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What a perfect evening it was for the girls to sit and chat and drink vino by candlelight on the front porch last night. And we served one of our favorite warm weather appetizers as well! Our simple "Summer Goat Cheese Appetizer" is a must try and everyone will rave!!!

plain goat cheese log
extra virgin olive oil, a light and delicate one
peppercorns, preferably a mixture of white, red and black, crushed
allspice berries. crushed
garlic, finely minced
fresh ginger, finely minced
orange zest
orange juice
jalapeno pepper, seeded, deveined and minced
fresh mint
fresh cilantro
reduced white balsamic vinegar
crushed red pepper flakes
sea salt

Preheat oven to 200 to 250 degrees. Place goat cheese log on serving platter and place in pre-heated oven for 20+ minutes or until warmed through.
In a small saucepan on a medium high flame, heat about one third cup of white balsamic vinegar and one third cup orange juice until reduced by half or until it reaches a syrup-like consistency, about 5 minutes. Set aside.

In a medium size saute pan... on a medium flame... in a little olive oil ... heat minced garlic, red pepper flakes, ginger and jalapeno until warmed through. Make sure you Do Not Burn!!!

Next add peppercorns, and allspice berries and heat through for 1 minute or so. Remove from heat, add fresh mint leaves, cilantro and orange zest and toss with tongs until wilted. Remove cheese from oven and top it with herb mixture. Drizzle entire platter and cheese with olive oil, the reduced white balsamic vinegar and orange juice. Anoint with a splash of fresh orange juice. Season with salt. Place a few whole dried chiles and a mint sprig on platter for presentation.

Serve immediately with crostini, sliced ciabatta or plain crackers. Small plates, forks and a large serving spoon work best here.