Herbed Goat Cheese Rounds

I love cheese.  As in love, Love, LOVE cheese.  I might not know too much about it, but I do know what I like...and goat cheese is a favorite of mine.

These little cheese rounds are very versatile.  Feel free to experiment with whatever cheeses you like-as long as they are semi-soft & can be formed into disks that will hold their shape.  Also, I highly recommend using panko bread crumbs, but please use what you have or prefer!  And experiment with the seasonings - it's ALL up to you!  This is just a starting point!

My cooking method works well when getting ready to throw something else into the oven.  Prepare the cheese, toss it in to bake while the oven heats, and whip up a salad.  By the time the oven is heated, these guys are done, and your first course can be enjoyed while the main dish is heating up.  We like these rounds with a simple spinach salad and vinaigrette.  Nothing fancy, but oh, so good!

Herbed Goat Cheese Rounds

by Chris

1/2 cup of garlic flavored panko crumbs (or use unseasoned crumbs and add your choice of spices and/or herbs)

1 (one) 4-ounce log of herbed goat cheese (or other semi- soft cheese of your choice)

2-3 Tablespoons of Sciabica's Mission Variety Spring Harvest Olive Oil

1.  Mix the bread crumbs with a drizzle of olive oil, just enough to coat them.  Place the bread crumbs on a foil-lined cookie sheet, and broil them on low for about 2-3 minutes, stirring after about one minute.  Watch them closely, as you do not want them to burn.  Let cool.

2.  If using a pre-formed log of cheese, simply slice the log into disks (I got 8 disks out of my 4 ounces of cheese).  If using another type of cheese, form your cheese into disks (about the size of a half dollar, with a thickness of approximately a 1/4”).

3.  Place the disks of cheese into a zip lock bag along with a couple of tablespoons of olive oil to marinate in the refrigerator.  Be sure to completely coat the disks with the oil.  The cheese needs to soak in the olive oil for at least 30 minutes, but I have found that you can leave them overnight for an even better flavor and consistency.

4.  When you are ready to assemble the cheese for baking, remove the disks, one at a time, from the olive oil.  Coat well with the pre-toasted and cooled breadcrumbs by gently dipping the disks into the breadcrumbs and using your hands to ensure that a thick layer of crumbs is adhered to the cheese rounds on all sides.

5.  Place the coated cheese rounds on a foil-covered, lightly greased cookie sheet.  Place the cookie sheet into an unheated oven and heat to 350°F.  By the time the oven is to temperature, the cheese should be warmed through and the coating should be nicely crisped.

6.  Serve and enjoy as soon as possible!