the Cucumber Elderflower Cosmo as an elegant, elevated version of the classic cosmopolitan. The floral notes of the elderflower pair perfectly with the slightly herbal cucumber vodka. While the addition of the lime and cranberry juices add a hint of tartness. Those are the four ingredients used in Kathy's recipe. After enjoying my first ever Cucumber Elderflower Cosmo, I couldn't help but wonder what difference the addition of some Grand Marnier (or Triple Sec) would make. So, of course, I had to fiddle with her recipe a bit (because that's what I do).

In all honesty, I loved the Cucumber Elderflower Cosmo made both without and with the addition of the Grand Marnier. So I suggest you make both versions and decide for yourself which one is your favorite.  The only other decision you need to make is whether to serve the cosmo in a cocktail, coupe or martini glass. 

Garnishing the Cucumber Elderflower Cosmo with a thin slice of a baby cucumber definitely adds to the allure of this cocktail. In addition to giving it a high-end, cutting edge crafted cocktail look, it makes for a delicious bite. I used a mandolin to create the beautiful, thin slices, but you could easily use a knife.

Little did I know I would bring back more than photographs, memories, and (regrettably) a very bad cold from my recent adventures. Being generously gifted a recipe for a new cocktail from a friend definitely ranks as one of the best ever 'souvenirs'. However, more treasured than the refreshing (slightly lethal) Cucumber Elderflower Cosmo recipe is my friendship with Kathy. While we only have dinner together once every couple of years, it always feels as if no time had passed between visits. A simple reminder that the benefits and joys of returning to favorite, familiar places are endless.

Recipe

Cucumber Elderflower Cosmo (inspired by my friend Kathy Reis)

Makes 1 lethally refreshing cocktail

Ingredients

2 ounces chilled Cucumber Vodka

1 ounce elderflower liqueur (St. Germaine or Belvoir Fruit Farms Elderflower Cordial)

1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice

A splash, 1/2 ounce or 1 ounce of 100% cranberry juice (see notes)

Optional, but really good: A generous splash or 1/2 ounce of Grand Marnier or Triple Sec

Ice Cubes

Sliced mini cucumbers for garnish

Sliced lime for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. Add the cucumber vodka, elderflower liqueur, lime juice, cranberry juice and Grand Marnier (if using) to a shaker. Add in 10-12 ice cubes. 

2. Shake vigorously for 30-35 seconds.

3. Strain into a cocktail glass filled with ice. OR strain into a coupe or martini glass.

4. Garnish with a thinly sliced miniature cucumber (using either a mandolin or sharp knife) and/or slice of lime.

5. Sip and savor.

6. And as always, drink responsibly.

Notes: (1) Effen makes a great Cucumber Vodka. For the most optimal flavor, I keep my vodka in the freezer. (2) St. Germaine is an elderflower liqueur. I made the cocktail using both St. Germain and Belvoir Fruit Farms Elderflower Cordial and liked the later one slightly more. (3) There are three options for the cranberry juice. Very light, light, and medium light. Choose the amount you like best. I liked the cocktail made with 1/2 ounce of the cranberry juice. (4) The addition of the splash of Grand Marnier (or Triple Sec) is my add to Kathy's recipe. It's optional, but a deliciously worthy addition.

Chautauqua, Boulder, Colorado (May 2023)

Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colorado (May 2023)

Chicken Parmesan

Whether you call it Chicken Parmesan or Chicken Parmigiana doesn't really matter. They are the same thing. Mouthwatering deliciousness served either over fettuccini (my favorite pasta for this dish) or in a lightly toasted roll may be one of the most satisfying, flavorful dishes on the planet. Because seriously, what is not to love about a fried panko crusted chicken cutlet smothered in a luscious marinara sauce and topped with melted fresh mozzarella and freshly grated Parmigiano-Regianno?

