Goat Cheese Delight: Baking The Perfect Treat

how to cook goats cheese in oven

Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be cooked in a variety of ways, including frying, baking, and pan-frying. Frying goat cheese in olive oil creates a crispy, golden exterior, while baking it with honey and spices results in a creamy, tangy, and sweet appetizer. Goat cheese can also be crumbled or sliced into rounds and baked or fried, creating a warm and melty texture perfect for salads or dips. Whether fried, baked, or used as an ingredient in sauces, goat cheese adds a unique flavour and texture to any dish.

Characteristics Values
Oven temperature 400°F-425°F
Baking time 13-20 minutes
Cheese Goat cheese, cream cheese
Other ingredients Honey, garlic, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, egg, flour, breadcrumbs, olive oil, za'atar
Serving suggestions Sourdough, crostini, pita wedges, berries, olives, tapenade, salad, soup

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How to make baked goat's cheese

How to Make Baked Goat Cheese

Baked goat cheese is an easy-to-make appetizer that is creamy, tangy, and lightly sweetened with honey. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make baked goat cheese in the oven.

Ingredients

  • Goat cheese
  • Cream cheese
  • Honey
  • Garlic
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Chives (optional)

Optional Ingredients for Serving

  • Crusty sourdough, crostini, or toasted pita wedges
  • Berries
  • Olives
  • Tapenade

Utensils

  • Food processor
  • Oven-safe baking dish (e.g. cast iron skillet, Pyrex or stoneware baking dish)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400–425°F with a rack in the upper third. Combine the goat cheese, cream cheese, 1 tablespoon of honey, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a food processor. Process the mixture for about 2 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed, until it is lightly whipped and completely combined.

Transfer the mixture to a small oven-safe baking dish. Before baking, drizzle a little honey over the dip. Place the baking dish on the upper rack of the oven and bake for 13–20 minutes, until the top is lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let it cool for at least 5 minutes before serving. Drizzle with honey once more, and top with chives if desired. Serve with your choice of crusty sourdough, crostini, or toasted pita wedges, along with berries, olives, or tapenade.

Variation: Fried Goat Cheese

For a variation, you can fry goat cheese discs in olive oil until golden brown on both sides. Coat the fried goat cheese with za'atar, a Mediterranean spice blend, for an earthy, tangy, and nutty flavor.

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Frying goat's cheese

Frying Goat Cheese

Frying goat cheese is a quick and effective way to add extra flavour and texture to your recipes. The key to frying goat cheese is to achieve a golden brown exterior with a soft and melting interior.

Ingredients

  • Firm goat cheese
  • Egg
  • All-purpose flour
  • Breadcrumbs
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Za'atar

Method

  • Freeze a 10-ounce log of goat cheese for 15 minutes.
  • Prepare your dredging station: crack one egg into a shallow bowl and whisk in 1 tablespoon of water. In another bowl, add 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour. In a third bowl, add 1/4 cup of breadcrumbs.
  • Remove the cheese from the freezer and slice it into 1/2-inch discs.
  • Coat one goat cheese disc at a time in the egg mixture, then the flour, and finally the breadcrumbs. Shake off any excess crumbs.
  • Heat 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Ensure the oil is hot but not smoking. You can test the temperature with a pinch of flour—if it sizzles when dropped into the oil, it's ready.
  • Once the oil is shimmering, add the goat cheese discs in a single layer, ensuring they are not crowded so they can crisp.
  • Fry the goat cheese discs for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and slightly crispy.
  • While the cheese is still hot, transfer to a plate of za'atar and roll each disc to coat, then shake off any excess.
  • Serve immediately.

Tips

  • You can experiment with different combinations of ingredients to personalise your fried goat cheese. For example, consider adding fresh herbs, honey, or even fresh figs, pear, or roasted vegetables.
  • You can also marinate the cheese before frying in a mix of olive oil, herbs, and an acid such as lemon juice or balsamic vinegar for extra flavour.

