Bushra Griffith
Crumbled goat cheese, also known as chevre, is a versatile ingredient with a distinctive earthy flavor and a smooth, velvety texture. It is made from goat's milk and is commonly used in savory and sweet dishes. While some people enjoy it on sandwiches, crackers, or salads, others are unsure how it behaves when cooked. For instance, does it melt? Well, it depends on the type of goat cheese. Fresh goat cheese, for instance, is rindless and chalky-white, and is best used in salads or as a spread. On the other hand, bloomy rind goat cheese melts beautifully and can be used in salads, sandwiches, or on a cheese tray.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Smooth and velvety |
| Flavor | Distinctively earthy and tangy |
| Storage | Refrigerate at 40°F or lower |
| Expiry | 2 weeks once opened |
| Melting | Does not melt |
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What You'll Learn
How to crumble goat cheese
Crumbled goat cheese, also known as chevre, is a versatile ingredient used in sweet and savoury dishes. It has a distinctive earthy flavour and a smooth, velvety texture. Crumbled goat cheese is typically sold in small containers for easy use and storage. When unopened, it remains fresh until the "Best By" or "Use By" date, which is usually four to five weeks after production. Once opened, it should be consumed within two weeks.
Now, to answer your question of how to crumble goat cheese, there are a few methods you can try:
- Using a Sharp Knife or Fingers: For fresh goat cheese without a rind, use a sharp knife or your fingers to break and pull it into crumble-like pieces. This type of goat cheese is often sold in tubes and is chalky-white and tart in flavour.
- Freezing: If you have creamy goat cheese and want to achieve a crumbled texture, you can try placing it in the freezer for a short time. The cold temperature will help dehydrate the cheese, making it drier and easier to crumble. However, freezing may alter the texture, so use this method sparingly.
- Cheesecloth: Another method to remove moisture from creamy goat cheese is to use cheesecloth. Wrap the cheese tightly in the cheesecloth and hang it, similar to how yogurt is hung for straining. The pressure will force out the liquid, resulting in a drier cheese that may crumble more easily.
- Gloves: If you're working with a very creamy goat cheese, you can try crumbling it with gloves. Put on gloves and delicately crumble the cheese. However, be aware that this method may result in the cheese sticking to the gloves due to its creaminess.
Remember, goat cheese has a high moisture content, so it's normal for it to be challenging to crumble. Experiment with different varieties of goat cheese, as some may be drier and easier to crumble. Additionally, storing your goat cheese properly, as mentioned earlier, will help maintain its texture and make it easier to work with.
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Goat cheese in cooked dishes
Goat cheese, also known as chevre, is a versatile ingredient that can be used in cooked dishes in a variety of ways. Here are some tips and ideas for incorporating goat cheese into your cooked dishes:
Choosing the Right Type of Goat Cheese
Goat cheese comes in different varieties, and some types are more suitable for melting or cooking than others. Fresh goat cheese, for example, is rindless, chalky-white, and tart in flavor. It is often used in salads or as a spread but may not be ideal for melting. On the other hand, bloomy rind goat cheese, coated with a soft and fuzzy rind, melts quite beautifully. However, it can go from oozy to runny in seconds, so careful monitoring is required during cooking.
Crumbling Goat Cheese
Crumbling goat cheese can be a bit tricky due to its creamy texture. One technique is to place the cheese in the freezer for a few minutes to harden slightly, making it easier to crumble with your hands or a fork. Alternatively, you can cut the cheese into small pieces with a knife and then scrape it into your dish.
Cooked Dish Ideas with Goat Cheese
Now, let's explore some specific ideas for incorporating goat cheese into cooked dishes:
- Frittata or Quiche: Crumbled goat cheese can be sprinkled onto a frittata or used in a thin quiche with artichokes, bacon, and phyllo dough.
- Stuffed Dates: Try stuffing goat cheese into dates, wrapping them in bacon, and baking them for a delicious appetizer.
- Pizza or Flatbread: Goat cheese can be used as a tasty alternative to regular cheese on pizza or flatbread. Try it with caramelized onions, bell peppers, and your choice of greens.
- Filled Dough: Experiment with using goat cheese as a filling for dough, such as a stuffed crust pizza or bread rolls.
- Focaccia: Dot or spread bits of goat cheese on top of your focaccia dough before baking, perhaps even pairing it with lemons or fresh herbs.
- Dips: Create a savory dip by mixing goat cheese with cream or yogurt and serving it with fresh herbs and crackers.
- Sandwiches: For a warm sandwich option, place slices of bloomy rind goat cheese on a baguette and run it under the broiler until oozy.
