Spicy jalapeno and goat cheese wrapped walnuts, fired tempura-style and served with an apple gazpacho sauce and a chili spiced walnut crema.
1/2 of a Granny Smith apple, peeled and cored
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
1 cup canned diced tomatoes
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 cup apple juice
1/4 of a cucumber, peeled and seeded
1/4 of a jalapeno pepper, stemmed and seeded
Salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 cups California walnuts
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
Juice of 1/2 lime
1 lb. goat cheese, softened
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 red and 1 green jalapeno pepper, stemmed, seeded, and minced
33 California walnut halves, toasted
2 tablespoons flour
1 package tempura mix, prepared according to package directions
Microgreens (optional garnish)
To prepare Fall Gazpacho Sauce, place all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
To prepare Chili Walnut Crema, place all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth.
Stir together goat cheese, cream cheese and jalapeno peppers in a medium bowl and divide into 33 equal pieces. flatten in your palm and place a walnut half in the middle. Fold goat cheese around by rolling in your palms to make a smooth ball.
Preheat at least 2-inches of oil to 350° F. Working in batches, dip goat cheese balls into flour then into tempura batter, gently shaking off excess. Fry for 2 minutes, then remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined baking sheet.
Place 2 to 3 tablespoons of Fall gazpacho Sauce and 1 slightly heaping tablespoon Chili Walnut Crema onto 10 small plates. Top each with 3 fried goat cheese balls and garnish with microgreens, if desired.