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Goat Cheese Flan with Dried Fruits and Almonds

By Elaine Mellen

Posted on May 10, 2016

My Goat Cheese Flan with dried fruits and almonds is easily the most delicious appetizer you can serve for a fancy dinner or cocktail party. It will both impress and delight your guests!

I like to change up the topping on my flan to create different flavors for different occasions. In this rendition I use dried fruits and slivered almonds. When fresh figs are in season I love to top my flan with sliced fresh figs tossed in olive oil. Customize the topping to your liking, just be sure to comment below and share your creations.

Goat Cheese Flan with Dried Fruits and Almonds

Ingredients:

4 shallots, peeled and minced
4 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons fresh thyme
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
6 ounces goat cheese
2 eggs
1 egg yolk
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese

Topping:
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1 cup dried fruits (I used apricots, dates and cranberries)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Sprinkle of salt and pepper

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Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a casserole dish.

Heat butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, then add shallots. Cook for two minutes, until the shallots are wilted and translucent in color. Add chopped thyme and continue cooking for one minute.

Add flour, stirring over low heat. Cook the “roux” on low for two minutes. Add cream and milk, whisking over low medium heat for 3-4 minutes, or until the cream base is thick and bubbly.

Remove from heat and add goat cheese. Stir and let cook for a few minutes.

In the meantime whisk eggs, Parmesan cheese (1/2 cup) and nutmeg together in a bowl. Add 1/2 cup of cream base to the eggs, whisking vigorously. This is called tempering, so you don’t cook the eggs when adding in the cream base. Add the rest of the cream base and mix well. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese on top. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Insert a tester in the center to make sure it is cooked through. If it’s not, cook for five minutes more. Let cool at room temperature before serving.

Combine toasted almonds, dried fruits and olive oil in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper.

Serve on top of goat cheese flan. The flan is delicious served with crackers, pita bread or crostini.