Goat Cheese Delicacy: Presentation Ideas For The Perfect Platter

Goat cheese, or chèvre in French, is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from starters and mains to desserts. Its tangy, creamy flavour and crumbly texture make it a delicious addition to salads, pasta, pizza, and more. It can be baked, grilled, spread on toast or crackers, or even used as a filling or sauce. Goat cheese is also lower in fat, calories, and cholesterol than cow's milk cheese, making it a healthier alternative. With just a few simple ingredients and methods, anyone can make their own goat cheese at home and impress their family and friends.

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Goat cheese as a salad topping

Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads. Here are some ways to incorporate goat cheese as a salad topping:

Baked Goat Cheese Salad

This salad, made famous by Alice Waters, combines a blend of lettuces with thyme-and-breadcrumb-coated goat cheese and crunchy garlic croutons. To prepare the goat cheese, divide it into four or eight equal portions and shape them into 1/2-inch-thick rounds. Drizzle olive oil over the goat cheese rounds, turning them to coat completely, and top with thyme sprigs. Bake the goat cheese until it is softly baked, and serve it warm on a bed of lettuce with garlic croutons.

Sweet and Creamy Goat Cheese Salad

This salad features a blend of arugula, Lebanese cucumbers, purple onions, grapes, sliced almonds, and dried cranberries, topped with crumbled or sliced goat cheese and a lemony vinaigrette. To enhance the creaminess, use ripened goat cheese. Drizzle olive oil over the salad, add a touch of jam, and season with salt and pepper to taste. For added crunch and flavour, sprinkle poppy seeds, walnuts, or candied pecans on top.

Warm French Goat's Cheese Salad

This salad uses a variety of lettuces, such as oak lettuce, bibb lettuce, cos/romaine lettuce, or iceberg lettuce, along with tomatoes, nuts, and bacon. Cut the goat cheese into slices or medallions, dredge them in flour, dip them in eggs, and coat them with breadcrumbs. Pan-fry the crumbed goat cheese in butter until golden brown, and place them on top of the assembled salad bowls. Drizzle with a dressing of your choice and sprinkle with chives. Serve immediately while the cheese is still hot and melty.

Beetroot and Goat Cheese Salad

This vegetarian salad combines the tangy flavour of goat cheese with roasted beets, carrots, and beet greens. Whisk together fresh goat cheese with vinegar and oil to create a creamy dressing, and toss it with the salad. The sweetness of beetroot and the tanginess of goat cheese create a delightful contrast in this easy-to-prepare dish.

Arugula, Pear, and Goat Cheese Salad

This salad showcases the perfect balance of bitter, sweet, tangy, and crunchy elements. Start with a base of arugula, add sliced Asian pears or green apples, and top with lemon dressing and goat cheese. For an extra crunch, include some pumpkin seeds. This salad pairs well with a dry, zesty white wine like Sauvignon Blanc.

Goat cheese in pasta and pizza sauces

Goat cheese can be used in pasta and pizza sauces in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas and recipes:

Creamy Goat Cheese Pasta

For a simple and quick creamy goat cheese pasta, you will need the following ingredients: soft goat cheese, cream or milk, pasta water, fresh basil and parsley, salt and pepper, and Parmesan cheese. Cook the pasta al dente according to the package instructions and reserve a cup of the pasta water. To make the sauce, heat butter in a skillet over medium-high heat, add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Then, add the goat cheese and cream or milk and whisk until smooth. Reduce the heat to medium, add the cooked pasta and reserved pasta water, and stir well. If you prefer a thinner sauce, add more pasta water. Finish by seasoning with salt and pepper to taste, adding lemon juice and zest, and garnishing with parsley.

Tomato Goat Cheese Pasta

This recipe combines goat cheese with tomatoes for a creamy and tangy pasta dish. You will need crushed tomatoes, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, goat cheese, basil, onion, garlic, and olive oil. Sauté the onion in olive oil over medium heat until softened, then add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. Next, add the tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes, and simmer for around 10 minutes. Stir in the goat cheese and basil until smooth and creamy, then season with salt and pepper. Finally, toss the sauce with your cooked pasta and enjoy.

Goat Cheese with Vegetables

Goat cheese pairs well with vegetables such as asparagus, peas, broccoli, spinach, Brussels sprouts, and sun-dried tomatoes. You can also add protein like grilled or sautéed chicken, shrimp, or chickpea/lentil-based pasta. For a creamy sauce, blend goat cheese, lemon zest and juice, salt and pepper, and pasta cooking water. Cook the pasta al dente, then add the sauce and vegetables, stirring until everything is coated. You can also add herbs like basil, dill, or pine nuts for extra flavour.

Goat Cheese Pizza

For a delicious twist on pizza, try using goat cheese as a base or topping. You can make a goat cheese pizza with caramelized onions, or use a pre-made flatbread and add toppings of your choice. Goat cheese also goes well with other ingredients like arugula, chicken, and caramelized onions.

Remember, when using goat cheese in sauces, it's important to use high-quality cheese as its flavour shines through. You can find goat cheese labelled as soft 'chèvre' in most grocery stores, or explore specific cheese shops for a wider variety.

Goat cheese in a chicken breast

Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from breakfast to dessert. Its earthy, buttery, and tangy flavour pairs well with chicken breast, creating a juicy and flavourful dish. Here are some tips and recipes to present goat cheese in a chicken breast:

Balsamic Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breasts:

For this recipe, you will need chicken breasts, goat cheese, and balsamic vinegar, and optional ingredients like mushrooms and spinach. Start by cutting a slit or pocket in the side of each chicken breast, being careful not to cut through to the other side. Spread or stuff the goat cheese into the slit, along with any additional seasonings like thyme or pepperoncini. You can also drizzle balsamic vinegar over the goat cheese for extra flavour. Secure the slit with toothpicks and arrange the chicken in a baking dish. Bake in the oven at 350°F for 30-35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. For a more golden and crispy skin, you can pan-sear the chicken after baking.

