Goat Cheese Cooking: A Beginner's Guide

Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to tarts, pizzas, soups, and even desserts. Baking or grilling goat cheese enhances its flavour and texture, making it a great option for appetizers or snacks. It can be paired with various ingredients, such as honey, nuts, vegetables, and meats, to create delicious and nutritious meals. With its tangy and creamy characteristics, goat cheese adds a unique twist to any dish, making it a popular choice for those seeking a savoury treat.

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How to grill goat cheese

Goat cheese can be grilled and served in a variety of ways. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to grill goat cheese:

Preparation

Before grilling, line a baking tray or wire grill rack with non-stick foil. Place the goat cheese rounds on the baking sheet and keep them refrigerated until you are ready to grill.

Grilling

Preheat the grill to a moderate to high heat. Place the baking sheet with the goat cheese rounds under the grill, about 3-4 inches from the heat source. Grill the cheese for 2-5 minutes, keeping an eye on it until it melts and turns a golden brown colour.

Serving

Grilled goat cheese can be served in many ways. It can be used as a topping for salads, tarts, pizzas, or sandwiches. It can also be the star of the dish, served as a starter or main course with various accompaniments such as beetroot, honey, nuts, fruits, or vegetables.

Example Dish: Grilled Goat Cheese Salad

One example of a dish featuring grilled goat cheese is a salad. To make this, you can lay beetroot slices on a plate, drizzling them with vinaigrette. Prepare a bed of rocket leaves dressed in vinaigrette, and place the grilled goat cheese on top. Finish the dish by drizzling the remaining dressing, perhaps garnished with herbs, around the plate.

Variations

There are many ways to vary this dish. You can add other ingredients to the salad, such as couscous, spinach, pecans, or semi-dried tomatoes. You can also change the type of cheese used, such as using aged goat cheese with the rind still attached, or trying other varieties like blue cheese.

Other Ideas

Beyond salads, grilled goat cheese can be used in a variety of dishes. It can be served with crackers and fresh figs, as a topping for a vegetable tart, or as a filling for stuffed chicken breasts wrapped in prosciutto. It can also be used in a toastie with apricot jam, or as a topping for a pizza with broccoli, courgette, and chilli.

How to bake goat cheese

Baking goat cheese is an easy and impressive way to elevate a simple dish. It can be used as an appetizer, a salad topping, or a dip. Here is a simple recipe for baking goat cheese, with tips on how to customise it to your taste.

Ingredients

• Goat cheese
• Cream cheese (optional)
• Honey
• Salt
• Pepper
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Garlic (optional)
• Fresh thyme leaves (optional)

Method

Start by preheating your oven to 400-450°F. While the oven is heating up, combine the goat cheese with the cream cheese, honey, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes in a food processor. Process the mixture until it is smooth and lightly whipped, which should take about 2 minutes. If you don't have a food processor, you can simply mix the ingredients by hand, but it may take a little longer to get a smooth consistency.

Taste the mixture and adjust the seasoning as needed. If you prefer it sweeter, add a little more honey; if you like it spicy, add another pinch of red pepper flakes. Once you're happy with the flavour, transfer the mixture to a small oven-safe dish. Pyrex, stoneware, or cast iron are all suitable options.

Bake the goat cheese on the upper rack of your oven for 13-20 minutes, until the top is lightly golden and bubbling. If you want to add a little extra colour and flavour, you can place the dish under the grill for the final 2-3 minutes of cooking.

Let the baked goat cheese cool for at least 5 minutes before serving. It can be served as a dip with toasted pita chips, crudites, or crackers. For a special touch, drizzle a little extra honey over the baked cheese before serving, and sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves, sea salt, and cracked pepper.

Variations

This recipe is a great base for experimentation. Try adding different herbs and spices, or using other types of cheese in addition to goat cheese, such as cream cheese, brie, or feta. For a sweeter dish, swap out the pepper for orange blossom honey and candied walnuts. If you're serving it as a salad, try combining it with beetroot, chicken, or bacon for a contrast of flavours and textures.

Goat cheese salads

Goat's cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads. Here are some ideas for goat cheese salads:

Arugula and Goat Cheese Salad

This salad combines arugula, Lebanese cucumbers, purple onions, sliced almonds, grapes, and dried cranberries. The salad is then marinated in a tangy lemon vinaigrette and topped with goat cheese and poppy seeds. To make the vinaigrette, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and poppy seeds. You can also add a splash of balsamic vinegar for a less tangy taste. The salad can be served as a side or main dish and is versatile—you can swap the toppings or veggies for what you have on hand.

