There is an undeniable smug feeling that accompanies a compliment feeds your ego when you can’t walk more than five blocks without someone stopping you, “Excuse me, I love your dress, I have to know who makes it!?” You reply, “Whyy thank you” as you blush and bash your eyelashes. “It’s vintage – I picked it up at a random Goodwill in Albuquerque for a couple of bucks.” The returned praise is the ultimate.
this is exaclty how I felt when serving the fried goat cheese, citrus and avocado salad from ‘Two dudes, One Pan.’ For some reason, it blows people away even though it is cheap and takes less effort than walking through Barney’s to find an overly priced something to make you look good.
How to: Goat Cheese, Citrus and Avocado Salad
You will need:
1 8 ounce goat cheese log
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 large egg
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
2 Naval oranges
1 pink grapefruit (Oro Blanco if available)
1 small shallot, finely chopped
2 tablespoons grapeseed or canola oil
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups arugula
2 Haas avacados, pitted thinkly sliced.
1. Slice the goat cheese into 4 rounds and shape into mini hockey pucks. Make a little work station by placing the flour in a medium bowl. Whisk the egg with 2 tablesppons water in another bowl and place the panko bread crumgs in a third bowl.
2. Toss the goat cheese in the flour to coat. Tap off the excess flour and then submerge the cheese rounds in the egg wash. Transfer the goat cheese to the panko and press each disk in the bread crumbs, making sure the crumbs stick to the cheese. Place on a plate and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
3. For the dressing, add the shallots, sugar and 3 tablespoons citrus juices and whisk in the oils a little at a time. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
4. Place arugula on a plate, top with lightly salted avocados, oranges and grapefruit.
5. Heat the canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the breaded goat cheese rounds and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 4 minutes total. Place warm cheese on top of your salad, dress as you like and soak in the praise once served.
