BAKED GOAT'S CHEESE WITH HAZELNUT CRUST & BALSAMIC ONIONS

Baked goat's cheese with hazelnut crust & balsamic onions image

This simple breaded cheese can be made ahead and frozen, ready to use as a starter for a dinner party with friends

Provided by Good Food team

Time 55m

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

3 x 100g goat's cheese (we used Capricorn)
50g hazelnuts , chopped
25g breadcrumbs
2 eggs , beaten
red chicory leaves, rocket and watercress , to serve
3 tbsp olive oil
3 red onions , halved and thinly sliced
4 tbsp balsamic vinegar
4 tbsp mild-flavoured clear honey

Steps:

Halve the goat's cheeses horizontally and mix the nuts with the crumbs. Coat the cheese in the egg, then the nut mixture. Mark the cut side of the cheese with a large piece of nut to show which side up it should be.
For the onions, heat the oil in a non-stick pan, then add the onions. Stir well and cook for 10 mins until softened and starting to turn golden. Tip in the balsamic vinegar and honey, season and stir over the heat until syrupy. If freezing, open-freeze the cheeses until solid, then wrap individually with cling film and foil. Pack the onions into a freezer bag once cool. To defrost, thaw the onions and warm gently in a pan.
To cook and serve, heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Place the cheese on a sheet of baking parchment on a baking tray and bake for 20 mins. If you're baking from frozen, add another 5 mins.
Arrange the salad leaves on plates and spoon the onions on top. Add the goat's cheese, drizzle with any juice from the onions and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 366 calories, Fat 28 grams fat, SaturatedFat 11 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 17 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 12 grams sugar, Fiber 1 grams fiber, Protein 14 grams protein, Sodium 1.05 milligram of sodium