Randy Chandler
Goat cheese, or chevre, is simple to make at home and can be adapted to suit your taste preferences. You can make plain goat's cheese and flavour individual portions, or flavour the entire batch. To enhance the flavour of cheddar goat cheese, you can add herbs, spices, honey, nuts, or even chocolate. Heating goat cheese can also mellow its flavour, so you can try grilling it or adding it to pizza or tarts.
Characteristics of enhancing the flavor of cheddar goat cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Herbs | Thyme, rosemary, laurel leaves, chives, dill, basil, marjoram, sage, parsley |
| Spices | Curry, ginger, white or black pepper, cinnamon |
| Other ingredients | Honey, chocolate pretzels, garlic, red pepper flakes, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, salt |
| Cooking methods | Heating, grilling, blowtorching, melting |
| Serving suggestions | Bread, pizza, tarts, salad, cheese sauce |
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What You'll Learn
Adding herbs and spices
Goat cheddar cheese is simple to make at home and you can flavour it however you like. You can add herbs and spices to your homemade goat cheese to create signature flavours for each season.
Aromatic herbs such as thyme, rosemary, laurel leaves, chives, dill, basil, parsley, marjoram, and spices such as curry, ginger, cinnamon, ground white or black pepper can give goat cheese a refreshing twist and mellow its gamey flavour. You can also use dried herbs and spice blends such as tarragon, za’atar, or dried Meyer lemon peel. For a decorative touch, roll logs of cheese in the seasoning mixture to form a flavoured crust.
You can also add other ingredients such as garlic, red pepper flakes, honey, chocolate pretzels, or even mix in toasted pecans and dried cranberries. If you want to mellow out the tangy flavour of the goat cheese, you can lightly rinse the cheese curds with cold water before leaving them to drain.
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Melting goat cheese on pizza
Choosing the Right Goat Cheese
Goat cheese, or chevre, comes in various forms, from soft and spreadable to aged and crumbly. For pizza, soft and creamy goat cheese is the best option. It will melt slightly and create those gooey, mouthwatering pockets of cheese.
Preparing the Pizza Dough
The key to a great pizza is starting with a good base. You can choose from a variety of dough options, depending on your preferences and equipment:
- Homemade Pizza Dough: Making your own dough allows you to customize it to your liking. You can follow a classic pizza dough recipe or go for a thin crust variation.
- Pre-made Pizza Crust: If you're short on time, you can opt for a pre-made pizza crust, such as a Pillsbury pizza crust or a store-bought dough from your local bakery.
Toppings and Flavor Combinations
Goat cheese pairs well with various ingredients, allowing you to create different flavor profiles. Here are some topping and flavor suggestions:
- Tomato Sauce: A tangy tomato sauce, whether red or white, provides a great base for your pizza. Fire-roasted canned tomatoes or fresh summer tomatoes will add a sweet and smoky flavor.
- Caramelized Onions: Sweeter than raw onions, caramelized onions add depth of flavor and a touch of sweetness to your pizza.
- Herbs: Fresh herbs like basil, thyme, and chili flakes will enhance the overall flavor of your pizza.
- Vegetables: Mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers, and arugula add texture and a healthy boost to your pizza.
- Meats: If you're a meat lover, consider adding prosciutto, chorizo, bacon, or ham to your pizza. These options pair exceptionally well with goat cheese.
- Fruits: Fruits like pears or grilled peaches can be a wonderful addition, creating a balance of savory and sweet flavors.
- Other Cheeses: Mozzarella, cheddar, or jack cheese can be combined with goat cheese to create a creamy and gooey texture.
Baking the Pizza
When it comes to baking, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Goat cheese melts differently from traditional melting cheeses. It tends to retain its shape and doesn't spread as much.
- Add the goat cheese before baking. Baked goat cheese has a unique texture and flavor compared to fresh.
- Bake the pizza until the cheese and crust are nicely browned. In a conventional oven, this should take around 5 to 7 minutes. In a pizza oven, it will be quicker, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Allow the pizza to cool for a minute or two before adding fresh basil or other heat-sensitive toppings.
Serving and Storage
- Always serve your goat cheese pizza fresh and hot from the oven. It's best enjoyed immediately.
- If you have leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator for a few days. Reheat the pizza in the oven or a skillet to regain that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- You can also freeze extra pizza for later. Simply thaw and reheat it whenever you're craving a slice.
