Randy Chandler
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to pizzas to desserts. Its tangy, earthy flavour and creamy texture make it a great addition to many recipes. It can be baked, grilled, or served fresh, and pairs well with ingredients like beetroot, honey, eggs, and walnuts. With just three ingredients and a simple coagulation method, it's also easy and cost-effective to make at home. This paragraph will explore the many ways to cook with goat cheese and provide tips on how to prepare and serve this delicious ingredient.
Characteristics and their Values for Cooking a Whole Goat's Cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Goat's cheese flavour | Tangy |
| Goat's cheese texture | Creamy |
| Goat's cheese as an ingredient | Versatile |
| Goat's cheese serving suggestions | Salads, tarts, soups, risottos, pasta, pizza, omelettes, baked potatoes, cheesecakes, dips, sauces, etc. |
| Goat's cheese storage | Consume within a week and store in a drawer with lower humidity |
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What You'll Learn
How to make goat's cheese at home
Making goat's cheese at home is simple and cost-effective. It requires just three ingredients: fresh goat's milk, a curdling agent, and cheese salt.
First, source your goat's milk. It's best to use full-fat, pasteurized goat's milk, as ultra-pasteurized milk won't curdle in the same way. You can use raw goat's milk if you can get your hands on some, or even try cow's milk, but this will result in cream cheese rather than goat's cheese.
Next, you'll need to separate the goat's milk into curds and whey. To do this, you can use a curdling agent such as citric acid, lemon juice, vinegar, or rennet. Dissolve your chosen curdling agent in water before adding it to the goat's milk.
Once the milk has curdled, you can begin to form your cheese. If you want to roll your cheese into a log, you'll need to strain the curds for at least six hours. The more liquid you remove, the firmer your cheese will be. After straining, dollop the curds onto a cutting board and use your hands to gently push and roll them into a log. If this doesn't work, try dolloping the curds onto a sheet of wax paper or plastic wrap and using that to help shape it into a log. Chill the cheese for 30 minutes before rolling it to give it a chance to firm up.
Finally, wrap the goat cheese log in plastic wrap and twist the ends together tightly to secure it. Move it to the fridge to chill and set. Your homemade goat cheese will last between one and two weeks in the fridge, but it's best to use it within a week. If you want to keep it longer, it's best to freeze it soon after preparing, tightly wrapped, to maintain its texture and moisture content.
There are endless ways to serve and consume your homemade goat cheese. You can spread it over toast, bagels, or croissants, serve it as part of a cheese platter, crumble it over salads, mix it into pasta sauces, or use it on baked potatoes.
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Goat's cheese in salads
Goat's cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads. Its tangy, earthy flavour and creamy texture make it a great addition to many salad recipes.
One popular option is to pair goat's cheese with roasted vegetables and a tangy dressing. For example, a salad with roasted beetroot, carrots, and beet greens can be paired with a simple dressing made by whisking together goat's cheese, vinegar, and oil. The sweetness of the beetroot and carrots pairs well with the tangy, earthy flavour of the goat's cheese.
Another option is to create a sweet and creamy goat's cheese salad with fruit and cranberries. This salad combines arugula, Lebanese cucumbers, purple onions, grapes, and dried cranberries, which are marinated in a tangy lemon vinaigrette. The goat's cheese is then added on top, along with poppy seeds for added texture. The sweetness of the fruit and the tanginess of the vinaigrette complement the creamy, tangy flavour of the goat's cheese.
Goat's cheese also works well with apples in a salad. This type of salad typically includes mixed salad greens, chopped apples, raisins, and grapes, with a dressing made from olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, lemon juice, and garlic. The walnuts and goat's cheese are then sprinkled over the salad. The sweetness of the apples and raisins pairs well with the tangy, creamy goat's cheese.
Additionally, goat's cheese can be used as a topping for vegetable tarts or pizzas, which can then be served with a side salad. The goat's cheese adds a tangy, creamy element to the dish, and the salad provides a fresh contrast to the richness of the tart or pizza.
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Goat's cheese in pasta
Goat's cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads and tarts to soups and risottos. It can also be baked, grilled, or used as a topping or filling. One popular way to use goat's cheese is in pasta dishes, where it adds a creamy texture and tangy flavour. Here is a simple recipe for a delicious and creamy goat's cheese pasta that can be made in just one pot and is ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients:
- Pasta of your choice (penne, rotini, farfalle, shells, macaroni, rigatoni, fusilli, mafalda, linguini, fettuccine, spaghetti, or spaghettini)
- Butter or margarine/butter substitutes (unsalted butter is preferable to control the sodium)
- 1-2 cloves of Garlic – adjust the amount according to your preference
- Half a lemon (for lemon zest and lemon juice)
- Soft goat cheese
- Cream (half and half, single, or double)
- Fresh basil and parsley for garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Optional Ingredients:
- Onion
- Tomatoes (fresh or tinned)
- Vegetable stock
- Dill or other herbs
- Olive oil
Method:
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Al dente pasta is preferable as it will continue to cook in the sauce.