Beetroot and Goat Cheese Salad

This salad features the classic combination of earthy beetroot and creamy goat's cheese. You can also add roasted parsnips and carrots to provide a contrast to the rich, creamy cheese. To make it even more indulgent, add a drizzle of hot honey.

Apple and Goat Cheese Salad

This simple salad combines mixed salad greens, apples, raisins, grapes, walnuts, and goat cheese. To make the dressing, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, lemon juice, garlic, and season with salt and pepper.

Goat Cheese Salad with Grilled Vegetables

Grill some vegetables of your choice, such as peppers, courgettes, or aubergines. Place the grilled vegetables in a bowl with some salad leaves and top with grilled goat's cheese. You can also drizzle the salad with a marinade of your choice.

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Goat cheese tarts

Goat's cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to tarts and pizzas. Here is a recipe for delicious goat cheese tarts, perfect as an appetiser or a main course.

Ingredients:

• Puff pastry
• Goat cheese
• Onions (red and/or yellow)
• Butter
• Sugar
• Thyme
• Oil
• Honey (optional)
• Fresh rosemary (optional)
• Balsamic vinegar (optional)

Instructions:

First, prepare the onions. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat and add the sliced onions and thyme. Saute for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then, add sugar and continue to cook for another 10 minutes, adjusting the heat if the onions are browning too quickly. Cook until the onions are softened and caramelised, and all the liquid has evaporated. This onion mixture can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen for later use.

Next, cut the puff pastry into the desired shape and size. Place them on a baking sheet. Mark a border about 1 cm in from the edge of the pastry with a sharp knife. This will create a boundary for your fillings.

Now, it's time to assemble the tarts. Spoon the caramelised onions into the middle of each pastry, smoothing them out. Top the onions with crumbled goat cheese. Drizzle oil over the tarts and place them in the oven. Bake at 220°C for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the pastry is golden brown.

For an extra touch of sweetness and flavour, you can add a drizzle of honey, some fresh rosemary, and a splash of balsamic vinegar to the tarts before serving.

These goat cheese tarts are best served warm and can be a delicious appetiser or a main course, paired with a side salad. They can also be made ahead of time and frozen, then reheated and served when needed.

Goat cheese starters

Goat's cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be baked, fried, or spread, and its tangy, earthy flavour and creamy texture make it perfect for starters. Here are some ideas for goat's cheese starters:

Salads

Salads are a great way to showcase the tangy flavour of goat's cheese. Try a gluten-free salad with candied sunflower seeds and cranberries, or a classic combination of goat's cheese and beetroot. For a French-inspired starter, serve a warm salad of rocket leaves, thick slices of toasted ciabatta bread, and caramelized pears, drizzled with a honey, mustard, and balsamic dressing. Goat's cheese also pairs well with sweet elements like apricot jam or honey-roasted pears, and the bitterness of chicory or walnuts.

Tarts

Goat's cheese is an excellent ingredient for tarts, adding a creamy texture and tangy flavour. Try a simple vegetarian tart with goat's cheese, tomato, and olive, or a more complex festive tart with carrots, sprouts, and cheese. For a quick and easy starter, top puff pastry tartlets with roasted garlic bulbs and cherry tomatoes, then finish with creamy goat's cheese.

Soups and Risottos

The creamy texture of goat's cheese is perfect for adding depth to soups and risottos. Try swirling goat's cheese into a vegetable soup or a simple risotto for a quick and easy starter.

Toasted Bread

Goat's cheese is delicious when spread on toasted bread. For a simple starter, try crostini: toast slices of baguette drizzled with olive oil, spread with goat's cheese, and top with roasted vegetables, herbs, or fruit. Alternatively, top toasted sourdough with goat's cheese and honey-roasted pears or walnuts for a tasty tartine.

Bakes

Baked goat's cheese is a classic starter. Try thick slices of goat's cheese on toasted ciabatta, or bake goat's cheese with ricotta and candied tomatoes. For a more complex dish, try a goat's cheese and vegetable galette, where the cheese bakes to bring out the flavours of the root vegetables.

With its versatility and unique flavour, goat's cheese is an excellent ingredient for starters, offering a range of options from simple toasts to elegant tarts.

Frequently asked questions