Blackberries & Strawberries with Goat Cheese

Posted 08/31/10 by ChefSnowball
Rating:	Not yet rated
Views:	45
Venues:	Cheese Produce & All Things Green Spices & Herbs
Categories:	Basil Cayenne Pepper Chevre and Goat Cheeses Cumin Fruit Mint Mustard Pepper Thyme Vegetables
Sub Categories:	Leafy Greens Nuts Onion Family Other Strawberries & more
Keywords:	salad, blackberry, strawberry, goat cheese, shallot
Servings:	4

Ingredients:

For the pecans:
2 cups pecans
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground cayenne

For the dressing:
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon minced shallot
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon honey
1 cup canola oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the salad
8 ounces mixed greens
8 ounces blackberries
8 ounces strawberries, sliced
2 teaspoons chiffonade of mint
2 teaspoons chiffonade of basil
4 tablespoons goat cheese
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a bowl, toss together the pecans, sugar, salt, cumin, cayenne and one tablespoon water. Spread the mixture on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.

To make the dressing, combine the vinegar, shallot, mustard, thyme and honey in a blender. Slowly add the oil in a stream and blend until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper.

To plate each serving, gently toss together two ounces mixed greens, 2 ounces each blackberries and strawberries, 1/2 teaspoon mint, 1/2 teaspoon basil, 1 tablespoon goat cheese and 1 ounce of the candied pecans with 2 tablespoons of the dressing. Season with salt and pepper.

Please log in to dish on this post.