Salad with air-fried Boursin cheese

An easy way to elevate a simple meal!

I  have often said that if I had to pick a dish to eat every day for the rest of my life, it would be salad. I’m planning to amend my choice to be this specific salad, because the addition of crispy-on-the-outside, creamy-on-the-inside warm cheese is absolutely fantastic. Boursin, a Quebec-made cheese widely available across Canada, comes in several different flavours so you can choose the one you prefer (my favourite is garlic and fine herbs). If you can’t find Boursin, you could substitute several smaller rounds of goat cheese (cut about 1/2 inch or 1.25 cm thick). I’ve also enjoyed this air-fried Boursin drizzled with hot honey and served with crackers, in case you’re looking for another way to enjoy this tasty treat.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 egg, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup (30 g) Panko (or other dry breadcrumbs; use gluten-free if you like)
• Few pinches salt and pepper
• 1 wheel (5.3 oz/150 g) Boursin cheese
• 4 cups (150 g) washed mixed greens, sliced vegetables and salad dressing of choice

Method

• Place flour in a bowl that is just large enough to hold the cheese. Beat egg in a second bowl. Combine Panko, salt and pepper in a third bowl.
• Unwrap the cheese and slice in half crosswise so you have two discs. Coat each one first in flour (on all sides), then dip in egg (coating all sides) and lastly, coat with Panko mixture, pressing down gently on the cheese so the breadcrumbs adhere. Place breaded cheese on a sheet of parchment paper cut to fit your air fryer basket or pan.
• Spray the coated Boursin with olive or canola oil, lightly coating all sides. Refrigerate for up to 12 hours until ready to cook.
• To bake, place the parchment paper and coated cheese rounds in the air fryer and cook for 5-7 minutes at 400F, until golden brown. Alternatively, you can bake in a conventional oven preheated to 400F for 10-12 minutes.
• Carefully remove the Boursin from the air fryer and place one round on each of two plated salads that have already been lightly dressed. Serve immediately.

Serves 2.