Bushra Griffith
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be served in many ways. It can be enjoyed on its own or as part of a dish, and pairs well with both sweet and savoury flavours. Popular ways to serve goat cheese include spreading it on bread or crackers, using it as a dip, baking it, or adding it to salads. It can also be paired with various toppings, such as honey, fruits, vegetables, nuts, meats, or jams. Goat cheese is a good option for appetizers or snacks, and can be served cold or warm.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Goat cheese type | Chevre, Honey goat cheese, Herbed goat cheese, Baked goat cheese, Whipped goat cheese, Goat cheese log, Goat cheese dip |
| Base | Bread, Crackers, Crostini, Baguette slices, Rice crackers, Toast, Phyllo pastry cups, Pretzels, Apple slices |
| Toppings | Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts, Honey, Jam, Olive oil, Sea salt, Garlic, Herbs, Crispy prosciutto, Balsamic reduction, Sun-dried tomatoes, Smoked salmon, Pickled red onion, Capers, Dill, Basil, Morels, Crispy prosciutto, Nuts, Walnuts, Cranberry sauce, Fig jam, Pistachios, Pecans |
| Accompaniments | Salads, Summer salads, Wine |
| Temperature | Warm, Cold |
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What You'll Learn
Goat cheese with honey and fruit
Goat Cheese Appetizer with Honey, Fig, and Pistachios
This simple appetizer only requires four ingredients and takes about five minutes to prepare. First, chop some pistachios and place them on a plate. Roll a goat cheese log in the pistachios to coat the top and sides. Transfer the coated cheese log to a serving tray and drizzle with honey. Heat some fig spread in the microwave for 10-15 seconds and drizzle it over the goat cheese. Serve with crackers, sliced bread, or apple slices. For a festive touch, add dried cranberries to the pistachios and garnish the tray with fresh rosemary and cranberries.
Honey Goat Cheese Spread or Dip
This easy recipe is perfect for entertaining or as an appetizer. Simply combine tangy chevre, rich cream cheese, and sweet raw honey in a stand mixer, hand mixer, or food processor until smooth. Whip in some air to create a light, fluffy texture. Transfer the whipped cheese to a serving bowl and drizzle with extra honey if desired. Serve with crackers, apple slices, or bagels for dipping.
Goat Cheese Grilled Cheese with Honey and Spice
This decadent grilled cheese sandwich combines the sweetness of honey with the tanginess of goat cheese and the spiciness of red pepper flakes. Start by adding crumbled goat cheese and shredded cheese to a slice of bread. Drizzle with honey and top with another slice of buttered bread, buttered side out. Cook the sandwich until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted, then drizzle with more honey. Sprinkle on additional red pepper flakes if desired.
Goat Cheese with Honey, Black Pepper, and Lemon
This creamy and flavorful combination can be served as a dip for veggies or fruit slices, or spread on crackers or crostini. Simply combine goat cheese, honey, black pepper, and lemon juice in a food processor and blend until smooth. Cover and refrigerate for about an hour to allow the flavors to meld. Garnish with fresh herbs or a drizzle of honey if desired.
Additional Ideas
- Spread goat cheese with honey on a slice of baguette and toast in the oven until bubbly.
- Make a goat cheese, honey, and balsamic crostini topped with proscuitto.
- Serve goat cheese with honey and roast pears and sausage.
- Fill a portobello mushroom with goat cheese and honey and bake in the oven, then sprinkle with roasted nuts.
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Goat cheese with garlic and herbs
Preparation
Before preparing the goat cheese with garlic and herbs, it is recommended to chill the goat cheese log in the freezer for about 15 minutes to make slicing easier. You can then use a sharp, thin knife to slice the goat cheese into thin rounds.
Ingredients
For the garlic and herb component, you can use fresh or dried herbs, with dill, parsley, oregano, thyme, basil, mint, cilantro, and rosemary being popular choices. You can also add a touch of extra virgin olive oil for blending and drizzling. If you want to enhance the creaminess of the goat cheese, you can add a tablespoon of sour cream or creme fraiche.
Mixing
To mix the ingredients, you can use a mini food processor and pulse until the ingredients are well-blended. Alternatively, you can finely chop the herbs and mix everything together with a spoon or spatula by hand.
Serving Suggestions
- Spread on crackers, grilled bread, or baguette slices. For a sweeter option, try rice crackers or drizzle honey on top.
- As a topping for figs, sliced in half and scooped with the goat cheese mixture.
- As a filling for stuffed squash blossoms, jalapeño poppers, or hand pies.
- Tossed with hot pasta for a quick and flavorful dinner.
- As a topper for pizza, adding a garlicky twist.
- As a topping for a potato gratin or any other vegetable gratin.
- Crumbled into an omelette or frittata, pairing well with eggs.
- In a salad, such as a strawberry goat cheese arugula salad with strawberry slices, arugula, red onions, spicy pecans, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil.
- As a dip for bread, apple slices, or veggies.
Storage
The goat cheese with garlic and herbs can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. It is best served fresh, but any leftovers can be stored in a container with a tight-fitting lid.
