Name: Baked Goat Cheese
Total time: 1 h
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil , plus extra for drizzling; 1 onion , chopped fine; Salt and pepper; 3 garlic cloves , sliced thin; 2 teaspoons smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes; 1 (8- to 10-ounce) log goat cheese , softened; 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro; 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

Why This Recipe Works

Warm goat cheese, broiled in a baking dish with lightly spiced tomato sauce, makes for a refreshing spin on the always-popular melted-cheese party fare. Since goat cheese has so much flavor already, especially when served hot, we chose not to doctor it up at all, instead focusing on the surrounding sauce. For the marinara-like tomato sauce, we settled on a cooking time of 15 minutes, right in between those of a fresh quick-cooked sauce and a deeper long-cooked sauce. Adding a mix of paprika, cumin, and red pepper flakes imparted a complex spiciness and warmth. After about 10 minutes under the broiler, the goat cheese was nicely browned on top and the sauce was bubbling happily.

Before You Begin

Goat cheese logs come in different sizes. Any size from 8 to 10 ounces will work in this recipe. Just press the log into a 1-inch-thick disk. If you can find only small logs of goat cheese (around 4 ounces), you can press two smaller logs together. Serve with crackers or toast points.

Instructions

Heat oil in medium saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion and ¾ teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Add garlic, paprika, cumin, pepper flakes, and ¼ teaspoon pepper and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes. Season with salt to taste.

Adjust oven rack 6 inches from broiler element and heat broiler. Place goat cheese between 2 sheets of plastic wrap. Flatten goat cheese into 1-inch-thick disk, 3 to 4 inches in diameter, cupping your hands around exterior of disk as needed to make compact shape.

Transfer tomato sauce to shallow 2-quart broiler-safe dish. Place goat cheese in center. Broil until goat cheese is well browned, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle cilantro and lemon zest over sauce and drizzle with extra oil. Serve.