Sun-Dried Tomato Goat Cheese Chicken:

This recipe combines the flavours of goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh herbs. Start by slicing the chicken breasts horizontally to create thin cutlets, which will reduce the cooking time and promote even browning. Season the chicken with salt, black pepper, and other seasonings like oregano, basil, or garlic powder. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the chicken until golden brown on both sides. Reduce the heat and add chicken stock, sun-dried tomatoes, lemon juice, sun-dried tomato oil, and minced garlic to the skillet. Simmer for a few minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Top each chicken cutlet with goat cheese, allowing it to soften and melt slightly. Serve with a spoonful of the sauce from the pan and garnish with fresh basil.

Goat Cheese and Vegetable Chicken Breasts:

Goat cheese pairs well with a variety of vegetables, and you can create a simple yet elegant dish by stuffing chicken breasts with goat cheese and your choice of vegetables. Some popular combinations include goat cheese, tarragon, chilli, and prosciutto, or goat cheese, bacon, and steamed vegetables. You can also wrap the stuffed chicken breasts in crispy prosciutto before baking. This dish offers a balance of flavours and textures, with the creamy goat cheese complementing the vegetables and chicken.

Grilled Goat Cheese Chicken:

For a summery twist, try grilling your goat cheese-stuffed chicken breasts. Prepare the chicken as mentioned in the previous recipes, and instead of baking or pan-searing, place the stuffed chicken breasts on a grill. Grill until the chicken is cooked through and the goat cheese is melted and slightly charred. Serve with a side of your choice, such as a fresh green salad or roasted vegetables.

Goat cheese-stuffed chicken breasts are versatile and can be adapted to your taste preferences. Feel free to experiment with different herbs, spices, and vegetables to create your own unique version of this dish. Enjoy the combination of juicy chicken and creamy goat cheese!

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Goat cheese on toast

To make goat cheese on toast, it is recommended to let the cheese sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before preparing the dish. This ensures that the cheese can be easily spread onto the bread, creating a thick and creamy layer. The type of bread used can vary depending on personal preference, but a denser bread like sourdough or a crusty baguette slice may hold up better to the weight of the toppings.

For a simple yet delicious option, try spreading softened goat cheese onto toasted bread and topping it with a drizzle of honey, a sprinkle of fresh thyme, and a pinch of sea salt and cracked pepper. This combination creates a balance of sweet and savoury flavours, with the honey complementing the tanginess of the cheese.

Another variation is to top the goat cheese with fried or toasted walnuts, which adds a crunchy texture and a rich flavour to the toast. A drizzle of walnut oil or honey can further enhance the flavour and moisture of the dish. For those who enjoy a heartier meal, the addition of a fried or poached egg on top of the goat cheese and walnut combination makes for a satisfying breakfast or brunch option.

For a more savoury take on goat cheese toast, consider adding ingredients like chopped olives, pickled peppers, or capers. Frying these ingredients in olive oil along with the walnuts creates a warm and flavourful dressing that can be drizzled over the toast. This savoury version pairs well with a glass of bubbly or dry wine to balance out the richness of the toppings.

Goat cheese in a vegetable tart

Ingredients:

• Flour
• Butter
• Salt
• Water
• Eggplant
• Red bell pepper
• Tomatoes
• Yellow squash
• Zucchini
• Shallot
• Olive oil
• Black pepper
• Parmesan cheese
• Goat cheese
• Basil
• Garlic

Method:

• Combine flour, butter, and salt in a food processor. Pulse until crumbly, or use a bowl and cut the flour mixture into the butter with a pastry blender.
• Add water and continue mixing until the dough clings together.
• Place the eggplant, red bell pepper, and tomatoes on a sheet pan. Use another sheet pan for the yellow squash, zucchini, and shallot.
• Drizzle olive oil and season with salt and black pepper. Toss to ensure even coating.
• Roast the vegetables: zucchini, squash, and shallot for 13-15 minutes; eggplant, bell pepper, and tomatoes for 20-25 minutes. Let them cool.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Cut the bell pepper into 1/2-inch cubes and halve the tomatoes.
• Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on the bottom of the tart pan.
• Layer the eggplant over the Parmesan.
• Sprinkle half the bell pepper, 1/3 of the goat cheese, 1/3 of the basil, and half the garlic.
• Add a layer of zucchini, yellow squash, and shallot.
• Sprinkle another 1/3 of goat cheese and basil, and the remaining garlic.
• Top with the remaining bell pepper, tomatoes, and the rest of the goat cheese and basil.
• Whisk cream or milk with eggs, add salt and pepper, and pour over the vegetable and cheese layers.
• Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the filling is set and the cheese is lightly browned.
• Let the tart stand for about 10 minutes, then cut and serve.

Variations:

This recipe can be adapted in numerous ways, including:

• Using ratatouille as the vegetable base.
• Adding pine nuts for a crunchy texture and nutty flavour.
• Using a spiral arrangement of thinly sliced vegetables, such as heirloom carrots, zucchini, and yellow summer squash.
• Adding lemon juice, thyme, and minced garlic to the goat cheese filling.
• Substituting puff pastry for the homemade dough, spreading pesto on the pastry, and topping with roasted vegetables and goat cheese.

Frequently asked questions