Kamil Perry
Goat cheese is a delicious, creamy alternative to the traditional mozzarella pizza topping. It has a rich, tangy taste and a unique texture that makes it a perfect pairing with a variety of other ingredients. From caramelized onions to cherry tomatoes, there are many ways to cook with goat cheese to make a delicious pizza.
Characteristics and their values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dough | French bread, flatbread, fresh pizza dough, or gluten-free pizza dough |
| Base | Olive oil, pesto, or fig preserves |
| Toppings | Goat cheese, mozzarella, ricotta, caramelized onions, arugula, basil, oregano, balsamic glaze, prosciutto, avocado, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, or bacon |
| Cooking Method | Oven or smoker |
| Cooking Time | 5-15 minutes in the oven or until the cheese is bubbling and the crust is golden |
| Cooling Time | 1-2 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Pizza dough preparation
Pizza is a beloved dish for many, and making it at home can be a fun and rewarding experience. The key to a great pizza is often the dough, so here is a detailed guide on how to prepare pizza dough to ensure a delicious and satisfying result.
Ingredients:
To make pizza dough, you will need the following ingredients:
- Flour: All-purpose flour is a versatile option, but bread flour can also be used for a crispier crust.
- Yeast: Active dry yeast or instant yeast will help the dough rise, creating a puffy texture.
- Water: Warm water is ideal for activating the yeast.
- Sugar: Sugar provides food for the yeast, aiding in the rising process. Honey or maple syrup can be substituted for a unique flavour profile.
- Salt: Sea salt or kosher salt is essential for enhancing the flavour of the crust.
- Oil: Extra-virgin olive oil adds richness, moisture, and flavour to the dough.
Mixing and Kneading:
Start by mixing the dry ingredients (flour, yeast, sugar, and salt) in a large mixing bowl. Create a well in the centre and slowly add the warm water and olive oil. Mix until a shaggy dough forms, and then turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for about 3 seconds by hand or using a stand mixer until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Rising:
Place the kneaded dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with plastic wrap or a damp cloth. Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free area for about 30 minutes to an hour, or until it has doubled in size. This process is crucial, as it allows the yeast to activate and gives the dough its airy texture.
Shaping:
Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles and divide it in half if making two pizzas. On a lightly floured surface, use your hands or a rolling pin to gently flatten each portion into a disc. Stretch and shape the dough to your desired thickness, usually about 1/2 inch to 1 inch thick, creating a slightly thicker border around the edges to contain the toppings.
Final Preparation:
Place the shaped dough on a prepared pan, baking sheet, or pizza stone. If using a pizza stone, dust it with cornmeal to prevent sticking. Cover the dough lightly and let it rest for a few minutes while you prepare your desired toppings, such as goat cheese, sauce, and other ingredients of your choice.
Preparing pizza dough may seem daunting at first, but with these simple steps and the right ingredients, anyone can become a pizza-making pro. Remember to preheat your oven properly and adjust baking times as needed, depending on the number of toppings. Enjoy the process, and most importantly, savour the delicious results!
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Goat cheese placement
Crumbling or Dolloping:
Place the goat cheese on the pizza by crumbling it or adding it in dollops. This method ensures that the cheese is distributed evenly across the pizza. The dollops of goat cheese will create creamy, gooey pockets of cheese that are irresistible. You can be generous with the amount of goat cheese you use to ensure a cheesy delight.
Thin Coins:
Another option is to cut the goat cheese into thin coins and spread them across the pizza. This technique works well when making an arugula and goat cheese pizza with pesto. The thin coins of goat cheese will melt into the pesto, creating a delicious blend of flavors.
Before or After Baking:
You can add goat cheese to your pizza before or after baking, depending on the desired texture and presentation. If you want the goat cheese to melt into the other toppings, it is best to add it before baking. This will create a cohesive pizza where the flavors merge beautifully. However, if you want distinct pockets of creamy goat cheese, it is better to add it after baking. The warm pizza will still slightly melt the goat cheese, but it will retain its shape and texture.
Placement with Other Toppings:
When placing goat cheese on your pizza, consider the other toppings you are using. For example, if you are making a caramelized shallot and bacon goat cheese pizza, you might want to layer the goat cheese under the bacon and shallots. This allows the bacon to get crispy and the shallots to remain visible on top. Similarly, if you're using basil, you can add it after the pizza is baked to keep the leaves fresh and vibrant.
Type of Pizza:
The type of pizza you are making will also influence the placement of goat cheese. For example, if you are making a sheet pan pizza, you will want to ensure the goat cheese is distributed evenly across the pan. This may involve crumbling or spreading the goat cheese to cover the larger surface area. On the other hand, if you are making mini pizzas, you can place the goat cheese in the center and let it melt and spread as it bakes.