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Goat's cheese sauce

Goat Cheese Sauce

Goat cheese sauce is a thick and rich sauce that can be served with pasta, potatoes, or any dish of your choice. It can be made in a saucepan on a stove or in an oven. Here is a step-by-step guide to making goat cheese sauce in an oven:

Ingredients

  • Goat cheese
  • Milk
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Onion (optional)
  • Garlic (optional)
  • Chives (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F to 425°F.
  • Prepare the baking dish by pressing the goat cheese into the dish, leaving a 1-inch border around the edge.
  • If you want to add onions, heat some oil in a saucepan on the stove and cook the onions with a pinch of salt until they are translucent.
  • Pour 1 cup of milk into the saucepan and stir in the goat cheese until it melts.
  • Add the remaining milk, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring continuously until you achieve your desired consistency.
  • Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  • Pour the sauce over the goat cheese in the baking dish, spreading it evenly.
  • Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the goat cheese is warm and soft.
  • Remove from the oven and let it cool down for a few minutes before serving.

You can also add other ingredients to your goat cheese sauce, such as garlic or chives, to enhance the flavour. Additionally, if you prefer a smoother sauce, you can puree it before serving.

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Goat's cheese salad

Goats Cheese Salad

Ingredients

  • Arugula
  • Lebanese cucumbers
  • Purple onions
  • Grapes
  • Cranberries
  • Goat cheese
  • Bread
  • Butter
  • Garlic
  • Balsamic vinaigrette
  • Bacon
  • Honey

Method

Firstly, preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place a medium skillet over medium-low heat and melt the butter and garlic. Turn off the heat, add the bread to the skillet, and toss to coat. Place the bread pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single layer.

Next, assemble the salad. Toss the arugula in balsamic vinaigrette and top with the remaining ingredients, or simply drizzle the dressing on top.

For the goat's cheese, slice the cheese into rounds. Preheat a cast-iron pan on high for 2-3 minutes. Arrange the cheese in the pan and cook on high for 1 minute. Drizzle with honey and add crushed red peppers. Bake at 400°F for 17-20 minutes or until golden. Top with chives.

Finally, crumble the goat's cheese over the salad and serve.

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Goat's cheese as an appetizer

Baked goat cheese is an easy and elegant appetizer that can be prepared in a variety of ways. Here are some mouth-watering options to consider:

Baked Goat Cheese with Honey and Red Pepper

This recipe yields 4 to 6 appetizer servings. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. In a food processor, combine goat cheese, cream cheese, honey, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste. Process the mixture for about 2 minutes until it is lightly whipped, pausing occasionally to scrape down the sides and base. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Transfer the mixture to a small oven-safe baking dish and bake until golden. Serve with crusty sourdough, crostini, or toasted pita wedges, along with berries, olives, or tapenade on the side.

Goat Cheese Crostini

Crostini are bite-sized pieces of toasted bread that make excellent appetizers. To make goat cheese crostini, start by drizzling slices of baguette with olive oil and toasting them in the oven. Once cooled, spread a generous amount of tangy goat cheese on each piece and top with sautéed or roasted vegetables and herbs, such as jammy red onions and basil, or morel mushrooms. You can also get creative with toppings, using fresh, seasonal fruits like sweet persimmons.

Baked Goat Cheese with Nuts and Herbs

This recipe allows you to customize your goat cheese appetizers with your favorite nuts and herbs. Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a mini food processor, combine nuts and herbs and process until finely chopped. Cut the goat cheese into slices or form them into small, flat patties. Brush each patty with oil and pat the nut and herb mixture onto all sides. Bake the coated patties until molten and serve warm with crackers or bread.

Baked Goat Cheese with Marinara Sauce

This recipe uses just three ingredients and takes minutes to prepare. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Press goat cheese into a small baking dish, leaving a 1-inch border around the edge. Spoon marinara sauce around the border, covering the edge of the goat cheese but not the middle. Sprinkle with salt and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the goat cheese is warm and soft, and the marinara is bubbling. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with basil, and serve immediately with crostini or garlic bread for dipping.

Whipped Goat Cheese Appetizer Ideas

Whipped goat cheese is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of appetizers. Try using it as a dip for crudités, dolloping it over roasted beets, spreading it on toast, or drizzling it over roasted cauliflower. You can even make tarts, galettes, or quesadillas with goat cheese, or offer it as part of a cheese board with a variety of textures and flavors.

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