Fried Goat Cheese! (over salad, of course)

Not much to say .... this picture speaks for itself. :)

Why should I have to wait to enjoy fried goat cheese at a restaurant? I have an abundance of the stuff sitting in my fridge...my next move is obvious.. let's try this at home. I couldn't have been more pleased. This is SO easy. 

Ingredients

(1 serving)

3oz soft goat's milk cheese 

1 egg

1/3 cup flour

1/3 cup panko bread crumbs

dried herbs -- I used lemon thyme (try parsley, sage etc.)

1/2 tsp white pepper (smells horrible! but tastes good)

ground black pepper, to taste

salt, to taste

olive oil

Directions

1. I sliced a log of goat cheese into 1/4 inch thick rounds. The cheese may start to crumble a bit - no problem, gently pat it back on. Works kind of like play dough. You can also form the cheese into balls or what ever shape you would like (squares, or pat out a big piece and use a cookie cutter to make festive shapes)
2. Put flour in a bowl. Set aside
3. Scramble your egg in a bowl. Set aside.
4. In a separate bowl combine panko bread crumbs, white pepper, black pepper, salt and dried herbs. Set aside. You should have your ingredients in this order: Cheese plate, flour, egg, panko.
5.  Dip the disks into the flour, then the egg and then the panko mixture. Repeat for all rounds.
6.  In a sauce pan, pour enough olive oil to cover the bottom. (vegetable oil will due but it doesn't give the fine flavor olive oil will). Heat to about 350 or until oil is glistening. 
7. Pan fry the cheese until golden - about 1 min each side.

I would recommend making these last minute so they're still HOT and gooey when you sit down to eat!

Serve over mixed field greens with sliced pears, cucumbers and pan seared pancetta; top with sliced almonds. I made a cucumber ranch sauce to go over my salad -- typically fried goat cheese is paired with a vinaigrette or fruity flavors but the ranch complemented it just as well. I would not recommend ready-made store bought ranch. Here's a quick shortcut: 16oz sour cream, 1 whole cucumber, peeled, 1 packet ranch dressing mix (or other herbs, as you prefer). Puree in a blender. Voila, ranch - way better than the thick gook you get in a bottle. Serve with french bread and wine.

Fried goat cheese would also pair well with marinara or certain chutneys and some french bread. mmm...divine.  Bon Appetite!