- Make the sauce by heating butter or margarine in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until aromatic.
- Add the goat's cheese and cream, stirring and whisking until smooth. You can also add some pasta water to thin out the sauce if needed.
- Stir in the basil, parsley, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce, adding more pasta water if the sauce becomes too thick.
- Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.
Tips:
- This recipe is perfect for busy days as it is quick and easy to make, and it can be made in just one pan.
- You can adjust the amount of goat's cheese to your preference, adding more or less to suit your taste.
- For a thinner sauce, simply add more pasta water.
- If you like your pasta with a kick, add some chilli or smoked paprika.
- This pasta goes well with a bright, fresh salad and crusty bread.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days and reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop.
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Goat's cheese in bakes
Goats cheese in bakes
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of bakes, from appetizers to mains and desserts. Its tangy and creamy flavour profile makes it a perfect pairing with sweet and savoury ingredients alike.
Appetizers
Baked goat cheese is a popular appetizer option that can be whipped up in a food processor and served with crusty sourdough, crostini, or toasted pita wedges. To make this, simply combine goat cheese, cream cheese, honey, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes in a food processor. Process until the mixture is lightly whipped, about 2 minutes, tasting and adjusting the seasoning as needed. Transfer the mixture to a small oven-safe baking dish and drizzle with honey. Bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 13 to 15 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden.
For a simpler baked goat cheese appetizer, slice the goat cheese into rounds and arrange them in a cast iron pan. Drizzle with honey and add crushed red peppers. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 17-20 minutes or until golden. Top with chives before serving.
Another easy and delicious option is to pair baked goat cheese with fig jam and toasted pecans. To make this, freeze the goat cheese for 15 minutes before slicing into 1/2 inch thick rounds. Add the rounds to a small cast iron skillet or baking pan and drizzle with olive oil. Add spoonfuls of fig jam to the open pockets and sprinkle with chopped pecans and fresh thyme. Bake for 15-18 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit until bubbling and warmed through.
Mains
Goat cheese can be used in a variety of vegetarian main course salads, adding a tangy and creamy element. Try pairing it with roasted vegetables and a tangy dressing, or with warm roasted beets, carrots, and beet greens. Goat cheese also works well in pasta dishes, such as a pasta with leeks, walnuts, garlic, and chilli.
For a heartier option, try using goat cheese in a vegetable tart or a veggie pizza. Goat cheese can also be used to make a rich and creamy cheese sauce for a ratatouille bake.
Desserts
Goat cheese can even be incorporated into dessert recipes, such as a cheesecake with a savoury twist or a creamy pudding. To make the pudding, blend vanilla custard with soft goat cheese and a touch of lemon juice.
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Goat's cheese in breakfasts
Goat's cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of breakfast dishes. Here are some ideas for including goat's cheese in your breakfast:
Goat's Cheese Toasts
A popular option is to make goat's cheese toasts or open sandwiches. Start with a slice of toasted sourdough or whole-grain bread. Spread a generous amount of goat's cheese on top, and if it's too hard to spread, soften it in the microwave for a few seconds. You can top the cheese with a variety of ingredients, such as:
- Fresh herbs like basil, dill, or cilantro
- Vegetables like sliced tomatoes, roasted red peppers, avocado, arugula, or grilled corn
- Fried or scrambled eggs
- Fresh peas
Omelette
You can also make an omelette with goat's cheese. Try a grilled omelette with a sweet onion base, dotted with creamy goat's cheese and served with a side salad. Alternatively, make scrambled eggs with the goat's cheese sauce, a drizzle of olive oil, and fresh rosemary.
Salad
For a lighter breakfast option, you can make a salad with goat's cheese. Combine warm roasted beets, carrots, and beet greens with a simple dressing made by whisking goat's cheese with vinegar and oil. You can also add other ingredients like walnuts, leeks, and chilli for a more substantial meal.
Baked Goods
Goat's cheese can be used in baked goods like pastries and tarts. For a sweet option, try making a cheesecake with goat's cheese for a savoury twist. Or, for a savoury breakfast, make puff pastry tartlets with cherry tomatoes and goat's cheese.
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