Andy Montoya
Crumbled goat cheese, also known as chevre, is a versatile ingredient used in savoury and sweet dishes. It has a distinctive earthy flavour and a smooth, velvety texture. Unlike cheddar or mozzarella, goat cheese does not melt into a smooth sauce, but coats ingredients in a creamy texture when slightly heated. To get the most out of your goat cheese crumbles, bring them to room temperature before adding them to your dishes to enhance their creaminess and flavour. You can also mix goat cheese crumbles with milk, cream, or butter to create a spreadable cheese perfect for sandwiches, toasts, or crackers.
Characteristics and values of melting crumbled goat cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Crumbled goat cheese has a creamy, crumbly, and velvety texture. |
| Flavor | Tangy, earthy, and distinctive. |
| Storage | Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator at 40°F or lower. Consume within two weeks after opening. |
| Melting properties | Goat cheese does not melt smoothly like cheddar or mozzarella but coats ingredients in a creamy texture when slightly heated. |
| Uses | Commonly used in savory and sweet dishes, sandwiches, toasts, crackers, and appetizers. |
| Spreadability | Mixing with milk, cream, or butter makes it more spreadable. |
| Freezing | Freezing is not recommended as it alters the texture. |
| Spoilage | Goat cheese crumbles may develop mold, a strong sour smell, or become excessively hard, crumbly, or slimy when spoiled. |
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What You'll Learn
Storing crumbled goat cheese
When storing crumbled goat cheese, proper wrapping is essential. You can use parchment paper, aluminium foil, or plastic wrap to individually wrap each portion. This practice prevents the transfer of odours and flavours between different cheeses and protects them from microbial contamination. Additionally, consider using a cheese box to store your crumbled goat cheese. This option helps keep the cheese separate from other foods in the refrigerator.
The refrigerator is the ideal location for storing crumbled goat cheese, but the specific location within the fridge matters. The vegetable drawer, with a temperature between 8°C and 10°C, provides an atmosphere similar to a cave, which is suitable for cheese storage. Depending on your preference for goat cheese, you can also place well-aged cheeses in the middle of the refrigerator, where temperatures range from 4°C to 6°C. If you want to halt the ripening process of fresh cheese, store it at the top of the refrigerator, where temperatures are between 0°C and 4°C.
When storing crumbled goat cheese in the refrigerator, ensure it is tightly sealed. Soft or semi-soft goat cheeses should be stored in a resealable plastic container, while semi-hard cheeses should be wrapped in parchment or wax paper and then foil or plastic wrap to prevent drying out. Proper storage practices will help maintain the flavour and aroma of your crumbled goat cheese.
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Melting methods
While goat cheese does not melt in the same way as other cheeses, there are several methods to soften or warm it. Goat cheese crumbles can be mixed with a spoonful or two of milk or cream to make the cheese spreadable. This mixture is perfect for sandwiches, toasts, or crackers. Another option is to slightly heat the goat cheese crumbles, which will enrobe your ingredients in a creamy coating. Goat cheese can also be baked, as seen in dishes like pizza, baked dips, stuffed dates, and pasta. When baking with goat cheese, it is important not to cook it for too long, as it may become grainy.
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Recipes with crumbled goat cheese
Crumbled goat cheese can be used in a variety of recipes, from appetizers to salads, pastas, and even desserts. Here are some ideas for recipes that use crumbled goat cheese:
Appetizers
- Crostini: Top crostini with crumbled goat cheese and red grape salsa, or with chhundo, a pickled marmalade made with green mangoes, Kashmiri chile powder, and other spices.
- Stuffed squash blossoms: Fry squash blossoms filled with a tangy goat cheese mixture and coated in a simple, light batter.
- Goat cheese balls: Mix crumbled goat cheese with chopped toasted pecans, cranberries, and honey. Roll the mixture into balls and serve.
Salads
- Arugula salad: Combine arugula, Asian pear, a lemon dressing, and crumbled goat cheese. Top with pumpkin seeds for a crunchy texture.
- Steak and goat cheese salad: Combine steak, crumbled goat cheese, and cranberries.
- Baked goat cheese salad: Bread crumbled goat cheese and bake it to create a crispy exterior, then serve over a bed of greens.
Pastas
- Pasta primavera: Toss pasta with spring onions, heavy cream, and crumbled goat cheese.
- Pasta with goat cheese: Combine pasta with shallots, chives, dill, parsley, cherry tomatoes, spinach, and crumbled goat cheese.
Other Savory Dishes
- Cauliflower soup: Top a creamy cauliflower soup with crispy roasted cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and crumbled herbed goat cheese.
- Scrambled eggs: Prepare scrambled eggs using Chef Daniel Patterson's boiling water method, then top with a goat cheese sauce, a drizzle of olive oil, and fresh rosemary.
- Pork chops: Top pork chops with pineapple, brown sugar, caramelized red onions, and crumbled goat cheese for a sweet and savory combination.
- Rolled leg of lamb: Stuff a leg of lamb with spinach, crumbled goat cheese, and pine nuts, then serve with Brussels sprouts cooked in butter and garlic.
