Bushra Griffith
Goat cheese, or chevre, is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of sweet and savory dishes. From salads to pastas, pizzas, and even desserts, goat cheese adds a creamy, tangy, and earthy flavor to any meal. Making goat cheese at home is a simple and cost-effective process that only requires a few ingredients and no specialized equipment. The versatility of goat cheese extends to its ability to be flavored with herbs, spices, and nuts, making it a star ingredient in any dish. Whether store-bought or homemade, goat cheese is a delicious and nutritious option that can elevate any recipe.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Ingredients | 3 |
| Equipment | Cheesecloth, Thermometer |
| Milk Type | Full-fat Goat's Milk |
| Milk Quality | Pasteurized |
| Salt Type | Cheese Salt (Kosher Salt) |
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What You'll Learn
Making goat cheese at home
Ingredients and Tools:
- Goat's milk (preferably full-fat and pasteurized)
- Acid (lemon juice, vinegar, or citric acid)
- Non-iodized salt (such as kosher salt)
- Colander
- Cheesecloth or butter muslin
- Saucepan
- Food thermometer
- Wooden spoon or ladle
Step 1: Heating the Milk
Slowly heat the goat's milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Use a food thermometer to monitor the temperature. Heat the milk to around 180°F to 185°F (82°C to 85°C). Stir frequently to ensure even heating. Gentle bubbles will form, and the surface will become foamy.
Step 2: Adding Acid and Curdling
Once the milk reaches the desired temperature, remove it from the heat. Add the acid (lemon juice, vinegar, or citric acid) and stir gently. The milk will start to curdle and thicken. You can also add calcium chloride at this stage if desired. Let the mixture sit for about 10 to 30 minutes.
Step 3: Straining and Draining
Line a colander with two or three layers of cheesecloth or butter muslin. Slowly pour the curdled milk into the colander. The curds will be small, like tiny specks. Allow the whey (liquid) to drain from the curds. You can save the whey if desired, as it is nutritious and flavorful.
Step 4: Adding Salt and Shaping
Add a small amount of non-iodized salt to the cheese and stir or mash it in. Then, use your hands to shape the cheese. You can form it into a small wheel, log, or ball. You can also use a cookie cutter as a mold for shaping.
Step 5: Chilling and Serving
Chill the cheese in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving. This will improve its flavor and texture. Once chilled, your homemade goat cheese is ready to enjoy! Serve it on toast, bagels, crackers, or use it in salads, pasta, or any dish that calls for a creamy and tangy cheese.
Storage and Flavoring:
Your homemade goat cheese will last for about 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator. For longer storage, you can freeze it tightly wrapped for up to 6 months. Thaw it slowly in the refrigerator before using it, and blend or add milk if the texture changes. You can also flavor your goat cheese with various ingredients such as herbs, spices, nuts, or seeds to create different savory options.
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Goat cheese salads
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of salads. Here are some ideas for delicious and nutritious goat cheese salads:
Baked Goat Cheese Salad with Walnut Vinaigrette
This salad features warm, gooey goat cheese disks with buttery pecans and bright greens. The star of the show is the creamy walnut vinaigrette, made with walnut oil, red wine vinegar, egg yolks, honey, and Dijon mustard. The nutty, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors of the vinaigrette perfectly complement the crisp goat cheese and pecans. To make this salad even more indulgent, you can add candied pecans or dried berries.
Goat Cheese Salad with Arugula and Apples
This salad combines the bitterness of arugula, the sweetness of apples, the tanginess of a lemon dressing, and the creaminess of goat cheese. You can also add pumpkin seeds for a crunchy texture. If Asian pears are available, they can be used instead of apples for a unique flavor profile. This salad is a perfect blend of different textures and flavors and can be served as a main or side dish.
Sweet and Creamy Goat Cheese Salad with Fruit and Cranberry
This salad is a delightful mix of sweet and savory flavors. It features arugula, Lebanese cucumbers, purple onions, grapes, sliced almonds, and dried cranberries, all topped with creamy goat cheese and poppy seeds. The addition of olive oil, lemon juice, jam, and seasonings creates a tangy lemon vinaigrette that brings the salad together. This salad is perfect for summer evenings and pairs well with a dry, zesty white wine.
Goat Cheese Salad with Warm Roasted Beets
This salad combines warm roasted beets, carrots, and beet greens with a simple dressing made by whisking fresh goat cheese with vinegar and oil. The sweetness of the beets and the tanginess of the goat cheese create a delicious contrast. This salad can be enjoyed as a side or main dish and is a great way to showcase the versatility of goat cheese.
Tips for Customization
When making goat cheese salads, you can get creative and experiment with different ingredients. Here are some tips to customize your goat cheese salad:
- Use different types of greens such as spinach, spring mix, or chopped romaine.
