Mixed Green Salad with Warm Goat Cheese Croutons Recipe
I realized I haven’t posted many recipes lately – partly because I haven’t been cooking or trying out any cool recipes as much as I should be. What can I say? It’s summer time!
So in order to get a little more consistent with my recipe postings, I’ve decided to join in on the Tasty Tuesday movement and share at least 1 delicious recipe with you all every Tuesday. If you get a chance to try any of these out, leave me a comment or drop a note to me on Facebook letting me know what you thought!
Today, I’m sharing a really refreshing recipe perfect for these summer days. If you love goat cheese as much as I do, you’re sure to be a fan of this Mixed Green Salad with Warm Goat Cheese Croutons recipe. Of course, the warm goat cheese croutons are the main focal point. They are substantial enough on their own to pair perfectly with a basic bed of mixed greens topped with a light drizzle of good olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar. They provide just enough warmth and crunch to elevate this otherwise everyday combination to a special treat.
- 8 oz. soft goat cheese room temperature
- 2 egg whites lightly beaten
- ½ cup Panko bread crumbs
- ½ cup coconut oil
- 4 cups of mixed greens of your choice
- 3 T. extra virgin olive oil
- 2 T. aged balsamic vinegar
- salt and cracked black pepper to taste
- 4 whole fresh strawberries for garnish (optional)
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To make croutons, divide goat cheese into four 2-oz. portions. Press each 2-oz piece of goat cheese between 2 sheets of wax paper until they are about ½” thick. Remove the top layer of wax to finish shaping the cheese into uniform round disks with your hands. Replace wax paper and place in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes or until the disks are firm.
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Create a “breading station” by adding whisked egg white to a shallow dish, and the Panko breadcrumbs to another. Once firm, dip each goat cheese round into the egg whites until coated on both sides. Then dip the coated goat cheese rounds into the Panko breadcrumbs. Make sure each goat cheese round is thoroughly covered in breadcrumbs on both sides.
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In a small saucepan, heat coconut oil over medium-high heat until it starts to “dance.” Carefully add each coated crouton to the pan with a slotted spatula and turn as soon as the first side becomes golden brown. Remove from oil as soon as second side is equally browned and set on a wire rack. Don’t allow croutons to stay in hot oil too long or the goat cheese will become too melted to hold its shape.
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Divide salad greens among 4 plates and drizzle with olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar. Top each plate with a warm goat cheese crouton and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
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With the hulls intact, slice each whole strawberry into several equal-sized segments, starting from the bottom and working toward the green part. Don’t cut all the way through the strawberry in the process, however. Gently spread the individual segments into a fan shape and place on top of each goat cheese crouton and serve.
So, if you get a chance to try it out, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Ahhhh! You had me at goat cheese crouton 🙂 This sounds and looks amazing!
Wonderful recipe! My husband would love that salad.
Warm goat cheese – while I have never had this type of cheese before, I can only imagine it’s gooeyness on a salad!
Goat cheese is delicious! You’ve got to try it!
I love salads especially during the summer and I always appreciate getting new recipes like this one! The goat cheese croutons sound amazing! This is definitely a keeper.
Salad is love! I love to try this, can you give me some! Just kidding, I will try this.
I definitely need to try this as a breakfast choice. It looks amazing and the recipe sounds like it would taste delicious.
I’d love to try this. I am a big fan of salad to this is a must-try for me.
I’m curious about how those taste. I really haven’t tried goat cheese much, but I’ll bet it gives a great flavor!
This is such a unique twist on a salad! I never thought to use goat cheese croutons… Sounds like it would be good!
What a delicious looking recipe, I’m a fan of croutons
Omg this salad looks amazing!!!!! I so need to give it a try!!!
I ADORE warm goat cheese croutons but have only had them in restaurants. Now I have a recipe to make my own. Watch out world! 🙂
Goat cheese is sooo delicious!! I am sure this is amazing. I will try it and find out for myself! Ha.
Mmm this looks tasty! Goat cheese too? Yes please!
Yay for salad! Yummy and healthy 100%
Thanks for sharing! I now have a new twist for my Salad 🙂
I cant remember having some goat cheese before and i wonder how it would make a difference in taste of the salad. One thing for sure though- i need to try to know.
This salad looks absolutely delicious and too yummy not to recreate. Thanks for the recipe