Desserts
Cheesecake: Add a savory twist to a traditional cheesecake by using goat cheese in the batter, or sprinkle crumbled goat cheese over the filling for a rustic look. Serve with a berry sauce and fresh berries.
To crumble sticky goat cheese, chill it in the refrigerator or freezer for a few minutes to harden slightly, then crumble it with your hands or a fork.
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Crumbled goat cheese pairings
Crumbled goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes and paired with many different foods and drinks.
Fruits and Vegetables
Goat cheese is often paired with fruits and vegetables. Its creamy texture and mild taste go well with the natural sweetness of fruits like berries (strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries), apples (Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Granny Smith), and pears. It can also be sprinkled over roasted vegetables or used as a dip.
Breads and Crackers
Goat cheese is commonly spread on baguettes, toast, or crackers. It can be paired with honey, nuts, jams, or multigrain bread for a sweet and savory snack.
Salads
The tanginess of goat cheese complements the flavors of greens and other salad ingredients. It can be crumbled over a salad or mixed with salad dressing.
Pasta and Sauce
Goat cheese can be mixed into pasta dishes or used as a light sauce for fish or chicken. Its creamy texture and mild flavor enhance the taste of shrimp or grilled seafood in pasta.
Wines
Goat cheese pairs well with a variety of wines. The classic pairing is with Sauvignon Blancs, especially those from the Loire Valley in France, where goat cheese originated. Other recommended pairings include citrusy white wines such as Côtes de Gascogne, Rueda, Albarino, Alvarinho, Chablis, Pinot Grigio, dry Riesling, and Gruner Veltliner. For red wines, fresh and fruity options like Beaujolais, Gamays, and Red Burgundies are good choices. Goat cheese also goes well with high-acidity dry red wines such as Malbec, Merlot, and Syrah.
Beers
Several beer styles complement goat cheese nicely. Belgian or German wheat beers, with their clean, citrusy flavors, match the freshness of goat cheese, while the carbonation adds a nice touch. Herbal and hoppy Pilsners enhance the floral and herbal notes of the cheese. Fruity and tart Saison beers are also excellent choices, as they complement the earthiness and tang of goat cheese.
Cocktails
Goat cheese, with its tangy and lemony flavors, pairs well with gin-based cocktails. A simple gin and tonic can be elevated by adding jam, honey, fruit puree, or fresh herb simple syrups.
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Crumbled goat cheese alternatives
Goat cheese has a distinctive earthy, tangy, and robust flavour. It is usually creamy and soft, but matured goat cheese has a crumbly texture and a more tangy taste. If you're looking for alternatives to crumbled goat cheese, here are some options:
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese has a similar creamy and smooth texture to goat cheese. It has a milder flavour, but you can add Greek yogurt to give it that classic tanginess of goat cheese. Cream cheese works well in pasta dishes and spreads.
Mascarpone
Mascarpone is a sweet, tangy, and creamy cheese with a similar texture to goat cheese. It is less salty and sticky than goat cheese, making it a good alternative for those who don't like the strong flavour of goat cheese.
Tofu
For a dairy-free option, tofu is a great substitute for goat cheese. Medium-firm to firm tofu has a similar crumbly texture to matured goat cheese. To enhance the flavour, mix drained tofu with salt, nutritional yeast, and any desired herbs and spices.
Parmesan
Parmesan is a hard, crumbly cheese with a strong, salty, tangy flavour. While the texture differs from goat cheese, it can be used as a substitute in many dishes. It can be sprinkled or sliced over pasta, baked goods, or savoury meals.
Halloumi
Halloumi is a hard and chewy cheese that can be used as a goat cheese alternative in salads or veggie dishes. It has a salty, briny, and tart flavour, but its texture differs significantly from goat cheese.
Additionally, here are some tips for preparing crumbled goat cheese:
- If the goat cheese is very sticky, open it on its own wrapping, foil, or waxed paper to crumble it.
- For creamy goat cheese that is difficult to crumble, place it in the freezer for a few minutes to harden, then crumble it with your hands or a fork.
- To make goat cheese softer and more spreadable, mix it with a spoonful of milk or cream.
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Frequently asked questions
If the goat cheese is very creamy, you can place it in the freezer for 5 minutes and then crumble it with your hands or a fork.
Goat cheese does not melt like other cheeses. When heated, it will enrobe your ingredients in a creamy coating. To get the most out of your goat cheese crumbles, let them reach room temperature before adding them to your dishes.
Always store goat cheese crumbles in the refrigerator at a consistent temperature of 40°F or lower. Transfer opened cheese to an airtight container before refrigerating to prevent it from drying out.
Mixing goat cheese crumbles with milk, cream, or butter creates a spreadable cheese that is perfect for sandwiches, toasts, or crackers.
Crumbled goat cheese can be used in both savoury and sweet dishes. It goes well with honey, beets, and jalapenos. It can be used in baked dips, pasta dishes, and filled dough.