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Cooking temperature and time
The cooking temperature and time for goat cheese pizza will depend on the type of oven you are using, the crust you are making, and the toppings you choose.
If you are using a pizza oven, you will only need to cook your pizza for 1-2 minutes. For a standard oven, the temperature should be set between 400-500 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are making a sheet pan pizza, you will want to place the rack in the lowest position possible. If you are using a pizza stone, preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and cut a large piece of parchment paper to line the stone. If you are using a baking pan, preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a large baking pan.
The cooking time will depend on your oven and the toppings you choose. As a general rule of thumb, you should cook your pizza until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbling. This should take approximately 5-15 minutes in a standard oven. If you are reheating leftover pizza, bake for about 8 minutes or until warmed through, crispy, and the cheese is melted.
Keep in mind that everyone's oven is different, so you may need to adjust the temperature and time accordingly. Be sure to keep an eye on your pizza to ensure it doesn't burn.
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Oven rack placement
For a crispy crust and browned, bubbly top on your pizza, it is recommended to start by placing the rack on the bottom of the oven. This is because the bottom part of the oven has more intense heat, which is ideal for achieving a crisp crust. Bake your pizza on this rack until it is cooked through. The bottom rack is perfect for flatbreads and crusty breads as it ensures an even, golden-brown crust.
Once the pizza is cooked through, move the rack to the top position to brown the cheese. This is an optional step, but if you desire a cheesy pizza with a gooey, melted texture, the top rack will help achieve that. The top rack is generally used for casseroles and pies, as it gives a crusty brown top.
If you are unsure about oven rack placement, the middle rack is a safe option. The middle rack provides even heat distribution, preventing the pizza from browning or burning too quickly. It is a good choice when baking cakes, cookies, and brownies, but can also be used for pizza if you don't want an overly crispy crust or browned cheese.
It is worth noting that oven temperatures can vary, so it is important to keep an eye on your pizza to ensure it doesn't burn. Additionally, if you are using a pizza stone, be sure to preheat it before placing your pizza on it.
By following these oven rack placement instructions, you can ensure your goat cheese pizza turns out perfectly cooked, with a crispy crust and melted cheese.
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Pizza toppings
Goat cheese is a great choice for pizza because of its creamy texture and tangy flavour. It pairs well with a variety of toppings, from classic tomato sauce to more unique options like fig preserves or avocado. Here are some mouth-watering topping combinations to try with goat cheese:
Caramelized Shallot and Bacon
This pizza combines the sweet and salty flavours of caramelized shallots and bacon with the creamy tang of goat cheese. Start by caramelizing the shallots in olive oil with thyme, then assemble the pizza by spreading fig preserves and grated tomato mixed with garlic, salt, and pepper onto the dough. Add mozzarella, dollops of goat cheese, and fresh basil, then bake until the cheese is bubbling and the crust is golden.
Cherry Tomato and Goat Cheese
This pizza is a fresh and simple option that can be made in under 30 minutes. Start with store-bought pizza dough and bring it to room temperature before stretching it into a rectangular or oval shape on an oiled sheet pan. Halve the cherry tomatoes and mince the garlic, then top the dough with mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and crumbled goat cheese. Sprinkle with dried oregano and bake until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling.
Arugula and Goat Cheese
For a pesto-based pizza, spread pesto onto the dough and top with thin slices or crumbles of goat cheese and tomato slices. Sprinkle with garlic and brush the crust with olive oil before baking. Once the pizza is baked and cooled, add a handful of arugula for a fresh and delicious finish.
Goat Cheese with Caramelized Onions
This pizza features a classic combination of flavours with a tangy twist. Start by spreading olive oil on the dough and topping it with caramelized onions. Add dollops of goat cheese, then sprinkle with red onion slices, dried oregano, kosher salt, and pepper. Bake until the cheese and crust are browned, then top with basil before serving.
Prosciutto and Avocado Variations
For a savoury twist, add prosciutto to the classic goat cheese and caramelized onion pizza. Alternatively, create a veggie pizza with avocado, bell peppers, avocado, and basil, topped with dollops of goat cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes about 5-10 minutes to cook pizza with goat cheese in the oven.
The oven should be preheated to 450°F/230°C or 500°F depending on the recipe.
Some good toppings for goat cheese pizza include cherry tomatoes, caramelized onions, arugula, basil, balsamic glaze, prosciutto, avocado, bell peppers, and bacon.
You can use any type of dough for goat cheese pizza, including store-bought pizza dough, gluten-free dough, or homemade dough.
Leftover goat cheese pizza can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 day or frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C and bake for about 8 minutes or until warmed through and crispy.
