A crowd-pleasing appetizer made with baked goat cheese in a warm and smoky tomato sauce.
Heal oil in medium saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion and 1 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Add garlic, paprika, cumin, sugar, red pepper flakes, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes. Season with more salt to taste.
Adjust oven rack 6 inches from broiler element and heat broiler. Place goat cheese between 2 sheets of plastic wrap. Flatten goat cheese into 1-inch thick disk, 3 to 4 inches in diameter, cupping your hands around exterior of disk as needed to make compact shape.
Transfer tomato sauce to shallow 2-quart broiler-safe dish. Place goat cheese in center. Broil until goat cheese is well browned, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle cilantro and lemon zest over sauce, if desired. Serve with toasted, crunchy bread or crackers.