Quite possibly the only reason you wouldn't put this dish near the top of one of your favorite comfort food meals is that you have been underwhelmed by ones you have tasted in a restaurant. And I get that. After years of being disappointed by the chicken parmesan served in a variety of restaurants (even in some good Italian ones), I am extremely hesitant to order it when dining out. But making Chicken Parmesan at home is a completely different story.  Here's the good news. You no longer have to settle for mediocrity or good enough. Because now can have the most spectacular, incredibly scrumptious, seriously craveworthy homemade version! This cheesy, crispy, hearty, saucy dish is one of those rare rustic, yet elegant dishes that is as much family dinner friendly as it is both Sunday supper and dinner party worthy. If there was ever a dish to put on regular repeat rather than relegating it only to special occasions, this is the one!

Served with a beautiful salad, some thickly sliced fresh Italian bread, and a great wine, a platter of Chicken Parmesan set over a bed of fettuccini is the makings of one of the most impressive, satisfying meals you can serve to your family and friends.

When it comes to breading the pounded, skinless, boneless chicken breasts (aka cutlets), there are no shortage of opinions as to which type of breading is best. Freshly made breadcrumbs, canned breadcrumbs, or Panko-style breadcumbs each have their own fan club. For me, it's Panko-style breadcrumbs as they add the right about of crispiness and crunch to the fried chicken breast. And rather than open up jars of dried spices to season plain panko bread crumbs, I prefer using (Italian) seasoned panko and adding additonal some garlic powder and freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese to further boost the flavor.

Keys to getting a perfectly cooked, crisp, yet moist chicken cutlet include: (1) pounding the chicken breasts to a 1/2" thickness; (2) dredging the cutlets in flour, then egg, then panko breadcrumbs; (3) frying in olive oil; and (4) cooking the cutlets (in batches) in a cast iron skillet for approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Follow those simple rules and your golden brown Chicken Parmesan cutlets will be next level amazing!

If you have a favorite marinara sauce recipe, use it. But also feel free to use a high quality jarred marinara sauce (i.e., Rao's). It may sound a bit sacrilegious to even suggest using a jarred marinara sauce when making Chicken Parmesan, but there is much to be said about semi-homemade dishes. I mean, if Ina Garten (food goddess extraordinaire) can, well you can too! While the recipe below calls for only 24 ounces of marinara, I highly recommend you either make or buy more to serve warm on the side. As there will be some who like an even saucier Chicken Parmesan.

But when it comes to the mozzarella, use only fresh mozzarella for the absolute best flavor. Either the prepackaged one or the one you buy at your favorite specialty grocery store will work perfectly. Do not buy the ones labeled as low-moisture or low-fat mozzarella (this falls into the strong opinion category). 

When baking the Chicken Parmesan, begin by putting a layer of the marinara on the bottom of the heatproof baking dish before adding in the cooked chicken cutlets. Next, top with the slices of the fresh mozzarella. Finish with the marinara and freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Bake the dish for 10 minutes at 400 degrees (F), then increase the oven temperature to 500 degrees (F) and bake for an additional 3-5 minutes or until you can see that the cheese has melted. Remove from the oven, top with more freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, some freshly chopped parsley and maybe even some fresh basil. Note: When baking the Chicken Parmesan, make certain to use a baking dish that can hold up to high temperatures. 

There are many ways to serve this Chicken Parmesan. You can serve it directly from the baking dish (with pasta on the side) for a casual, slightly rustic presentation. You can serve it over a bed of cooked fettuccini tossed in olive oil (or marinara) for a kind of wow factor presentation. Or you can serve it on lightly toasted Italian rolls for a casual, yet hearty lunch option. The choice is all yours! 

Recipe

Chicken Parmesan

Serves 6-8

Ingredients

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (approximately 2 pounds), pounded to 1/2" thickness and cut in up to 8-9 even sized pieces

1/2 cup (65g) all-purpose flour + 1 teaspoon Kosher salt + 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 cup (88g) Italian seasoned Panko + 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder + 3 Tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Regianno

3 large eggs + 1 Tablespoon water

1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for finishing

1 pound (453g) fresh mozzarella, cut into generous 1/4" slices

24 ounces (680g) jarred marinara, highly recommend Rao's - SEE NOTES

1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Regianno, divided (plus more for finishing)

1 pound (454g) fettuccini cooked to your liking and tossed with olive oil when placed on the platter

Fresh basil leaves and chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees (F).

