Harvest Spice Goat Cheese with Cranberry-Pecan Crumble

Once upon a time, there was a little Irish girl who liked to cook.  She met a little Italian boy who also liked to cook.  The two of them fell deeply in love.  One day, the Italian boy took his Irish love home to meet his family.

They were not impressed.  It was nothing personal, they just didn't take very well to new people.

Undaunted, the little Irish girl returned to her kitchen, determined to prepare a dish that would sway even the most stubborn of taste buds.

That Thanksgiving, with a slight tremble in her hands as she set the platter down, the little Irish girl presented the Italian boy's family with this gift:

From that day on, they all lived happily ever after.

Harvest Spice Goat Cheese with Cranberry-Pecan Crumble and Granny Smith Apples

(Serves 8 - 10)

• 1 stick (8 Tbsp) unsalted butter
• 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• Pinch of salt
• 1 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped
• 1 cup pecan halves, toasted then roughly chopped
• 11-oz log goat cheese
• 4 - 5 Granny Smith apples, sliced
• Honey (optional)

1. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.  Add the brown sugar and spices, stirring to combine.
2. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low and "bubble" and stir it for approximately 5 minutes.  (The sugar will not completely dissolve)
3. Remove from heat, then stir in the cranberries and pecans, coating well.
4. Transfer the mixture to a Silpat-lined cookie sheet to cool.
5. Meanwhile, put the goat log in the freezer for ten minutes to help it harden.
6. Divide the log in half, lengthwise.  Set aside.
7. Divide the cranberry-pecan crumble among two large plates.
8. Place one of the goat cheese halves cut side down on one of the crumble-lined plates.  Gently press the crumble into all sides and both ends of the goat cheese.  Repeat for the other half of goat cheese.
9. Transfer to a platter and serve with Granny Smith apple slices.  Drizzle the logs with honey right before serving, if desired.

*Note: You will probably have a considerable amount of crumble left.  It can either be placed in a small dish and served alongside the apple slices (for those who want more crumble), or used in a number of other decadent ways...which you can find here!

Eat well.