This Broccolini with Whipped Goat Cheese and Crispy Shallots Recipe is a perfect easy entertaining appetizer! While this recipe looks fancy, it's actually super easy AND so delicious!
This recipe has it all - texture, spice, and flavor! I've been loving whipped goat cheese dishes. After I made a tomato and goat cheese tart and lemony asparagus tart, I wanted a more vegetable forward dish with goat cheese. My local grocery store had broccolini, and thus this recipe was born!
I absolutely love the look of this plated dish. It looks like it came from the kitchen of a fancy restaurant. But I promise that although it looks fancy, it is actually SO easy to make!
This dish is totally packed with flavor. From the lemony spiced goat cheese to garlicky fried shallots, every bite of this recipe is a treat.
This recipe is great for entertaining! If you are making this for more than 6 people, make sure to double or triple the recipe. Your guests will love this!
Ingredients
For whipped goat cheese:
- 8 oz goat cheese
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
For the broccolini:
- 2 bunches broccolini
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 shallot, sliced thinly
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Fresh basil, for serving
Instructions
This recipe is so simple! Here are the major parts.
Combine goat cheese, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes in a food processor. Pulse until goat cheese is whipped and creamy. Add whipped goat cheese to a large plate or serving tray and set aside.
Next, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add broccolini and cook until bright green, about 3-5 minutes. Remove broccolini from water and set aside. Broccolini should still be a little firm - you don't want them to be mushy!
Next, you'll make your crispy shallots. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over low heat. Add shallots and cook until crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Add garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper and stir well. Remove from heat.
Finally, top plated whipped goat cheese with broccolini and pour crispy shallots and remaining oil over broccolini. Garnish with lemon wedges and fresh basil.
Substitutions
If you don't like goat cheese or do not eat it due to dietary/heath restrictions, you have a few other substitutes that would work well in this recipe:
- Feta Cheese
- Ricotta Cheese
- Cream Cheese
Additionally, if you do not like or cannot find broccolini, here are some other vegetables that would work great with this recipe:
- Roasted Carrots
- Regular Broccoli
- Crispy Brussels sprouts
Kitchen Equipment for this Recipe
Here are some kitchen tools that I recommend for this recipe:
- Frying Pan - You'll need a frying pan to make the crispy shallots. A good frying pan is essential in a kitchen. If you don't have one or need to upgrade, check out this one on Amazon.
- Serving Tray - A versatile serving tray helps the presentation of any meal! Since this appetizer looks especially beautiful plated, a solid color serving tray will always make the food pop! Check out this set of three serving trays.
- Food Processor - A good food processor is so great to have in the kitchen! I have this one and absolutely love it. Grab it on Amazon today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Many people thing broccolini is young broccoli, but it is not. It is actually a cross between regular broccoli and Chinese broccoli. This hybrid vegetable is leafier and less bitter than regular broccoli.
There are a variety of ways to prepare broccolini. It can be steamed, blanched, sautéed, grilled, or roasted.
Broccolini is much less bitter than regular broccoli. Broccolini has a more mild flavor that is best served cooked.
Yes! Broccolini leaves are edible and there is no need to remove them besides preference.
Broccolini with Whipped Goat Cheese and Crispy Shallots
Ingredients
- For the whipped goat cheese:
- 8 oz goat cheese
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- For the broccolini:
- 2 bunches broccolini
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 1 shallot sliced thinly
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- Lemon wedges for serving
- Fresh basil for serving
Instructions
- Combine goat cheese, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes in a food processor. Pulse until goat cheese is whipped and creamy. Add whipped goat cheese to a large plate or serving tray and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add broccolini and cook until bright green, about 3-5 minutes. Remove broccolini from water and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over low heat. Add shallots and cook until crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Add garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper and stir well. Remove from heat.
- Top plated whipped goat cheese with broccolini and pour crispy shallots and remaining oil over broccolini.
- Garnish with lemon wedges and fresh basil.
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