- Try various toppings like candied pecans, walnuts, or dried berries.
- Experiment with different dressings, such as balsamic vinaigrette or a store-bought option.
- If you're short on time, use store-bought croutons instead of making them from scratch.
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Goat cheese appetizers
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in appetizers, mains, and desserts. Here are some ideas for goat cheese appetizers:
Whipped Goat Cheese
A simple, 5-minute appetizer that is perfect for a party. All you need is some fresh goat cheese, whisked until creamy, and flavored with garlic and fresh herbs. Serve it with crackers or crostini for dipping, or add it to a veggie tray.
Goat Cheese with Fig Jam and Pecans
This warm goat cheese dip is another quick and easy appetizer, ready in just 10 minutes. Warm some fig jam with honey, balsamic vinegar, and a little thyme, then drizzle over a log of goat cheese. Sprinkle with chopped pecans and serve with crackers or crostini.
Goat Cheese with Balsamic Glaze and Honey
Stuff mini sweet peppers with goat cheese, bake for 15 minutes, then drizzle with balsamic glaze and honey.
Goat Cheese Bruschetta
Top some homemade crostini with goat cheese and honey for a delicious sweet and savory appetizer.
Goat Cheese with Warm Marinara
A simple but tasty idea—serve some goat cheese with a bowl of warm marinara sauce and sliced baguette for dipping.
Savory Goat Cheese Balls
Coat small balls of goat cheese with club soda-lightened egg batter, then roll in panko crumbs and fry. Serve as an appetizer with a sweet-savory dipping sauce.
Goat cheese is a delicious and versatile ingredient, and these recipes are just a few ideas for appetizers. You can also use it in salads, pastas, or even cheesecakes for a savory twist on a classic dessert.
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Goat cheese in main dishes
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of main dishes. Its tangy and earthy flavor profile, along with its creamy texture, makes it a delightful addition to many recipes. Here are some ideas for incorporating goat cheese into your main courses:
Pasta Dishes:
Goat cheese pairs exceptionally well with pasta. Try making a creamy goat cheese sauce by blending goat cheese, olive oil, milk, and pasta cooking water. Toss this sauce with your favorite pasta shape for a quick and delicious meal. You can also add other ingredients like Parmesan cheese, mushrooms, or leafy greens to create a heartier dish. For a lighter option, consider making a goat cheese lasagna by tossing the ingredients in a goat cheese sauce and broiling it briefly, as suggested by chef Justin Smillie.
Salads:
Goat cheese adds a creamy tanginess to salads. Try pairing it with roasted beets, carrots, beet greens, or avocado for a colorful and nutritious option. You can also include other ingredients like walnuts, pears, apples, or pumpkin seeds for added crunch and sweetness.
Vegetable Tarts:
Goat cheese is an excellent choice for vegetable tarts. Its creamy texture and tangy flavor complement the crispiness of the tart shell. You can use a variety of vegetables, such as roasted veggies, bell peppers, or radicchio, to create a flavorful and colorful tart.
Risottos:
The creaminess of goat cheese enhances the texture of risottos. Try adding goat cheese to a mushroom risotto or a simple vegetable risotto for a rich and indulgent main course.
Pizza:
Goat cheese is a fantastic topping for pizza. It pairs well with a tangy tomato sauce, garlic, and onions. You can also add other ingredients like basil or vegetables to create a unique and flavorful pizza.
Soups:
For a cozy and comforting main course, try adding goat cheese to soups. It can be swirled into cauliflower soup or blended with vanilla custard to create a creamy and tangy pudding-like consistency.
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Flavouring goat cheese
Goat cheese is an incredibly versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of sweet and savoury dishes. It has a unique, tangy flavour and a soft, creamy texture.
When making your own goat cheese, you can flavour it however you like. You can add dried herbs such as chives, thyme, rosemary, tarragon, basil, or dill. You can also coat the cheese in fresh herbs once it has been moulded. Another option is to cover the cheese in chopped nuts, either raw or toasted. You can also add salt to the cheese to enhance its flavour. If you want to add milk, it's best to add the herbs at the same time to distribute them evenly throughout the cheese.
If you're looking for a more savoury option, you can try adding garlic, orange zest, or red pepper. You can also try marinating the cheese in oil, or pairing it with ingredients like avocado, smoked salmon, or honey.
Goat cheese can be used in a variety of dishes, both sweet and savoury. It can be baked into a cheesecake, crumbled over a salad, or paired with eggs for breakfast. It can also be used as a spread on crackers or crostini, or as a dip for vegetables. In terms of drinks, goat cheese pairs well with dark stout, gin and tonic, or a fruity and sweet white wine.
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