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Goat cheese on bread
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from appetizers to desserts. Its distinct tangy flavor and creamy texture make it a perfect pairing for many types of bread. Here are some ideas for serving goat cheese on bread:
Garlic Bread
A classic garlic bread can be elevated by adding a layer of creamy goat cheese. This simple side dish is packed with flavor and can be served warm from the oven. To make it, combine butter, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, garlic paste, and the cheeses, spread the mixture on Italian bread, and bake until the cheese is lightly browned and the edges are crisp.
Grilled or Toasted Bread
Goat cheese can be spread on grilled or toasted sourdough bread or crusty artisan bread. For a more sophisticated appetizer, serve it with crackers or vegetables. To enhance the flavor, drizzle the goat cheese with extra virgin olive oil and garnish with dill fronds or fresh herbs.
Flatbread Pizza
For a quick and easy meal, top a store-bought flatbread with olive oil, goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and chopped Kalamata olives. Bake it in the oven for a crispy, thin-crust pizza. You can also use Indian naan bread as a base for a unique twist on traditional pizza dough.
Sweet Combinations
Goat cheese pairs well with sweet flavors, so try spreading it on toast and drizzling honey on top or adding chopped fruit. For a more indulgent treat, make a fruity, cheesy toast by spreading goat cheese on toasted bread and topping it with a stove-top fruit sauce and fresh mint.
Savory Combinations
Goat cheese can also be combined with savory ingredients. For a hearty breakfast, try spreading goat cheese on toast and topping it with scrambled eggs and fresh herbs. Alternatively, create a sophisticated sandwich by layering goat cheese with smoked salmon, Italian deli meats, or roasted vegetables.
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Goat cheese with jam
Goat cheese and jam is a delicious and easy appetizer. The tanginess of the goat cheese pairs well with the sweetness of the jam, creating a harmonious balance of sweet and salty flavours. Here are some tips and ideas for serving goat cheese with jam:
Choosing the Right Goat Cheese
Goat cheese, also known as chevre, is a spreadable and smooth cheese with a tangy flavour that complements jams nicely. Look for a fresh goat cheese log or block that can be sliced or crumbled. You can also use herbed goat cheese for added flavour, but avoid strongly flavoured varieties as they may overpower the jam.
Selecting the Perfect Jam
Fig jam is a popular choice to pair with goat cheese, as its rich sweetness balances the tanginess of the cheese. Other jam options include apricot, peach, blackberry, or even cranberry sauce or marmalade. If you want to get creative, you can add caramelized onions or pair it with a sandwich.
Preparing the Appetizer
There are a few ways to prepare the goat cheese and jam appetizer. One method is to bake the goat cheese with the jam. Simply freeze the goat cheese for 15 minutes, cut it into rounds, drizzle with olive oil, add spoonfuls of jam, and sprinkle with chopped nuts like pecans or pistachios. Bake it in the oven until warmed through and bubbly.
Another option is to create a warm cheese spread by crumbling the goat cheese, heating the jam with herbs, and pouring it over the cheese. Sprinkle with pepper and serve with crackers or crostini. You can also serve it with crunchy vegetables like carrots or celery. If you want to make it ahead of time, assemble the goat cheese and jam separately and combine them just before serving.
Presentation Ideas
Goat cheese and jam can be served in a variety of ways. You can roll the goat cheese log in chopped nuts like pistachios or crushed pecans to create a nutty crust, and then spread the jam on top. This can be served with crackers, bread, or crostini. You can also slice the goat cheese log and sprinkle the nuts on top, creating individual servings.
Storage and Serving Tips
If you're not serving the appetizer right away, you can store the goat cheese and jam separately in airtight containers in the fridge. The assembled appetizer can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days, but bring it to room temperature before serving to allow the cheese to soften and become spreadable.
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Goat cheese with cured meats
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many sweet and savoury dishes. It is a classic addition to a charcuterie board, paired with cured meats, crackers, nuts, fruits, and spreads.
When creating a goat cheese board, it is best to place the cheese on the board no more than one hour before serving. Choose spots on the board where the cheese logs will be evenly spread out, and roll the meats and place them near each goat cheese log. Fill the board with crackers, small bites, dips, and spreads as desired. You can also add edible and non-edible decorations to make it festive. For example, greenery, pine cones, and cinnamon sticks can be added for a holiday-themed board.
Goat cheese pairs well with cured meats such as bacon or prosciutto. You can slice open a chicken breast, stuff it with goat cheese, chopped tarragon, lemon zest, and seasoning, and then wrap it in bacon or prosciutto before baking. This creates a delicious and juicy dish with a tangy flavour.
Additionally, goat cheese can be served with cured meats as part of a salad. For example, a simple salad can combine arugula, Asian pear, lemon dressing, and goat cheese, with pumpkin seeds for crunch. Another option is to mix baked thyme-and-breadcrumb-coated goat cheese with crunchy garlic croutons and salad greens.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many ways to serve goat cheese as an appetiser. You can serve it on a tray with crackers, bread, or toast, and add toppings such as honey, fruit, nuts, cured meats, or jam. Goat cheese can also be baked in the oven with herbs, olive oil, or marinara sauce and served with crackers, crostini, or toast.
Goat cheese can be left out at room temperature for up to four hours without any food safety concerns. If you want it to last longer, it is recommended to serve the goat cheese straight from the fridge.
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many dishes. It can be served as a dip for crudités, spread on toast, baked into pastries, or used as a topping for pizza, chilli, or salad.
