Midnight Moon Goat Cheese, A Perfect Complement to a Summer Bean Salad

Midnight Moon Summer Bean Salad

1 can white beans
1 cup fresh broccoli mini florets
1 ear white corn, shaved
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon serrano pepper, chopped
1-2 oz. Midnight Moon Goat Cheese
freshly ground pepper

This salad happened quite by accident, but it's so good that it's worthy of sharing!

All of these surprising ingredients just happened to be around and wouldn't you know it, they harmonize beautifully together. The highlight of course is the cheese-- Midnight Mood Goat to be exact. Fresh cilantro and serrano pepper adds levity and an unusual kick to this light lunchtime fare. White corn, so abundant this season, and so very delicious adds a incomparable, mellow sweetness to the mix. The white beans, S&W brand, are so well seasoned already that no additional salt needs to be added. And then the Midnight Moon, very much like a premium Gouda except made from goat's milk, rounds out the flavors to lovely end.

I need to point out here that this salad requires NO dressing. It's really that good already!

This is so easy to prepare it's ridiculous! The broccoli, serrano pepper and the cilantro need to be washed. They'll be eaten fresh so wash well. If I have the time, I like to soak vegetables that I'll eat fresh in salted water for ten minutes (or all day). This is a French technique that I picked up living in a third world country. Drain. Mince or chop the pepper. Fresh broccoli I find works well in salads if cut small, so cut the flowers off near the ends about 1/2" in.

The ear of corn simply needs to be microwaved for say... 3 minutes, just until the it becomes opaque, then cooled. Another tip with the cilantro. Just pull off a handful of the leafy part from a bunch and wash briefly. Squeeze out the excess water, you can even pat dry with a paper towel, then tear or chop and add it to your salad.

Okay, the can of beans. Quality is important, and I have always been pleased with S&W. Drain beans and place in a medium bowl. Add all the other ingredients and toss lightly to mix. Dust with freshly ground pepper.(That's it.) =)

The creaminess of the beans combined with the crunch of the broccoli, with the feathery feel of the cilantro and the slight burst of sweet corn is amazing. The cheese is so velvety smooth it melds into the dish without a noticeable texture.

If you haven't had the chance yet, get yourself some Midnight Moon goat cheese! Hand-crafted and aged in Holland makes this California brand cheese by Cypress Grove Chevre a stand out. Holland makes some of the best cheese on the planet, didn't ya know? Midnight Moon comes in a small wheel, but you can purchase a small wedge like I did at the local produce market. Seductive, sexy... Midnight Moon will woo you for sure.

Serve this summery bean salad with a crusty baguette with good butter and limeade (why isn't it called limeonade?)-- that makes a perfect summer meal in my book!