Kamil Perry
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to sandwiches and pizzas. While it is a soft cheese, goat cheese does not melt in the same way that cow's milk cheese does. Instead, it softens well under heat, creating a unique texture that can enhance the taste of many recipes. This textural difference is due to the similar fat content of goat and cow's milk, despite their distinct flavours. Goat cheese's tangy, tart flavour is a result of the conversion of milk's lactose into lactic acid during the cheese-making process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flavor | Tangy, tart |
| Texture | Soft, spreadable |
| Melting | Softens under heat, but does not melt |
| Uses | Salads, spreads, sandwiches, pizzas, dips, pasta |
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What You'll Learn
Goat cheese softens but doesn't melt
Goat cheese, also known as Chevre, is a versatile ingredient that can enhance the flavor of various dishes. It is made by warming goat milk and adding bacteria culture and powdered rennet. Chevre is characterized by its tangy, tart flavor, which sets it apart from cheeses made from cow's milk.
While goat cheese is an excellent option for those who are lactose intolerant, it behaves differently from cow's milk cheese when heated. Unlike cow's milk cheese, goat cheese does not melt in the same way. Instead, it softens under heat while retaining its shape. This unique property of goat cheese makes it a suitable choice for sandwiches, crackers, and salads, where melted cheese might not be the desired outcome.
The soft and spreadable texture of fresh Chevre makes it ideal for spreading on bread, bagels, or toast, adding a creamy dimension to your meal. It can also be crumbled over salads, providing a tangy contrast to sweet fruits like apples or cranberries. For a warm goat cheese experience, consider baking it into dips or filled dough, or warming it in the oven and serving it with crackers or bread.
When it comes to cooking with goat cheese, it's important to note that it won't melt like other cheeses. However, this doesn't limit its culinary applications. Goat cheese can be incorporated into pasta dishes or pizzas, or used as a topping for burgers or nachos. Its ability to soften without melting makes it a unique and interesting ingredient to experiment with in the kitchen.
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Bloomy rind goat cheese melts beautifully
While some people suggest that goat cheese doesn't melt, this is not entirely true. The meltability of goat cheese depends on its variety and age. Fresh goat cheese, for instance, is rindless and chalky-white, and is not ideal for melting. However, semi-aged goat cheeses, which have a white or grey rind, have better meltability than fresh goat cheese.
Bloomy rind goat cheese, in particular, melts beautifully. This variety of goat cheese is coated with Penicillium candidum, the same mold used to make Brie and Camembert. The rind is soft, bloomy, and fuzzy, and the cheese itself can be chalky or creamy, exhibiting mild and tangy or more assertive savory flavors.
When melted, bloomy rind goat cheese can go from oozy to runny very quickly, so it's important to keep a close eye on it. It is best sliced thinly and used uncooked in salads or sandwiches, or melted slightly under a broiler. It can also be used as a spread, whipped with cream and topped with herbs, fruits, or tapenade.
Bloomy rind goat cheese is a versatile and delicious ingredient that can elevate a simple dish. Its complex flavor and meltability make it a great choice for those looking to experiment with different types of cheese in their cooking.
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Goat cheese is gluten-free
Goat cheese, also known as goat's milk cheese, chevre, or chèvre, is a type of cheese made from goat's milk. It has a soft, oozy layer towards the exterior of the cheese and a chalky whiteness inside. It is naturally gluten-free, making it a safe option for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. However, it is important to read the labels of packaged or processed cheese to ensure that there are no added ingredients that may contain gluten.
Celiac disease is a condition that causes an immune reaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Symptoms of celiac disease include joint pain, severe migraines, digestive issues, tachycardia, hypothyroidism, and fatigue. A gluten-free diet is the primary treatment for celiac disease, and most individuals must maintain a strict gluten-free diet to manage their symptoms effectively.
