Description
Crispy fried goat cheese medallions dance with aromatic tarragon and golden honey, creating a luxurious French-inspired appetizer. Mediterranean flavors merge in this elegant small plate that delivers rich textures and complex taste sensations you’ll savor with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) goat cheese log (3x 4-ounce logs), at room temperature
- 1 egg
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- Salt and pepper, as needed
Liquid and Garnish Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon honey (plus more for garnish)
- Splash of water
- Canola oil for frying
- Optional garnishes: red pepper flakes, chives, crushed pistachios
Instructions
- Blend softened goat cheese with finely chopped tarragon, honey, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl, ensuring a smooth and well-seasoned mixture.
- Gently form the cheese mixture into uniform spheres, creating approximately 12-14 round portions.
- Whisk an egg with a small amount of water in a shallow container to create a light egg wash.
- Prepare two separate plates: one with seasoned flour and another with panko breadcrumbs mixed with salt and pepper.
- Develop a systematic coating process by first rolling each cheese ball in flour, ensuring complete coverage, then dipping into the egg wash, and finally coating thoroughly with seasoned breadcrumbs.
- Place the breaded cheese spheres in the freezer for 20 minutes to firm up and help maintain their shape during frying.
- Heat canola oil in a deep, heavy-bottomed pot to precisely 350°F, maintaining a consistent temperature for optimal frying.
- Carefully lower the chilled cheese balls into the hot oil, working in small batches to prevent overcrowding and ensure even browning.
- Fry until the exterior turns a rich golden brown and develops a crispy, delicate crust, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer the fried goat cheese to a paper towel-lined surface to absorb excess oil.
- Enhance the presentation by drizzling with additional honey and garnishing with optional red pepper flakes, chopped chives, or crushed pistachios.
Notes
- Prep cheese mixture ahead of time to develop richer, more complex flavors by allowing herbs and honey to meld together.
- Freezing coated cheese balls ensures a crispy exterior and prevents cheese from melting too quickly during frying.
- Use fresh, high-quality goat cheese for the best texture and tangy flavor profile.
- Maintain consistent oil temperature around 350°F to achieve perfectly golden, evenly crisp exterior without greasy results.
- Create a clean dipping station with separate plates for flour, egg wash, and breadcrumbs to ensure smooth, mess-free coating process.
- Serve immediately after frying for maximum crunchiness and warmest, most enjoyable texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 85mg