Bushra Griffith
Goat cheese is a deliciously creamy addition to countless dishes. A goat cheese trio is an appetizer that can be put together in five minutes and requires no oven space. To make a goat cheese trio, cut logs of goat cheese in half and place them on a serving platter. You can then add toppings of your choice. Some topping options include walnuts, walnut oil, fig preserves, honey, pesto, and pepper jelly. The goat cheese trio can be served with crackers or sliced baguette.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation Time | 5 minutes |
| Oven Space Required | No |
| Serving Suggestions | Crackers, sliced baguette, bread |
| Toppings | Fig preserves, honey, walnuts, pesto, pepper jelly |
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Preparing the goat cheese
If you want to prepare your goat cheese in advance, you can try marinating it. To do this, first, preheat your oven to 350°F. Place some walnuts on a small cookie sheet and toast them in the oven until they are golden brown and fragrant, stirring them occasionally, which should take around 12 minutes. Allow the walnuts to cool completely before finely chopping them. Then, layer the walnuts, walnut oil, and goat cheese rounds in an 8-ounce jar, seasoning each layer generously with pepper. Finally, pour in enough walnut oil to fill the jar completely, seal it tightly, and refrigerate. This can be prepared up to a week in advance.
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Choosing toppings
Goat cheese is a deliciously creamy addition to countless dishes. When it comes to choosing toppings for a goat cheese trio, the options are endless. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Sweet or Savory?
First, consider whether you want to go in a sweet or savory direction. On the sweet side, you could pair your goat cheese with honey, as suggested by Valerie's Kitchen, or try something a little different like warm honey and Greek yogurt, which cools to a caramel-like consistency. If you're feeling adventurous, you could even try drizzling your goat cheese with pepper jelly, as suggested by a commenter on Valerie's Kitchen. On the savory side, options abound, from traditional choices like walnuts and fig preserves to more creative options like pesto or a mushroom-based topping.
Texture
Next, think about texture. Do you want something crunchy or creamy? For a crunchy texture, consider topping your goat cheese with nuts such as walnuts, pecans, or pumpkin seeds. For a creamy texture, you could pair your goat cheese with a spreadable topping like pesto or honey, or even blend it with soft goat cheese and lemon juice for a uniquely tangy and creamy pudding, as suggested by Chicago pastry chef Dana Cree.
Flavor Profiles
When choosing toppings for your goat cheese trio, consider playing with different flavor profiles. For example, you could pair the tanginess of goat cheese with something sweet like honey or fig preserves, or you could enhance the tanginess with a topping that has a similar flavor profile, like a pickled marmalade-like condiment called chhundo, which has a tangy and sticky-sweet flavor with a light heat. You could also experiment with savory flavor profiles, like pairing goat cheese with pesto or zucchini, as suggested by Valerie Bertinelli, or even portobello mushrooms and sour cream, as done by Alton Brown in his twist on the classic stroganoff.
Color and Presentation
Finally, consider the visual appeal of your toppings. Choose colorful toppings like chopped walnuts, dried cranberries, or pomegranate seeds to add a pop of color to your dish. You can also get creative with how you present your toppings. For example, you could layer them in a jar, as suggested by Epicurious, or serve them alongside the cheese, as suggested by a commenter on Valerie's Kitchen.
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Choosing sides
Goat's cheese is a deliciously creamy addition to countless dishes, and a goat cheese trio is a great appetizer or side dish. The cheese can be served with a variety of toppings, such as fig preserves, honey, walnuts, and pesto. It can also be served with crackers or sliced baguette, or even with a salad.
If you want to add a more savory element to your meal, consider serving the goat cheese trio with a simple salad of arugula, Asian pear or green apple, lemon dressing, and pumpkin seeds. This combination offers a perfect mix of bitter, sweet, tangy, and crunchy elements.
For a heartier option, you could pair the goat cheese trio with a pasta dish. Simply combine goat cheese, Parmesan, milk, and hot pasta cooking water for a delectably rich sauce. You could also try adding cherry tomatoes and creamy goat cheese to pasta, or even making a risotto with mushroom-soaking liquid and topping it with goat cheese.
If you're looking for something a little more unique, you could try serving the goat cheese trio with a cauliflower soup, topped with crispy roasted cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, and a sprinkle of herbed goat cheese. Or, for a fun twist on a classic, serve the goat cheese with a zucchini tart or traditional ratatouille.
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Presentation
When it comes to presenting a goat cheese trio, the key is to keep it simple yet elegant. Here are some ideas and suggestions for a stunning presentation:
Plating and Serving:
Cut logs of goat cheese in half and place them on a serving platter. You can use a single large platter or opt for individual plates for each guest, depending on the occasion and the number of guests. Arrange the cheese halves with some space between them, as you will be adding toppings.
Toppings:
The toppings you choose will add colour, texture, and flavour to your presentation. Consider a variety of options such as fig preserves, honey with chopped walnuts or pecans, pesto, or even pepper jelly. You can also get creative and experiment with other toppings like cinnamon and brown sugar crumble, sun-dried tomatoes, porcini mushrooms, or olive oil and fresh rosemary. Spoon your desired toppings over each section of cheese, being generous but also mindful of creating a balanced look.
Accompaniments:
To complete your presentation, serve the goat cheese trio with crackers or a sliced baguette. You can arrange these around the cheese, providing a contrast in texture and colour. If you'd like to offer a variety, consider including some homemade English oat crackers or a sliced rustic loaf. For a heartier meal or a more substantial offering, goat cheese trios can also be served with bread, pizzas, pastas, or salads.
Garnishes:
Add a final touch by garnishing your platter. You can use fresh herbs like rosemary or basil sprigs, or even edible flowers, to add colour and elegance.
Remember, the presentation should showcase the cheese and toppings while also creating a visually appealing and inviting dish for your guests.
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Storage
Goat cheese, like any other cheese, requires humidity and some room to breathe. Vacuum-wrapped goat cheese from the grocery store can keep unopened for at least two months. Once opened, remove the cheese from its packaging and store it in a lidded plastic or glass container in the refrigerator. If your goat cheese has a rind and didn't come in paper, wrap it first in wax paper and then in plastic before storing it in the refrigerator drawer.
If you have a Cheese Grotto, you can use it to store your goat cheese. The Grotto provides the right humidity for a fresh soft cheese disc to develop a rind, even at slightly cooler temperatures. If the humidity in your Grotto drops below 80% to 70%, your goat cheese will slowly cure into a cheese that can last up to two months, if not more.
If you've already cut into your goat cheese, store it in the fridge at a cooler temperature ranging from 40 to 55 degrees. High-moisture cheeses like Red Hawk store very well in the fridge in the Grotto and can last for up to one month.
Remember, goat cheese is meant to be eaten within a week, not stored long-term. Eat fresh goat cheese within a few days, and check on the aged and softer ripened types every other day or so. When you do, scrape off the surface with a knife and rewrap it in a new layer of wax paper, then plastic wrap.
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Frequently asked questions
A goat cheese trio is an appetizer consisting of goat cheese served with an assortment of toppings and sliced baguette or crackers.
Examples of toppings include fig preserves, honey and walnuts, pesto, and pepper jelly.
A goat cheese trio can be prepared in about five minutes and requires no oven space.
You can buy goat cheese logs at Costco.
Goat cheese can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads, pastas, pizzas, and desserts such as cheesecakes.
