WARM ALMOND CRUSTED MANCHEGO CHEESE WITH HOT GARLIC VINAIGRETTE AND SLIVERED ALMONDS

Warm Almond Crusted Manchego Cheese with Hot Garlic Vinaigrette and Slivered Almonds image

Provided by Bobby Flay

Time 30m

Yield 2 appetizer servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 large egg
1 tablespoon water
1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
2 tablespoons ground almonds
1 (8-ounce) slice manchego cheese, about 1-inch thick
2 tablespoons olive oil
Hot Garlic Vinaigrette, recipe follows
1/4 cup slivered almonds, lightly toasted
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup olive oil
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 tablespoons aged sherry vinegar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

Set up 3 bowls: 1 with flour seasoned with salt and pepper, 1 with egg and 1 tablespoon of water and seasoned with salt and pepper, and 1 with the bread crumbs and ground almonds.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
Cut cheese into 2 equal pieces. Dredge the cheese first in the flour, then in the egg wash, and finally in the bread crumbs. Place the cheese in a small cazuela, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Bake in the oven for 5 to 7 minutes or until golden brown and the cheese is soft. Immediately drizzle with the Hot Garlic Vinaigrette and sprinkle with slivered almonds and parsley. Serve with warm crusty bread.
Heat oil over low heat in small saute pan. Add garlic and cook until light golden brown. Remove from heat and whisk in the vinegar. Season with salt and pepper.