MARINATED CHERRY PEPPERS STUFFED WITH HOMEMADE GOAT CHEESE SERVED WITH A PROSCIUTTO AND ARUGULA SALAD

Marinated Cherry Peppers Stuffed with Homemade Goat Cheese Served with a Prosciutto and Arugula Salad image

Provided by Emeril Lagasse

Time 8h20m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

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1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
1/2 cup chopped fresh herbs (rosemary, basil, thyme, marjoram, oregano, chives, etc.)
8 cups washed arugula leaves
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onions
8 very thin slices proscuitto
1/2 pound homemade goat cheese, recipe follows
Salt and white pepper
16 marinated cherry peppers (canned variety works best), drained, rinsed and dried
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 gallon goat's milk (unpasteurized)
1 quart buttermilk
3/4 teaspoon rennet liquid or 1 tablet rennet (available in health food stores)
Olive oil, for seasoning
Salt
Pepper

Steps:

Whisk marinade ingredients together in a non-reactive bowl and set aside.
With a sharp paring knife, remove stem and core of peppers and dry them well with paper towels.
In a small bowl, mix goat cheese with salt and pepper, to taste. Carefully fill each pepper with goat cheese and place in a shallow non-reactive casserole dish or bowl. Cover with marinade and refrigerate overnight before serving. (For an interesting twist, dip in beer batter and fry)
When ready to serve, remove cherry peppers from marinade and set aside. Using a spatula, transfer marinade to a large bowl, add Arugula and sliced onions and toss well to combine. Divide salad between 8 salad plates, top with a piece of proscuitto and garnish with stuffed peppers.
In a large non-reactive saucepan, combine goat's milk, buttermilk, and rennet. Heat over low heat to 180 degrees. Transfer to a non-reactive bowl and allow to sit overnight, covered, until curd and whey separate. Line a colander with several layers of cheesecloth and ladle curds into colander. Discard whey. Fold cheesecloth over top of curd and allow to drain overnight, refrigerated. Remove from cheesecloth and season to taste with olive oil, salt and pepper.