Randy Chandler
Goat cheese and crackers are a great appetizer for any occasion. They are easy to make, tasty, and simple to customize to your preferences. You can top crackers with goat cheese, honey, and fresh fruit and veggies, or try something more savory, like garlic and herbs. Goat cheese is also a great addition to a charcuterie board, served with cured meats and other snacks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese | Goat cheese, Boursin cheese |
| Type of Dish | Appetizer, Snack |
| Temperature | Cold, Room temperature |
| Toppings | Honey, Jam, Nuts, Fruits, Vegetables, Dressing, Herbs |
| Base | Crackers, Bread, Baguette slices, Rice crackers, TRISCUIT crackers, La Panzanella crackers, Breton crackers, Carr's crackers |
| Variants | Dip, Salad, Sandwich, Stuffed dates |
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What You'll Learn
Goat cheese and crackers with honey, fruit and nuts
Choosing the Right Crackers:
First, select your favourite crackers. You can opt for plain crackers like Ritz or Saltines, or choose something fancier like black fig and pepita crackers, or even Raincoast Crisps. These are the original crispbread crackers, crafted in small batches with quality care and nourishing ingredients. They are recognised for the nuts, seeds, and fruits that are visible through the cracker, making them a perfect addition to grazing boards. Some flavour recommendations include Cranberry and Hazelnut, Fig and Olive, and Rosemary Raisin Pecan.
Preparing the Goat Cheese:
You can serve the goat cheese in a few ways. One option is to spread creamy goat cheese onto crackers and top it with nuts, poached pears, or savoury prosciutto. Alternatively, you can serve the goat cheese in a log on a platter, scoring it down the middle and crosswise a few times. This allows the flavours of the toppings to be absorbed into the cheese.
Adding Honey, Fruit, and Nuts:
Now, for the fun part: adding the honey, fruit, and nuts! You can drizzle honey over the fruit and nuts before serving, or you can combine the honey with the goat cheese first and then spread this mixture onto the crackers. If you're feeling extra fancy, sprinkle some toasted pepitas on top. For the fruit, you can use fresh or dried fruit. Some recommended dried fruits include cranberries, golden raisins, and sunflower seeds. As for nuts, pistachios are a popular choice, but you can also use chopped walnuts or any other nuts of your preference.
Presentation and Serving Tips:
When serving this appetizer, you can arrange the crackers on a beautiful wooden cheese board or a platter. If you want to elevate the dish, use special serve ware, such as a French cheese board with coordinating cheese knives. This will make your gathering more festive and memorable. You can also serve the ingredients separately and let your guests make their own creations. Don't forget to serve the appetizer at room temperature, and if you're using unsalted nuts, a sprinkle of salt can enhance the flavours.
Enjoy creating this delicious and elegant appetizer, and feel free to get creative with your choices of crackers, fruits, and nuts!
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Goat cheese and crackers with jam
To make this dish, you will need crackers, goat cheese, jam, and toppings of your choice. You can use store-bought crackers or make your own at home by baking a mixture of goat cheese, butter, herbs, salt, and flour. If you choose to make your own crackers, ensure that the butter and goat cheese are soft so that they mix well. You can use a hand mixer to blend the ingredients thoroughly. Add the herbs and salt to this mixture before adding the flour to ensure they are fully incorporated.
For the toppings, you have a variety of options. You can spread goat cheese onto each cracker and top it with jam, such as cherry preserves, apricot or blackberry preserves, or fig jam. If you want to enhance the sweetness, you can also drizzle honey over the jam. To add a crunchy texture, sprinkle chopped pistachios, walnuts, or other nuts of your choice on top. You can also replace the goat cheese with cream cheese for a less tangy flavor.
When serving, you can place the goat cheese log on a serving plate or platter and score it down the middle and crosswise. Surround it with crackers and other delicious extras, such as fresh fruits and vegetables. You can also serve the goat cheese in a basket with baguette slices or both crackers and baguette slices for a variety of textures. This appetizer is sure to be a hit with your family and friends!
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Goat cheese and crackers with herbs
Homemade Goat Cheese Crackers with Herbs
You can make your own goat cheese crackers at home by combining goat cheese, butter, salt, herbs, and flour. The dough will be clumpy initially but will eventually come together. Add milk and mix until a cohesive ball forms. Shape the dough into a log, wrap it, and chill it in the refrigerator for about 2 hours. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 325°F and place the dough on a non-stick liner or parchment paper on a baking sheet. Before baking, remember to chill the cracker dough to ensure your crackers hold their shape. You can add herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano, or basil to the dough to give it a different flavor.
Whipped Herbed Goat Cheese with Homemade Crackers
Prepare a whipped herbed goat cheese by whipping the goat cheese with herbs of your choice. You can experiment with the consistency by adjusting the amount of cream, butter, or olive oil you add. For the crackers, sift flour into a bowl, add salt and pepper, and then grease your hands with olive oil. Roll the dough into thin, finger-shaped crackers. You can cut them into your desired shapes. This combination is perfect for dipping fresh vegetables or spreading on a sandwich.
