Frederic Melton
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads and appetizers to pasta and pizza. Its tangy, creamy, and rich flavour makes it a popular choice for home cooks and chefs alike. With its complex taste and texture, goat cheese can elevate a simple dish, making it a delicious addition to Italian cuisine. In this article, we will explore the different ways goat cheese can be incorporated into Italian dishes and the unique flavour profiles it can bring to the table. We will also discuss the process of making goat cheese and how it differs from other types of cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Goat cheese texture | Soft, creamy |
| Goat cheese flavour | Tangy, rich, earthy, buttery |
| Goat cheese recipes | Salads, pasta, pizza, soups, risottos, tarts, fritters, appetizers, desserts |
| Italian recipes with goat cheese | Pasta, pizza, risotto |
| Italian recipes with goat cheese ingredients | Spinach, shrimp, white wine, basil, oregano, Parmesan, tomato, garlic, chilli, eggplant, pesto, chicken, prosciutto, broccoli, courgette |
| Wine pairings | Sauvignon Blanc, citrussy whites, Bacchus, Côtes de Gascogne, Rueda, Albarino, Alvarinho, Chablis, Picpoul de Pinet, Pinot Grigio, Italian whites, dry Riesling, Gruner Veltliner, rosé |
| Beer pairings | Hoegaarden, Belgian ales, Orval |
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What You'll Learn
Goat cheese in Italian salads
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can add a tangy and creamy kick to a variety of dishes. It is a common addition to Italian meals, including salads, due to its unique flavour and texture.
Goat cheese is a soft cheese with a tangy flavour that works well in Italian salads. Its creamy texture and distinctive taste can enhance the overall flavour profile of a salad, making it a delicious and indulgent option for lunch or dinner. The cheese can be crumbled or grated over the salad, or used in the dressing to create a creamy, tangy vinaigrette.
One example of an Italian salad featuring goat cheese is the Italian Flag Salad. This salad combines spring mix, romaine, tomatoes, radishes, pecans, and goat cheese. The dressing is made by shaking together olive oil, vinegar, goat cheese, shallots, salt, and pepper. This salad is a delicious and healthy option, showcasing the freshness of Italian cuisine.
Another Italian-inspired salad with goat cheese is the Fig and Goat Cheese Salad. This salad features arugula, figs, radishes, and goat cheese, drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and seasoned with black pepper. The sweetness of the figs and the spiciness of the arugula create a delightful contrast of flavours, with the goat cheese adding a creamy tang.
Goat cheese can also be used in more inventive ways in Italian salads. For instance, it can be paired with grilled chicken, blueberries, and maple syrup in a summer salad. The cheese can be crumbled over the salad, or used as a spread on a baguette served on the side. This combination of ingredients creates a unique and refreshing meal, perfect for the warmer months.
In conclusion, goat cheese is a delicious and versatile addition to Italian salads. Its tangy and creamy qualities can elevate a simple salad, making it a satisfying and indulgent meal. Whether used as a topping, mixed into the dressing, or paired with sweet or spicy ingredients, goat cheese can enhance the flavour and texture of Italian-inspired salad creations.
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Goat cheese in Italian pasta dishes
Goat's cheese is a soft, creamy, tangy cheese that can be used to add depth to a variety of Italian pasta dishes. Its unique flavour and creamy texture make it a great addition to a range of pasta recipes, from simple creamy goat cheese pasta to more complex dishes like caramelized mushroom and goat cheese pasta.
Goat's cheese is a good option for those who want to add a creamy texture to their pasta without using cream or milk. Its tangy flavour pairs well with ingredients like basil, garlic, and tomatoes, which are commonly used in Italian cuisine.
One simple recipe for goat cheese pasta involves cooking pasta al dente, then making a sauce by heating butter in a skillet and adding garlic and goat cheese. The cooked pasta is then added to the skillet and stirred to coat it in the sauce. This recipe can be customised by adding herbs like basil and parsley, salt and pepper to taste, lemon juice and zest, and parmesan cheese.
Another popular option is to make a tomato goat cheese pasta. This recipe involves sautéing onions in olive oil, adding garlic, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes, and then stirring in goat's cheese and basil. The sauce is then served with the cooked pasta and can be garnished with parmesan cheese.
For a heartier option, caramelized mushroom and goat cheese pasta is a great choice. This recipe involves caramelizing mushrooms and shallots in butter and olive oil, adding garlic and herbs, and then stirring in goat's cheese to create a creamy sauce. The cooked pasta is then added to the sauce and garnished with fresh thyme.
Goat's cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used to create a range of delicious Italian pasta dishes, from simple creamy pasta to more complex recipes like the ones mentioned above. Its tangy flavour and creamy texture make it a unique and tasty addition to any pasta dish.
