Tomato & Drunken Goat Cheese Salad

RATE IT

read reviews [4]

Serves six as a starter

To learn more, read:
Small Plates, Mexican Style
by Sue Torres
from Fine Cooking
Issue 94
Last Edit Date: 7/22/2011 2:11:08 PM

more about:

1/4 cup sunflower or vegetable oil
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tsp. pure chile powder, such as ancho, chile de arbol, or guajillo
Pinch garlic powder
Two 8-inch flour tortillas
Kosher salt
6 medium firm-ripe beefsteak or heirloom tomatoes, cored and cut crosswise into 1/3-inch slices
1/4 lb. drunken goat cheese, thinly sliced
Freshly ground black pepper
2 cups baby arugula or mâche
One-half lime

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat oven to 350°F.

In a small saucepan, combine the oils, chile powder, and garlic powder. Warm over medium-low heat until the oil becomes rust-colored and fragrant, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

With a pastry brush, lightly coat both sides of the tortillas with the chile oil. Cut each tortilla into 6 triangles, arrange the triangles in a single layer on a baking sheet, and sprinkle the tops with salt. Bake until crisp, 15 to 18 minutes, flipping the chips halfway through baking.

Divide the tomatoes among six large salad plates, fanning them out in a circle. Tuck the cheese slices between the tomatoes and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss the arugula or mâche with 1 Tbs. of the chile oil, squeeze a little lime juice over, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Drizzle some of the remaining oil over the tomatoes and cheese (you won't need it all), mound the greens in the center of each plate, and arrange two tortilla chips to the side. Serve immediately.

Photo: Scott Phillips

Rate this Recipe and View Reviews

user reviews
made it?
RATE IT!

by sschnarr, 8/19/2010I had a little difficulty finding Drunken Goat cheese where I live (rural Ontario) but it was well worth it. Wonderful!

by cphilip, 9/16/2009Drunken Goat is a spanish semi-soft cheese that has been soaked in red wine for about 2 days. Bit unfair, don't you think, to rate a recipe 1 star because you don't understand it.

by cookingqueen2, 8/14/2008Loved this salad. Nice combination of tastes and textures!

by GrammaVal, 8/13/2008Exactly what is "Drunken Goat Cheese"? I suppose if you are a die hard "foodie" you should know this; however, I don't, hence this recipe is just a mexican version of tomatoes and italian buffallo mozzarella. Cacique cheeses are available - do you suppose it's one of them? Val Joyner PS - why offer "no stars" as an option, when your site won't allow this to be a choice?