Andy Montoya
Blueberry goat cheese is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. It is made with just three simple ingredients and can be prepared in about five minutes, making it an excellent option for a quick and easy appetizer or dessert. This dish pairs the sweet and juicy flavours of blueberries with the tanginess of goat cheese, creating a delightful combination that can be enjoyed in multiple ways. It can be served as a dip with crackers, spread on toast, crumbled over a salad, or even stuffed into crepes or grilled cheese sandwiches. When preparing this dish, it is recommended to use fresh blueberries for the best results, although frozen blueberries can also be used if necessary.
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What You'll Learn
Blueberry goat cheese log
Ingredients
- Goat cheese
- Blueberries
- Honey
- Lemon juice
- Lemon zest
- Salt
- Thyme
- Vanilla extract (optional)
- Maple syrup (optional)
- Balsamic vinegar (optional)
Method
- Make the blueberry compote by adding blueberries, honey, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt to a saucepan. Heat over medium heat and stir until the blueberries burst and the mixture thickens (about 5–7 minutes). You can also add vanilla extract, maple syrup, or balsamic vinegar to the compote for a unique flavor.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the mixture to cool completely.
- Place the goat cheese log on a piece of plastic wrap.
- Spoon about 1/3 to 1/2 of the blueberry mixture onto the plastic wrap in a log shape similar to that of the goat cheese.
- Place the goat cheese log on top of the blueberry mixture.
- Spoon the remaining blueberry sauce over the goat cheese log, allowing some to drip down the sides.
- Use the plastic wrap to roll the goat cheese log tightly so that it’s evenly coated with the blueberry mixture.
- Refrigerate the goat cheese log for at least 30 minutes to an hour, or overnight, to allow the flavors to blend.
- When ready to serve, unwrap the cheese log and place it on a serving platter. Garnish with fresh thyme or other herbs, if desired.
Serving Suggestions
The blueberry goat cheese log can be served as an appetizer or snack, paired with various options such as:
- Crackers: Water crackers, Melba toasts, Raincoast crisps, or Triscuits.
- Bread: Crostini, sliced sourdough, baguette, ciabatta, or focaccia.
- Vegetables: Carrots, bell peppers, celery, or cucumber.
- Salads: Crumble the goat cheese over a summer berry salad or watermelon beet salad.
- Grilled meats or ice cream: Spread the goat cheese on top for a savory touch.
- Breakfast items: Spread on waffles, pancakes, French toast, or bagels.
The blueberry goat cheese log can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen for up to 3 months. It is a versatile and impressive dish that is perfect for any occasion, from casual get-togethers to formal dinner parties.
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Blueberry goat cheese as an appetizer
Blueberry goat cheese is a versatile appetizer that can be served in a variety of ways. It is a simple yet impressive dish that is perfect for any occasion, from a holiday party to a movie night. The combination of sweet and tangy flavours is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
To make blueberry goat cheese, you will need just a few simple ingredients: blueberries, goat cheese, honey, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and thyme. You can also add in a teaspoon of vanilla extract if you want a sweeter flavour. The process is straightforward and involves creating a blueberry compote, mixing it with the goat cheese, and then shaping it into a log. It is best to make this dish in advance and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour or even overnight.
When serving blueberry goat cheese as an appetizer, there are several options to choose from. It can be used as a dip for crackers, chips, or mini pie crusts. Water crackers, Bagel chips, pita crackers, and wafer crackers are all great choices as they can withstand the weight of the cheese without breaking. For a sweeter option, you can serve it with cookies such as Meyer lemon thins or triple ginger thins. If you want to get creative, try using tostini, crostini, or even small pie crusts as a base for the cheese.
For a more elegant presentation, place the blueberry goat cheese log on a pretty platter or serving tray. Surround it with crackers, toast crisps, or crostini. Garnish the log with fresh herbs like thyme for a pop of colour and extra flavour. You can also drizzle the cheese with honey for an added touch of sweetness. Remember to let the cheese sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving to make it easier to slice or spread.
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Blueberry goat cheese with crackers
Ingredients:
- Goat cheese: Softened goat cheese at room temperature for easy mixing.
- Blueberries: Fresh or frozen blueberries can be used.
- Thyme: Fresh thyme leaves add a pop of green and a delicious flavour.
- Honey: For drizzling on top of the goat cheese and crackers.
- Salt: Flaky salt or regular salt adds a savoury note to the sweet and tangy dish.
- Optional: Lemon zest, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, and maple syrup for additional flavour.
Instructions:
- Make the blueberry jam: In a pot, combine blueberries, lemon zest and juice, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, thyme leaves, and salt. Heat over medium to medium-high heat, stirring frequently. After about 5 minutes, the blueberries will release their juices and the mixture will thicken and darken. Continue cooking for a total of 8-10 minutes, until it reaches a jam-like consistency. Remove from the heat and let it cool to room temperature or chill in the refrigerator.
- Mix the goat cheese: In a separate bowl, mix softened goat cheese with the cooled blueberry jam. You can adjust the ratio of cheese to jam according to your preference. Add in some thyme leaves and a pinch of salt to taste.
- Form the cheese mixture: Use an offset spatula to shape the mixture into a log or a cheese ball. You can also get creative and form it into other shapes.
