Spiced Goat Cheese

By Carrie Floyd, from the Culinate Kitchen collection

Cook Time	15 minutes
Total Time	6 hours

Introduction

Years ago I clipped this recipe from Food & Wine magazine; this adaptation is still a favorite of mine, and a crowd-pleaser as well.

Ingredients

	½	tsp. saffron threads, loosely packed
	1	tsp. cumin seeds
	1	tsp. black peppercorns
	¼	tsp. red-pepper flakes
	¾	cup extra-virgin olive oil
	3	large garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
	½	tsp. salt
	11	oz. goat cheese, cut into ⅓-inch rounds (or two 5-oz. disks)
	~	One fresh and crusty baguette, cut into ⅓-inch slices

Steps

1. In a small bowl, cover the saffron with 1 tablespoon of hot water and set aside to infuse for several minutes.
2. In a dry skillet, combine the cumin, black peppercorns, and red-pepper flakes, and toast over medium-high heat, shaking the pan, until fragrant, 15 to 20 seconds. Transfer spices to a mortar or cutting board, and grind or chop them into a coarse powder. In a small bowl, or the mortar, combine and stir the spices, olive oil, garlic cloves, and salt.
3. Arrange the goat-cheese rounds in a wide, shallow dish and spoon about half the saffron water over the top; flip the cheeses over and pour the remaining saffron water over the other side. Pour the olive-oil mixture over the cheeses and marinate at room temperature for at least 5 hours, turning the cheese occasionally to coat both sides with the spiced olive oil.
4. The cheese can be refrigerated up to 1 week; return to room temperature before serving. Serve by spreading a little cheese, along with some of the spiced oil, onto a bread slice.

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