BLACK PEPPER AND CHILE BAKED GOAT CHEESE

Black Pepper and Chile Baked Goat Cheese image

Provided by Priya Krishna

Time 30m

Yield About 1 1/4 cups

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 teaspoon olive oil, plus 1 tablespoon, divided
1/4 cup walnut halves
Small pinch of kosher salt
One 10-ounce log fresh goat cheese
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon red chile powder

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
In a small nonstick pan over medium-low heat, warm 1 teaspoon of the olive oil. Once the oil begins to shimmer, add the walnuts and cook, stirring, until the walnuts are lightly browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and mix in the salt. Set aside.
In a bowl, mix together the goat cheese, garlic, and black pepper until homogenous. Transfer to a 6- or 8-inch round or rectangular baking dish (no need to pat the cheese down) and bake for 20 to 22 minutes, until the cheese is bubbling and browned along the edges. Let the goat cheese cool for 5 minutes, then drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle the red chile powder and sauteed walnuts over the top. This dip is best eaten immediately--it doesn't reheat very well.