- Serve with crackers: Place the blueberry goat cheese on a serving platter or tray. Surround it with your favourite crackers, such as water crackers, Melba toasts, Simple Mills crackers, Bagel chips, or Triscuits.
- Garnish and serve: Drizzle the goat cheese and crackers with honey. Sprinkle some additional thyme leaves and flaky salt on top for garnish. Enjoy the beautiful and delicious creation!
Tips:
- For a sweeter variation, you can replace the balsamic vinegar with vanilla extract, use orange instead of lemon, and double the amount of blueberry compote.
- If you prefer a smoother texture, you can use a hand mixer or food processor to blend the goat cheese and blueberry jam together.
- The blueberry goat cheese can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Allow the cheese to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving to make it easier to slice or spread.
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Blueberry goat cheese on toast
Ingredients:
- Goat cheese: Softened to room temperature for easy mixing and spreading.
- Blueberries: Fresh or frozen blueberries can be used, but fresh is recommended for the best flavor and texture.
- Honey: For drizzling or combining with blueberries for a sweet touch.
- Thyme: Fresh thyme leaves add a savory flavor and a beautiful green color.
- Additional ingredients: Depending on your preference, you can include lemon juice, lemon zest, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt to enhance the flavor.
Instructions:
- Prepare the Blueberry Mixture: In a saucepan, combine blueberries, lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, and any additional ingredients of your choice. Cook over medium heat for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the blueberries burst and form a thick sauce. Remove from heat and stir in diced thyme. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
- Mix the Goat Cheese: In a separate bowl, mix softened goat cheese with the back of a spoon until it becomes creamy and spreadable. You can also add a small amount of heavy cream and salt to create a whipped goat cheese for a lighter texture.
- Combine and Chill: Once the blueberry mixture has cooled, combine it with the goat cheese. You can adjust the ratio to your taste preferences. Mix until well combined, creating beautiful lavender-blue swirls. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to an hour to allow it to firm up slightly.
- Prepare the Toast: Choose a bread of your choice, such as sourdough, baguette, ciabatta, or focaccia. Slice the bread into desired thickness, keeping in mind that thinner slices tend to work better for toasts. Butter both sides of the bread and toast them in a skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown and crispy.
- Assemble the Toast: Spread the blueberry goat cheese mixture generously on the toasted bread. If desired, sprinkle some fresh thyme leaves and a drizzle of honey on top for added flavor and presentation.
- Serving Suggestions: Arrange the toasts on a serving platter or cheese board. For an extra touch, garnish with extra thyme or other fresh herbs. Serve the toasts alongside crackers, crostini, or fresh vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, celery, or cucumber.
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Blueberry goat cheese in salads
Blueberry goat cheese is a versatile treat that can be served in many ways, including as a dip, spread, or crumbled over a salad. Here are some ideas for how to use blueberry goat cheese in salads:
Blueberry Goat Cheese Salad with Blueberry Vinaigrette
As seen on Ways to My Heart, this salad features a blueberry vinaigrette dressing combined with greens, crumbled goat cheese, and slivered almonds. The recipe suggests toasting the almonds in a skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown and then combining all the vinaigrette ingredients in a food processor. For individual salads, arrange the salad fixings in bowls or plates, drizzle with the vinaigrette, and top with crumbled goat cheese. For a large salad, combine the fixings in a bowl, drizzle with vinaigrette, toss, and then top with cheese.
Blueberry Goat Cheese Salad with Candied Pecans
Sungrown Kitchen's salad features greens, goat cheese, blueberries, red onion slices, and candied pecans, all drizzled with a basil balsamic vinaigrette. To make the candied pecans, melt butter in a skillet over medium heat, add pecans, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt, and saute for about four minutes until coated and toasted. Arrange the salad on a platter, crumbling the goat cheese on top with a fork, and then drizzle with the dressing before serving.
Deliciously Sweet Salad with Maple, Nuts, Seeds, Blueberries, and Goat Cheese
This salad, found on Allrecipes, features greens, goat cheese, blueberries, and a variety of toppings, including nuts, seeds, and dried cranberries. The recipe suggests using dark green Romaine lettuce for a pretty presentation. The salad is topped with a dressing, although the type of dressing is not specified.
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Frequently asked questions
To make a blueberry goat cheese log, you will need goat cheese, blueberries, honey, and thyme. First, make a blueberry compote by heating the blueberries with honey, lemon juice, lemon zest, and thyme. Once thickened, chill the compote. Then, roll the goat cheese into a log shape and cover with the compote. Chill the log in the refrigerator for at least an hour or overnight. Serve with crackers, toast, or veggies.
To serve blueberry goat cheese as an appetizer, you can spread it on toasts or crackers, or use it as a dip for veggies. For an elegant presentation, serve it on a pretty platter or cheese board with a soft cheese knife for your guests to help themselves.
Blueberry goat cheese is a versatile dish that can be used in a variety of ways. You can use it as a spread for bagels, sandwiches, or grilled cheese. It can also be crumbled over salads, grilled meats, or even desserts like ice cream. For a sweet treat, try it with waffles, pancakes, or French toast.