2. Set up your dredging assembly line: (1) shallow bowl with flour, Kosher salt and black pepper whisked together (2) eggs whisked with water and (3) Panko mixed with garlic powder and Parmigiano-Regianno.

3. Coat both sides of the chicken breasts with flour (shake off excess). Dip into the egg mixture. Lastly dredge in the panko mixture. Transfer to a sheet pan and repeat until all of the chicken cutlets have been coated.

4. In a cast iron skillet, heat 1/4 cup of olive oil over medium heat. Placing 2 -3 pieces of the chicken in the pan at a time, cook 2-3 minutes per side or until lightly golden. Repeat until all pieces of the chicken have been cooked.

5. Pour approximately 1/3 of the marinara sauce on the bottom of a large heatproof baking dish. Arrange the cooked chicken cutlets on top of the sauce. Top each of the breasts with the sliced fresh mozzarella cheese. Spoon the remaining sauce over the tops of the cheese and chicken. Sprinkle on some grated Parmigiano-Regianno.

6. Bake for 10 minutes at 400 degrees (F). Increase the oven temperature to 500 (F) and cook for another 3-5 minutes or until the cheese has melted.

7. Remove from the oven. Grate more Parmigiano-Regianno on top, lightly drizzle with some olive oil, and garnish with fresh basil and parsley. Serve with the cooked fettuccini either lightly tossed with olive oil or additional marinara.

8. Alternate serving options: (1) Place cooked pasta on a large serving platter. Top with the chicken parmesan.  Grate some additional Parmigiano-Regianno on top, lightly drizzle with some olive oil, and garnish with fresh basil and parsley. (2) Make Chicken Parmesan sandwiches using lightly toasted Italian Rolls.

Notes: (1) Highly recommend having another 12-20 ounces or more of marinara sauce, heated and served on the side. The extra sauce can be used to toss with the pasta or slather on bread. (2) I tossed my fettuccini in olive oil before putting on the platter and served the extra sauce on the side. (3) I used BelGioioso presliced fresh mozzarella cheese here.

Sakonnet Vineyard, Little Compton, RI (April 2023)

Herbed Tuna, Pea & Pasta Salad

It's been more than a hot minute since I posted a recipe for a main dish salad. But like the old adage says 'some things are worth the wait'! And in all honesty, the timing of sharing this recipe (one you are destined to put on repeat) could not be more ideal. With warmer temperatures finally arriving, cravings for cold, scrumptiously satisfying salads seem to go into overdrive. And for those of you looking for a new way to combine your loves of albacore tuna and salad, this Herbed Tuna, Pea & Pasta Salad is one worthy of rewarding your patience. If there was ever a tuna salad worthy of an endless litany of accolades, this version would be the one.

This Herbed Tuna, Pea and Pasta Salad might just rank up there as one of the best tuna pasta salads you will ever have. What could more perfect than an incredibly delicious, refreshing salad made of freshly chopped herbs, peas, celery, red onion, and albacore tuna all mixed together with a great real mayonnaise? Sharing it with friends is my guess. 

With so many different things competing for our time and attention, who doesn't want a recipe for a salad that can be made early in the day or even the night before? Resting and chilling time is necessary for the flavors to fully develop.

There are many tuna pasta salads out there using a variety of pastas. But in my opinion, farfalle or bowtie pasta is the absolute BEST choice for this salad. Not only does it hold the dressing well, it is aesthetically one of the most pleasing pastas to ever grace a platter. When the time comes for you to make this salad, start with cooking the pasta as it needs some time to cool down before being mixed in with the other ingredients.

