Cheese basket with salad, zucchini with goat cheese foam and speck with black radish foam and walnut

Cheese cups with salad, zucchini with goat cheese foam, and speck with black radish and walnut foam

Preparation time: 1 hour
Baking time: 5 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 5 minutes
Number of servings: 4

Introduction
Discover an elegant and sophisticated recipe that combines the delicate flavors of goat cheese, the crunchy texture of speck, and the freshness of vegetables. This appetizer, perfect for festive gatherings or romantic dinners, will impress your guests with its refined appearance and varied tastes. Each component of this dish is designed to bring a touch of creativity to the plate, and the combination of ingredients will delight your senses. Let's get started!

Ingredients

For the cheese cups with salad:
- 60 g salty cheese (homemade)
- Salad mix: iceberg, arugula, baby spinach, lamb's lettuce
- 8 cherry tomatoes
- 2 slices of goat cheese
- Olive oil
- Herbs de Provence

For zucchini with goat cheese foam:
- 2 small zucchinis
- 100 ml heavy cream (La Dorna, 32% fat)
- 60 g goat cheese
- 2 sun-dried tomatoes preserved in oil
- Lemon and pepper mix
- Salt
- Butter

For speck with black radish and walnut foam:
- 40 g speck (4 slices)
- 100 ml heavy cream (La Dorna, 32% fat)
- 1 black radish
- 5 walnut halves
- Salt
- Chopped chives

Step by step

Preparing the cheese cups
1. Grate the cheese: Use a fine grater to grate the salty cheese. This will help the cheese melt evenly in the oven.
2. Form the cups: Divide the grated cheese evenly into two silicone molds, forming circular discs. Make sure the cheese is distributed evenly.
3. Bake the cheese: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius. Place the molds in the oven and carefully watch as the cheese starts to melt and turn golden, a process that should take about 5 minutes.
4. Shape the cups: Once the cheese is golden around the edges, remove the molds from the oven. Place each cheese disc over an upside-down ramekin and gently press the edges to form the cup. Let cool and harden overnight.

Preparing the goat cheese foam
1. Prepare the zucchinis: Peel the zucchinis and slice them very thinly lengthwise.
2. Sauté the zucchinis: In a pan, add a little olive oil and sauté the zucchini slices until golden. Remove them onto a paper towel to absorb excess oil.
3. Create the foam: In a bowl, whip the cream until it becomes whipped cream. Add the crumbled goat cheese and mix well. Add a little of the lemon and pepper mix, as well as salt to taste.

Assembling the zucchini dish
1. Prepare the mold: Grease a circular mold with a little butter inside. Line the walls with the zucchini slices.
2. Fill the mold: Fill the cylinder with the goat cheese foam and decorate with finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes.

Preparing the black radish foam
1. Grate the radish: Peel the black radish and grate it on a small grater. Squeeze out the excess water.
2. Create the foam: Add the grated radish to the whipped cream, along with the chopped walnut. Season with salt.
3. Prepare the cylinder with speck: Grease a circular mold with olive oil and line the interior walls with the speck slices. Fill the cylinder with the radish foam.

Assembling the plate
1. Remove the molds: Carefully remove the molds for the zucchini and speck. Arrange them on a plate.
2. Finishing: Decorate with chopped chives for an extra touch of color and flavor.

Serving
These cheese cups can be served as an elegant appetizer at a holiday dinner or at a gathering with friends. You can pair the dish with a dry white wine, which will highlight the fine flavors of the cheeses and vegetables.

Practical tips
- Vegetarian option: You can replace the speck with a mix of sautéed mushrooms to maintain a refined appearance but without meat.
- Salad mix: Experiment with different types of salad; arugula and lamb's lettuce add a pleasant bitterness that contrasts nicely with the cheese.
- Olive oil: Choose a high-quality olive oil, as it will contribute to the final flavor of the dish.

Frequently asked questions
- Can I use different cheese?: Yes, any type of cheddar or gouda cheese can work, but the taste will be different.
- How can I store the dish?: It is recommended to consume the dish fresh, but the cheese cups can be stored in the refrigerator for a day, without filling.
- Is the recipe suitable for vegans?: No, but you can adapt the recipe using vegan alternatives for cheese and cream.

Nutritional benefits
This recipe contains a significant amount of vitamins and minerals, thanks to the salad mix and fresh vegetables. Goat cheese provides high-quality protein, and walnuts offer essential omega-3 fatty acids for heart health.

In conclusion, the cheese cups with salad, zucchini with goat cheese foam, and speck with black radish foam are an excellent choice for those looking to impress with an elegant appetizer that is easy to prepare. Whether it's a special occasion or a simple family dinner, this dish will evoke admiration and appreciation from everyone. Enjoy your meal!