Crispy Goat Cheese & Arugula Salad with Pomegranate Dressing


Southern Living has done it again! Another delicious salad was featured in their most recent issue and I'm completely in love with it. Beyond delicious, simple enough to put together, and quite impressive. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! 

The recipe is below, but my one adjustment is using creamed honey, decreased by 1 teaspoon.  

Crispy Goat Cheese-Topped Arugula Salad with Pomegranate Vinaigrette

4 (4-oz.) goat cheese logs
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp pepper
2 egg whites
1 cup panko 
4 tbsp olive oil
2 (5-oz.) containers baby arugula 
4 large navel oranges, peeled and sections 

Cut each goat cheese log into 6 (1/2-inch) slices. Combine flour and pepper in a shallow dish. Whisk together egg whites and 2 Tbsp. water in another shallow dish. Place panko in a third shallow dish. Dredge goat cheese in flour mixture, dip in egg mixture, and dredge in panko. Arrange goat cheese in a single layer in an aluminum foil-lined jelly-roll pan; cover and chill 30 minutes to 4 hours.

Cook half of goat cheese rounds in 2 Tbsp. hot olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with remaining olive oil and goat cheese rounds.

  1. Divide arugula and orange sections among 8 plates; drizzle with Pomegranate Vinaigrette. Top each salad with 3 goat cheese rounds.
Pomegranate Vinaigrette
1 1/2 cups pomegranate juice
1/3 cup olive oil
5 tsp honey
1 tbsp white wine vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp pepper 
1/8 tsp salt 

Bring pomegranate juice to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat; reduce heat to medium, and cook, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes or until reduced to 1/4 cup. Transfer to a small bowl. Cool completely (about 30 minutes). Whisk in olive oil, honey, vinegar, mustard, pepper, and salt.