Arugula Salad with Fried Goat Cheese

Crunchy fried goat cheese balls top a fresh arugula salad dressed with oil and vinegar in this salad that's a lot simpler than it looks.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 3 mins
• Total Time: 23 mins
• Calories: 360 Calories

Ingredients

• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 (4 ounce) log goat cheese
• ½ cup Italian-style panko bread crumbs, or as needed
• 6 tablespoons olive oil, divided, or to taste
• 6 cups arugula
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, or to taste

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Set oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.

Step 2

Pull off small pieces of goat cheese and roll into dime-sized balls.

Step 3

Pour panko bread crumbs into a bowl; roll goat cheese balls in crumbs until coated.

Step 4

Heat olive oil and garlic in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook and stir goat cheese balls in the hot oil for 15 to 30 seconds. Scoop them back into the bowl of bread crumbs to create a second coating. Arrange on a rimmed baking sheet.

Step 5

Broil goat cheese balls, shaking baking sheet every 30 seconds to 1 minute to ensure even browning, about 2 minutes.

Step 6

Toss arugula with remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Divide among 4 serving bowls; top each bowl with warm goat cheese balls.