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Mixing with honey
Mixing goat cheese with honey is an incredibly simple way to enhance the flavor of cheddar goat cheese. The sweetness of the honey blends beautifully with the tanginess of the cheese, creating a delightful flavor profile that is both surprising and delicious.
When mixing goat cheese with honey, it is essential to start with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Visit your local farmer's market to source the best goat cheese and honey for this combination. Look for goat cheese that has a nice tang and a textured appearance. For the honey, you can explore different varieties, such as chestnut honey, which adds an earthy, gamy depth to the dish. However, feel free to experiment with local honeys as well, as they can accentuate the cheese in subtle yet profound ways.
Preparing this dish is quite straightforward. Simply drizzle the honey generously over the goat cheese. If you're using a block of goat cheese, thickly slice it into rounds or form it into quenelles using two soup spoons. Arrange the cheese on a board or plate, or spread it onto toasted baguette rounds. You can also get creative and shape the goat cheese into a tower using molds or your hands.
To take this combination to the next level, consider adding some additional ingredients. Chopped hazelnuts, pecans, or other nuts can provide a delightful crunch and depth of flavor. You can also incorporate herbs, such as rosemary, lavender, or garlic, to add a savory twist. For a touch of spice, mix in some red pepper flakes, either directly into the honey or butter, or sprinkled on top of the dish.
Finally, remember to let the goat cheese come to room temperature before serving. Refrigeration can blunt the flavor and affect the texture of the cheese. By allowing it to warm up slightly, you'll ensure the flavors shine through and create a mouthwatering experience for your taste buds.
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Combining with cream cheese
Combining goat cheese with cream cheese is a great way to enhance the flavour of your goat cheddar. This mixture can be used as a dip or spread on bread, crackers, or apple slices. You can also form the mixture into small balls for a unique presentation.
To make this combination, simply mix softened goat cheese and cream cheese together until they are well combined. From there, you can add a variety of sweet or savoury ingredients to enhance the flavour. For example, you could add nuts, cranberries, and a touch of "Toast Sugar" from Portland Salt Co. for a sweet and crunchy combination. Alternatively, you could add honey, red pepper flakes, and butter to make a spicy, sweet, and creamy dip. If you're feeling creative, you can even add chocolate-covered pretzels to a bowl and serve the cheese mixture with a glass of light pinot noir or petit syrah for a unique flavour profile.
The beauty of making your own cheese combination is that you can control the texture, tartness, and dryness to your liking. You can also add your favourite herbs and other flavours to further accentuate the cheese. For example, you could add lavender, garlic, and herbs from Provence to create a unique and tasty combination.
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Using salt
Salt is an essential ingredient in the cheesemaking process. It helps to draw out moisture, which in turn affects the texture and flavour of the cheese. The right type of salt is important, too. Cheese salt, or kosher salt, is a non-iodized salt that is perfect for cheesemaking. The lack of iodine means that the salt won't inhibit the necessary cultures and bacteria in the cheese. Sea salt can also be used, but only after the cheese has curdled and drained.
When making goat cheddar cheese, salt is added at several stages of the process. First, after the curds have formed and the whey has been drained off, salt is stirred into the curds. The curds are then pressed into a mould or rolled into a log, wrapped in cheesecloth, and placed in a cheese press. Once the cheese has been removed from the press, it is rubbed with salt on all surfaces. This process is repeated once a day for three days, with the cheese being flipped frequently to ensure even coverage.
The amount of salt added to the cheese can be adjusted to taste. However, it's important to note that salt not only enhances the flavour of the cheese but also serves as a preservative, so the right amount of salt will help extend the shelf life of the cheese.
In addition to its role in the cheesemaking process, salt can also be used to enhance the flavour of goat cheese when it is served. A sprinkle of salt on top of a slice of goat cheese can bring out its flavours and make it a more appealing appetiser or snack. Salt can also be used in combination with other herbs and spices to create a flavourful crust or coating for goat cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many ways to enhance the flavor of cheddar goat cheese. You can add herbs such as thyme, rosemary, or chives, or spices such as curry, ginger, or black pepper. You can also add other ingredients such as honey, nuts, or dried fruit.
One recipe suggests adding honey, toasted pecans, and dried cranberries to your goat cheese. Another recommends drizzling honey over the surface of the cheese and sprinkling cracked red pepper on top. You can also try mixing in garlic, red pepper flakes, and herbs.
If you find the flavor of goat cheese too strong, you can try melting it on pizza or tarts, or warming it on toast and finishing it under a grill or with a blowtorch. You can also try mixing it with something milder, such as Emmental or Muenster cheese.