Goat Cheese with Citrus and Herbs
Roll a log of goat cheese in a mixture of lemon zest, grapefruit zest, rosemary, thyme, chives, parsley, salt, and pepper. Cover the coated goat cheese in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about an hour. When ready, unwrap and place it on a platter. Drizzle with olive oil and white balsamic and serve with assorted crackers. This combination of fresh herbs and citrus will surely whet your guests' appetites.
Goat Cheese with Honey and Herbs
Prepare a dressing with extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, sea salt, and chopped herbs like parsley. Place a log of goat cheese on a platter and score it a few times. Pour the dressing over the goat cheese about 30 minutes before serving so it can soften and absorb the flavors. Serve with crackers or sliced baguette.
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Goat cheese and crackers with meat
Goat cheese and crackers are a great appetizer and can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas for serving goat cheese and crackers with meat:
Goat Cheese Log with Cured Meats and Crackers
Create a charcuterie board with a goat cheese log as the centerpiece, surrounded by cured meats such as prosciutto, salami, and even turkey. Provide a variety of crackers, preferably strong and flat, to hold up to the thick goat cheese. You can also offer fresh herbs like rosemary sprigs to add a festive touch. This appetizer is best served cold and can be safely left at room temperature for up to four hours.
Honey Goat Cheese with Meat and Crackers
Spread honey goat cheese onto crackers and top with your choice of meat. You can use cured meats such as salami or prosciutto, or try sliced meats like roast beef or turkey. Add some fresh fruit or vegetables on the side to balance the richness of the cheese.
Goat Cheese with Meat and Jam Crackers
For a sweet and savory combination, spread goat cheese onto crackers and top with a teaspoon of cherry or fig preserves. Then, add a layer of your favorite meat, such as salami or prosciutto. You can also sprinkle chopped nuts like pistachios or walnuts on top for added texture and flavor.
Goat Cheese, Meat, and Vegetable Crackers
Combine goat cheese with chopped vegetables of your choice, such as bell peppers, cucumbers, or tomatoes. Spread this mixture onto crackers and top with sliced meat, such as turkey or ham. You can also offer a variety of fresh herbs, such as basil or parsley, on the side for guests to add as they please.
Warm Goat Cheese with Meat and Crackers
For a warm appetizer, try baking goat cheese in the oven and serving it warm with crackers and meat on the side. You can also provide a variety of toppings, such as honey, jam, or chopped nuts, for guests to create their own combinations. This option may be best served in a more informal setting, as warm goat cheese can be messier to work with.
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Preparing the Goat Cheese
Goat cheese, or chevre, is a soft, crumbly cheese that pairs beautifully with crackers. To prepare the cheese, it is recommended to have it at room temperature to give it the best taste. You can also experiment with whipped herbed goat cheese by mixing soft goat cheese with butter, herbs, and salt using a hand mixer. The herbs can include rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil, or parsley, giving the cheese a rich and decadent flavor. For a richer mixture, add a bit of butter or olive oil. This herbed goat cheese can be served with crackers for dipping or spreading.
Preparing the Crackers
You can purchase crackers or make them at home. To make homemade crackers, sift flour into a large bowl, adding salt and pepper to taste. Grease your hands with olive oil and roll the dough into finger-shaped logs. If the dough is too dry, add a small amount of water. Roll out the dough thinly and cut it into your desired shapes. It is important to chill the dough before cutting and baking to ensure the crackers hold their shape. For a gluten-free option, substitute the flour with a mixture of finely ground rice, potato starch, and buckwheat.
Assembling the Appetizer
To assemble this simple appetizer, spread the goat cheese onto crackers. If using whipped herbed goat cheese, it can be used as a dip for the crackers. For added flavor, top the cheese with fresh vegetables such as sliced cucumbers. You can also add sweet toppings like honey, jam, or dried fruits. For a savory option, pair the crackers with cured meats or nuts. Get creative and customize the toppings to your preference!
Serving Suggestions
This appetizer is perfect for any occasion, whether casual or fancy, and can be served as a quick snack or part of a meal. It is a great option when entertaining guests, as it can be prepared ahead of time and assembled in minutes. Serve it on a platter or board, allowing guests to top the crackers themselves, or pre-assemble the crackers for a beautiful presentation. Enjoy this delicious treat with a glass of wine or beer for the perfect evening relaxation!
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Frequently asked questions
There are many ways to make a goat cheese and cracker appetizer. You can spread goat cheese on crackers and top with honey, jam, nuts, or fresh fruit and veggies. You can also make a goat cheese dip and serve it with crackers on the side.
Some good toppings for goat cheese and crackers include honey, jam, nuts, fresh fruit, and veggies. You can also top goat cheese with garlic dressing, herbs, or balsamic vinegar.
You can use a variety of crackers for goat cheese, such as rice crackers, TRISCUIT crackers, or La Panzanella crackers. Look for crackers that are strong and flat so they can hold the weight of the cheese.
Goat cheese can be left out at room temperature for up to four hours and is safe to eat during this time. To make it last longer, serve the goat cheese straight from the fridge.