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in various dishes. It can be crumbled or pulled into pieces and added to salads, creating a warm goat cheese salad. It can also be whipped with cream to make a spread for crackers or bread and topped with fresh herbs, tomatoes, or tapenade. Goat cheese can be used as a filling for sandwiches, wraps, or baguettes and is a popular choice for baked dips, pasta dishes, and stuffed dough.
When selecting goat cheese, it is essential to read the labels carefully, especially if you have gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. While goat cheese itself is gluten-free, some brands may add ingredients that contain gluten. Look out for wheat, barley, rye, wheat starch, or modified food starch in the ingredient list, as these indicate the presence of gluten. Choosing goat cheese from a deli counter or opting for unpackaged varieties can also reduce the risk of gluten cross-contamination.
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Goat cheese is a good alternative to cream cheese
Goat cheese, also called chevre, has a creamy texture and tangy flavor. It is a versatile ingredient that can be used in various dishes, such as salads, pasta, spreads, and baked goods. However, some people may not enjoy its strong flavor or may find it difficult to source. In such cases, a good alternative to goat cheese is cream cheese.
Cream cheese has a more subtle flavor and a higher moisture content than goat cheese. When substituting cream cheese for goat cheese, the higher moisture content should be considered, as it may affect the texture of the final dish. However, this can be mitigated by mixing the two cheeses together, as some bakers have successfully done.
Goat cheese comes in a few varieties, including fresh, crumbles, and aged. Fresh goat cheese is soft and tangy, similar to cottage cheese, and is usually sold in logs. The crumbles variety is similar to feta cheese, and aged goat cheese has a strong flavor and hard texture, akin to aged sheep or cow's cheese. These different types of goat cheese are suitable for different recipes, depending on the desired flavor and texture.
Cream cheese, on the other hand, is widely available and can be used as a substitute in many recipes calling for goat cheese. For example, cream cheese can be used in salads, as a spread on crackers or bread, or in baked goods like muffins. Its mild flavor and creamy texture make it a versatile ingredient that can be adapted to various dishes.
In conclusion, while goat cheese has its unique flavor and texture, cream cheese is a suitable alternative for those who prefer a milder taste or have difficulty sourcing goat cheese. Cream cheese's higher moisture content should be considered when substituting, but this can be managed by adjusting the proportions or mixing the two cheeses.
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Chevre is a versatile goat cheese
Chevre, derived from the French word "chèvre", which means "goat", is a versatile goat cheese with a distinct tangy and creamy flavour. Chevre is made from goat's milk and can be made in a variety of ways, ranging from soft and creamy to hard and crumbly, depending on its age.
The process of making Chevre involves warming goat's milk and adding bacteria culture and powdered rennet. The culture converts the milk's lactose into lactic acid, while the rennet acts as a coagulant to set the cheese. Chevre is typically white, moist, and mild when young and develops a rind as it ages, turning yellow, drier, and more crumbly, with a tangier taste.
Chevre is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is commonly used in salads, spread on crackers or bread, melted on pizza, or mixed into soups and pasta sauces. Chevre can also be used as a substitute for ricotta cheese in lasagna or as an alternative to sour cream to add creaminess and flavour to soups. Its versatility extends to cheese platters, where it can be served at room temperature to showcase its full range of flavours and aromas.
In the United States, Chevre is commonly found as a soft, fresh goat cheese, which has led to the misconception that Chevre is always soft and unaged. However, Chevre can be produced in different ways, and its texture and flavour vary with age and other factors, such as the breed of goat and their diet, as well as regional influences like climate and altitude.
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Frequently asked questions
Soft goat cheese softens well under heat but does not melt in the same way that cow's milk cheese does.
Goat cheese is a common French cheese that is made from goat's milk. It has a tangy, tart flavour compared to cow's milk cheese.
Chevre is a type of goat cheese that is commonly enjoyed in France. It is a soft, spreadable cheese that is often sold and served in a log shape.
Chevre can be spread on bread or crackers, crumbled over salads, eaten on sandwiches, or melted atop pizza.
Some dishes that use goat cheese include baked dips, pasta, filled dough, and whole wheat pizzas.