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Goat cheese in salads
Goat cheese, also known as chevre, is a versatile ingredient that can be used in both savoury and sweet dishes. It has a distinctive earthy flavour and a smooth, velvety texture. While goat cheese does not melt, there are certain types of goat cheese that can be pan-fried to create a molten centre.
Goat cheese is a popular ingredient in salads. One such salad is the Salade de Chèvre Chaud, a classic French dish found in bistros across France. This salad typically consists of fresh leaves, nuts, and bacon, topped with pan-fried goat cheese medallions. The warm, molten-centred goat cheese contrasts beautifully with the cool, juicy salad vegetables.
Another popular option is a baked goat cheese salad, made famous by Alice Waters. This salad features a harmonious blend of lettuces tossed in a vinaigrette, topped with warm, thyme-and-breadcrumb-coated goat cheese rounds, and served with crunchy garlic croutons.
For a simple yet delicious option, consider a green salad with cranberry-coated goat cheese, sliced shallots, and crisp cucumbers. This combination adds a sweet and tart punch to the creamy goat cheese. If you're looking for a quick and easy dressing, whisk together vinegar, salt, pepper, and oil, and toss with the salad just before serving to ensure a perfect and crunchy texture.
When purchasing goat cheese for your salad, look for small discs or logs/barrel forms that are 5-6 cm thick. This ensures that each slice has a rind, preventing the cheese from running when pan-fried. Remember to consume goat cheese crumbles within two weeks of opening, as exposure to air can accelerate spoilage.
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Goat cheese in sandwiches
While some people claim that goat cheese does not melt, others have successfully melted goat cheese to make grilled sandwiches. Goat cheese crumbles, also known as chevre, are small broken pieces of soft goat cheese with a distinctive earthy flavor and a smooth, velvety texture. They are a versatile ingredient commonly used in savory and sweet dishes.
When making a grilled goat cheese sandwich, it is best to have all the ingredients prepared and assembled before grilling. One recipe for a goat cheese grilled sandwich includes homemade basil pesto, arugula, sliced tomatoes, avocado, and multiple types of cheese. The sandwich is grilled in a skillet on low-medium heat to allow the bread to crisp and the center cheese to melt.
Another recipe for a goat cheese sandwich involves making a spread by mixing cream cheese, goat cheese, garlic, thyme, parsley, milk, salt, and pepper. The spread is then used on slices of bread, which are topped with thin cucumber rounds and then remaining bread slices. These sandwiches can be made in the morning and then refrigerated until serving time.
Goat cheese can also be used in sandwiches in the form of crumbles. To make crumbles, use a sharp knife or your fingers to break and pull the cheese into pieces. These crumbles can then be sprinkled on a sandwich or used in a salad. When storing goat cheese crumbles, always keep them in the refrigerator at a consistent temperature of 40°F or lower.
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Storing goat cheese
The ideal storage temperature for goat cheese is between 4°C and 10°C, making the vegetable drawer in the refrigerator the perfect location. For well-aged cheeses, the middle shelf of the refrigerator, with temperatures between 4°C and 6°C, is more suitable. If you wish to stop the ripening process of fresh goat cheese, store it in the upper part of the refrigerator, where temperatures range from 0°C to 4°C.
It is important to note that goat cheese should be consumed within a week of opening the package. When unopened, goat cheese can last for two months or until the \"Best By\" or \"Use By\" date, whichever comes first. Freezing goat cheese is not recommended as it can alter the texture and make it less pleasant to eat after thawing, especially for fresh and ripened goat cheeses. However, dry and semi-hard goat cheeses can withstand freezing and can be wrapped and stored in airtight containers.
When storing leftover goat cheese, always wrap it correctly to avoid transferring odours and flavours between different types of cheese. Reusing the original packaging or placing the cheese in a designated cheese box can help maintain its quality. Additionally, always store your goat cheese at a consistent temperature to extend its shelf life.
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Frequently asked questions
No, crumbled goat cheese does not melt. However, there is a type of goat cheese called brown cheese or brun ost that melts like butter.
Some goat cheeses crumble well in your fingers, but others are too creamy and require a knife or fork. If you get a super creamy one, toss it in the freezer for 5 minutes and then crumble it with your hands or a fork.
Crumbled goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in savoury and sweet dishes. You can add it to salads, stuff it into bread dough, or mix it with herbs and use it as a dip.
When unopened, goat cheese crumbles will last until the "Best By" or "Use By" date, which is usually four to five weeks after production. Once opened, they should be consumed within two weeks.