This particular combination of ingredients is destined to be a timeless classic. With a milder flavor and firmer texture white albacore tuna is the best choice for salads in general, but for this one in particular. Choose an albacore tuna packed in water not oil. After draining the tuna, use a fork to break up into chunks (do not mash the tuna) so when it's mixd together there will be some nice sized bites. Frozen peas, either briefly rinsed under hot water or briefly dipped in the pasta water, are the optimal choice. Canned peas are too mushy and fresh peas require some cooking time. 

The chopped fresh parsley, dill, and chives are the herb trifecta in this salad. Each bringing a different kind of savoriness to the salad. Celery and onions add both crunch and flavor. While I prefer the flavor minced red onions brings to the salad, you could also use shallots. And, last but not least, let's talk about mayonnaise, real mayonnaise. Hellman's is my go to in salads. In other parts of the country it's packaged under the name of Best Foods Mayonnaise. Duke's is another real mayonnaise option. Miracle Whip is not an option. Helpful Hint: The pasta will absorb some of the mayonnaise (especially if you make it the night before) and affect the salad's creaminess. You can solve that problem by adding in another 1/4 cup of mayonnaise when you get ready to serve it. Additionally, take the salad out of the refrigerator at least 15 minutes before you get ready to serve it for the optimal eating experience.

The salad ingredients are blended together in three stages. First, the mayonnaise, Kosher salt, pepper, and herbs are whisked together. Followed by mixing in the tuna, peas, celery and onions. Lastly, the cooked pasta gets folded in until it's well coated. How easy is all of that? 

The finished salad can be garnished with some additional minced dill and chopped chives. Sprigs of fresh parsley and halved sugar snap peas make for a beautiful, but optional finishing touch garnish. 

The recipe makes enough to serve at least eight. However, it can easily be halved if you have a small household. Or make the full recipe, package half of it up and deliver to a friend!

Not sure why it has taken me so long to be someone who gets overly excited about salads. But this exceptional salad has me shifting my allegiances. I wouldn't be surprised if this gorgeous, game-changing Herbed Tuna, Pea & Pasta Salad becomes one of your most favorite crowd pleasing dishes! Even those who normally wouldn't choose a salad as a main dish or aren't big fans of salads in general will be surprised at how filling, flavorful, and delicious it is! You even might be surprised at how quickly it disappears.

 

Recipe

Herbed Tuna, Pea & Pasta Salad

Serves at least 8

Ingredients

16 ounces (454g) Farfalle Pasta (highly recommend Rummo #85 Farfalle)

2 to 2 1/4 cups mayonnaise (begin with 2 cups, add more if you want it creamier)

1 cup (138g) diced celery (from about 4 stalks)

2/3 cup (85g) diced red onion (from about 1/2 of a large red onion)

3-4 Tablespoons freshly minced parsley

3-4 Tablespoons freshly minced chives

2 Tablespoons freshly minced dill

2 cups (330g) frozen green peas (rinsed in hot water or briefly dipped in the hot pasta water)

2 cans (5 ounce/142g sized) Albacore Wild Tuna, drained and broken into pieces (e.g., Wild Planet)

1 1/4 teaspoons Kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon white pepper (or can use black pepper)

Optional: Sugar Snap Peas and additional chopped herbs for garnish

Directions

1. Cook the farfalle according to package directions. Rinse, drain, and set aside to cool.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, parsley, chives, dill, Kosher salt and pepper until blended.

3. Add in the celery, red onion, green peas, and tuna. Mix to blend.

4. Add in the cooked pasta. Use a spatula to mix everything together.

5. Transfer the Herbed Tuna, Pea and Pasta Salad to a serving dish. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

6. Take the salad out of the refrigerator at least 15 minutes before serving. Give it a good stir and add the additional 1/4 of mayonnaise, if needed. Garnish the salad with some chopped chives, minced dill, chopped parsley, and (optional) halved snap peas.

 

Notes: (1) This was the tuna I used in salad. It's packed in water, not oil. (2) This was the pasta from Rummo I used. (3) If you don't like red onions, use shallots. (4) Use only fresh, not dried herbs in this salad. 

Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL (April 2023)

Whipped Goat Cheese w/ Honey Balsamic Fig Jam Crostini

Over the course of the next several weeks I will be heading back to two of my happy places. From ocean to mountain views, to exploring historic places, to spending time with friends, the anticipation of it all is keeping me awake at night. While my bucket list of places I would someday like to visit is long, the joy I feel when returning to beloved places is almost indescribable. Invariably there is always something new to discover or experience in the places feeling as intimately familiar to me as the town I live in. In spite of being one 'of those people' who likes trips with plans (always a plan a and plan b), my daily itineraries are still in development. Not because of procrastination, but because there are quite a few things I hope to squeeze in on these trips. If only the airline froze their rules sometime in 90's, I could bring a few bottles of my favorite wine and all of the ingredients for this Whipped Goat Cheese w/ Honey Balsamic Fig Jam Crostini. As this appetizer would make the perfect start to any trip, to any weekend, to any gathering.

If there was one new appetizer to add to your entertaining repertoire this year, it should be absolutely be this Whipped Goat Cheese w/ Honey Balsamic Fig Jam Crostini!

Not only is it easy to make, it's incredibly delicious. It's the kind of appetizer that can literally be whipped up in less than ten minutes. 

Chevre goat cheese has a bright, slightly tart, tangy flavor. When whipped with some extra virgin olive oil and drizzled with honey, the contrast of flavors is sublime. Whipping the goat cheese transforms it into the creamiest, dreamiest texture. Ideal for spreading on homemade crostini or crackers.

While the whipped chevre goat cheese topped with honey is scrumptious all on its' own, it's becomes epic when topped with a warm honey, an aged balsamic vinegar, fig jam mixture. Chopped praline pecans (or roasted pecans), flaky sea salt, and freshly chopped thyme leaves are the ideal finishing touches. 

When buying chevre goat cheese, fig jam and praline pecans, Trader Joe's is my go to place. No worries if you don't have one near you, because all of these ingredients are readily available at most grocery stores. If you can't find praline pecans, you have two options. You can make them (see notes) or you can simply roast pecan halves in your oven. The pecans add a nice bit of crunch to each bite. 

Homemade crostini can be made in the oven or on the grill. A baguette cut into 1/4" slices and brushed on both sides with olive oil is easily made either way. But again, if you don't have time to make your own crostini, serve the Whipped Goat Cheese w/ Honey Balsamic Fig Jam with some of your favorite crackers. Because when it comes to this appetizer, choose what brings you joy! 

The creamy whipped chevre goat cheese topped with honey balsamic fig jam slathered on a crostini is a combination of flavors and textures is pure bliss. And an appetizer destined to get you rave reviews from friends and family!

Recipe

Whipped Goat Cheese w/ Honey Balsamic Fig Jam Crostini

Ingredients

8.5 ounces (241g) chevre goat cheese, slightly softened

2 Tablespoons olive oil

1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt

1/2 cup (139g) fig jam, spread, or preserves

2 Tablespoons of honey, divided

1 Tablespoon aged balsamic vinegar

1 Tablespoon freshly chopped thyme, plus a few sprigs for garnishing

1/4 cup (43g) praline pecans or toasted pecans, coarsely chopped

Flaky sea salt, for finishing

Crostini or crackers

Directions

1. In a small food processor, combine the goat cheese, olive oil, and flaky sea salt. Process until smooth and creamy.

2. Spread the whipped goat cheese on a 7" plate. Drizzle one tablespoon of honey over the top of the whipped cheese. Set aside.

3. In a small saucepan, add i the one tablespoon of honey, jam, and balsamic vinegar. Over low-medium heat, whisk the mixture until well blended and heated through (about 5 minutes)

4. Spoon the honey, balsamic, fig jam mixture over the top of the cheese.

5. Top with the chopped pecans, thyme and a light sprinkling of flaky sea salt.

6. Serve immediately with homemade crostini or crackers.

Notes: (1) If making your own praline pecans, use this recipe and omit the cinnamon. 

Cantigny Park, Wheaton, Il (April 2023)