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Goat cheese in Italian soups
Goat's cheese is a versatile ingredient that can add flavour and texture to a variety of dishes, including Italian meals. Its tangy and creamy qualities make it a great addition to soups, and it can be used to top a variety of vegetable-based soups.
Tomato-lentil soup is a classic example of an Italian soup that is elevated by the addition of goat's cheese. The tanginess of the cheese pairs well with the sweetness of the tomatoes and the earthiness of the lentils. The cheese is added towards the end of the cooking process, with slices of goat's cheese topped with herbs and lemon zest placed on top of the soup to melt and create creamy, tangy puddles throughout the bowl.
Goat's cheese can also be used to make a simple yet tasty Italian bread salad, which can be served as a side dish or a light meal. The cheese adds a creamy texture and a tangy flavour to the salad, which can be paired with grilled or roasted meats.
In addition to soups and salads, goat's cheese can be used in Italian meals such as pasta dishes, risottos, and vegetable tarts. It can also be used as a topping for pizzas, adding a tangy flavour to balance out the sweetness of onion or the earthiness of broccoli and courgette.
When it comes to Italian cheese, Gran Capra, or "big goat cheese," is a noteworthy example. This Italian goat's cheese, produced in Lombardy in the foothills of the Alps, weighs around 50 pounds and has a firm, dry, texture and a sweet and nutty flavour. It is ideal for grating over pasta or using in vegetable gratins, and its resemblance to Parmigiano Reggiano makes it a good alternative for those with cow's milk allergies or intolerances.
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Goat cheese in Italian meat dishes
Goat cheese, or "formaggio di capra" in Italian, has become a trend in Italy, as it has worldwide, due to its health benefits. It is rich in potassium, phosphorus, vitamins, and proteins, and has more minerals and vitamins than cow's milk, including calcium, potassium, and vitamin A.
Goat cheese is a soft cheese with a tangy flavour and a creamy texture. It is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of Italian meat dishes. For example, it can be paired with deli meats such as Italian parma ham, roasted turkey ham, chicken ham, or prosciutto crudo in sandwiches. These sandwiches can be made with Italian bread like tramezzino or ciabatta, and filled with other Italian ingredients such as fresh basil and extra virgin olive oil.
Goat cheese can also be used in heartier Italian meat dishes, such as a beef and goat cheese roll inspired by the Japanese "maki". To make this dish, slices of beef carpaccio are brushed with olive oil and sprinkled with salt. Julienned vegetables and segments of goat cheese are placed in the centre of the beef, topped with rocket, and then rolled up and sealed. The roll is then browned in a frying pan and served with freshly ground pepper and olive oil.
Additionally, goat cheese can be used in pasta dishes with meat, such as Lizzie Munro's recipe from Brooklyn, New York, which features a "tomato-y meat sauce" with tangy goat cheese.
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Goat cheese in Italian desserts
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can add a tangy, creamy flavour to a variety of dishes. While it is commonly used in salads, tarts, and pasta, goat cheese can also be a delicious addition to Italian desserts.
One such dessert is the Basilicata Crostata al Caprino, a goat cheese tart from the region of Basilicata in southern Italy. This dessert features a sweet shortcrust pastry called pasta frolla, filled with a creamy goat cheese mousse and topped with fresh berries. The tart can be adapted for different seasons, using cherries or sliced stone fruit in the summer, figs and honey in the fall, and preserved fruit in the winter.
When making this tart, it is recommended to use a mild, creamy variety of goat cheese, such as Italian caprino or French chèvre. The dough for the pasta frolla is easy to make in a food processor, and the recipe is versatile as it can be used to create both individual-sized tarts and larger ones.
In addition to tarts, goat cheese can also be incorporated into other Italian dessert recipes. For example, it can be paired with honey-roasted pears and walnuts on toasted sourdough to create a tasty, sweet treat. Alternatively, goat cheese can be used in place of ricotta or other cheeses in traditional Italian desserts, adding a unique flavour profile.
Overall, goat cheese can be a delicious and versatile ingredient in Italian desserts, offering a creamy texture and tangy flavour that complements a variety of sweet dishes.
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Frequently asked questions
Goat cheese is tangy, rich, and creamy. It is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, from breakfast to dessert.
Goat cheese is used in many Italian dishes, including pizza, pasta, risotto, and salads. For example, you can make a pizza with goat cheese, pesto, eggplant, and Parmesan, or a pasta dish with leeks, walnuts, garlic, and chilli.
Goat cheese is used in many non-Italian dishes as well. For example, it can be used in French dishes such as goat cheese salad, or Indian dishes such as naan bread with goat cheese. It can also be used as a topping for Mexican food and corn on the cob.
Goat cheese pairs well with white wines, especially Sauvignon Blanc and other citrussy whites such as Bacchus, Côtes de Gascogne, and Rueda. It also goes well with Belgian ales and beers like HeffeWeise, which has citrus notes that complement the tanginess of the cheese.
