Bushra Griffith
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be baked, fried, or spread, making it an excellent choice for appetizers. Its tangy, earthy flavour and creamy texture pair well with a variety of ingredients, including nuts, honey, fresh fruits and vegetables, and crackers or bread. One popular option is to create a goat cheese crostini, a simple yet impressive appetizer that can be made in various ways, such as combining goat cheese with honey, thyme, and pecans, or topping it with roasted vegetables and herbs. Goat cheese can also be served as a dip or whipped spread, providing a quick and easy option for entertaining. Its ability to be served cold or at room temperature makes it convenient for hosting, and its versatility ensures it can be tailored to suit different tastes and dietary preferences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation time | 5-15 minutes |
| Serving temperature | Cold or warm |
| Serving size | 6 people (2 crostinis each) |
| Ingredients | Goat cheese, honey, thyme, pecans, sea salt, black pepper, olive oil, baguette, balsamic, fruits, vegetables, crackers, pistachios, fig jam, rosemary, red pepper, garlic |
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What You'll Learn
Goat cheese with honey and thyme on crostini
Goat cheese crostini is a simple and delicious appetizer that can be prepared in various ways. Here is a detailed guide on how to make goat cheese crostini with honey and thyme:
Ingredients:
- Baguette
- Goat cheese
- Honey (regular or hot)
- Fresh thyme
- Optional: Sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper, pecans or walnuts
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (190°C). Slice the baguette at an angle into pieces about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Place the slices on a baking sheet and lightly brush both sides with olive oil. Toast the baguette slices in the oven for approximately 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are lightly toasted.
While the bread is toasting, prepare the goat cheese mixture by mixing the goat cheese and honey in a small bowl until relatively smooth. It is okay if the mixture is a little crumbly.
Once the bread is toasted, spread the goat cheese mixture onto the baguette slices while they are still warm. Sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves, and add a pinch of sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper if desired. For some extra crunch, you can also top the crostini with chopped pecans or walnuts.
Finally, drizzle each crostini with honey just before serving. You can also add a layer of caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, or fresh fruits like figs, apples, or pears for a sweet and savory twist.
Tips:
- This appetizer is best served warm or at room temperature.
- The crostini can be prepared in advance and stored in an airtight container for up to two days without the toppings.
- The goat cheese mixture can also be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge.
- If you want to save time, chop and toast the nuts the day before and assemble the crostini just before serving.
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Goat cheese with garlic-herb dressing and crackers
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be baked, fried, or spread, making it an excellent choice for appetizers. Here is a detailed guide on how to serve goat cheese with garlic-herb dressing and crackers:
Ingredients:
- Goat cheese log
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Minced garlic
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Sea salt
- Fresh herbs (parsley), basil, thyme, or rosemary
- Crackers or baguette slices
Instructions:
- Prepare the garlic-herb dressing by whisking together extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, sea salt, and chopped fresh herbs (parsley).
- Place the goat cheese log on a serving platter and score it by making a few cuts lengthwise and crosswise. This will allow the dressing to seep into the cheese.
- Pour the garlic-herb dressing over the scored goat cheese log, ensuring it seeps into the cuts. You can also spread the dressing evenly over the log.
- Let the dressed goat cheese sit for about 30 minutes before serving. This allows the cheese to soften and absorb the flavors of the dressing.
- Serve the goat cheese with a cheese spreader or knife alongside a basket of crackers or sliced baguette.
Variations:
- You can also create a simple garlic herb goat cheese spread by combining goat cheese, olive oil, milk, grated garlic, salt, and fresh herbs in a mixer. Whip until light and fluffy. This spread can be served with crackers or crusty bread.
- For a sweeter option, prepare a goat cheese crostini by mixing goat cheese with honey and spreading it on toasted baguette slices. Top with chopped pecans, a drizzle of honey, and fresh thyme leaves.
- Goat cheese also pairs well with nuts, fresh or dried fruit. Try adding fig jam, pistachios, or slices of pear or apple to your crostini.
- If you want to switch up the herbs, you can use basil, thyme, or rosemary to add different flavors to your dressing.
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Goat cheese with pistachios, honey, and fig jam
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be baked, fried, or spread, making it an excellent choice for appetizers. Here is a detailed guide on how to serve goat cheese with pistachios, honey, and fig jam as an appetizer:
Ingredients:
- Goat cheese log: Choose a good quality goat cheese log from the deli section of your grocery store.
- Honey: Preferably use local honey for a better flavor.
- Fig jam or spread: You can find fig jam in the grocery store's jam/jelly section, while fig spread is usually in the specialty cheese section.
- Pistachios: Pre-roasted pistachios add a nice nutty flavor, but raw pistachios also work.
- Crackers or sliced baguette: Water crackers or rosemary crackers pair well with this appetizer. You can also serve it with sliced baguette or crostini (toasted baguette slices).
Method:
- Take the goat cheese log out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature. This will make it easier to coat and slice.
- Chop the pistachios and spread them out on a plate.
- Roll the goat cheese log in the pistachios to coat the top and sides.
- Place the coated cheese log on a serving platter.
- In a microwave-safe dish or a small saucepan, heat the fig jam/spread together with the honey until melted. You can also do this on the stovetop over low heat.
- Drizzle the warm honey-fig mixture over the goat cheese log.
- Sprinkle any remaining chopped pistachios on top of the cheese log.
- Serve immediately with crackers or sliced baguette/crostini.
Tips:
- You can make this appetizer ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Before serving, sprinkle the chopped nuts on top.
- Add a bit of spice to the honey-fig mixture with a pinch of red pepper flakes or fresh cracked black pepper.
- Fresh herbs like finely chopped chives, rosemary, basil, or thyme can add a pop of freshness to the appetizer.
- If you don't like pistachios, you can substitute them with roasted walnuts or pecans.
- This appetizer is great any time of the year, but especially delightful in the fall and during the holidays.
This goat cheese appetizer is easy to prepare and is sure to impress your guests with its combination of sweet and salty flavors and creamy and crunchy textures.
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Goat cheese with nuts, fruits, and veggies on a board
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be baked, fried, or spread, making it an excellent choice for appetizers. Here are some ideas for serving goat cheese with nuts, fruits, and veggies on a board:
Honey Goat Cheese with Nuts and Fruits
Create a beautiful and tasty appetizer by spreading honey goat cheese on crackers or baguette slices. Top with your choice of nuts such as pecans, pine nuts, or walnuts, and fresh or dried fruits like peaches, nectarines, figs, apples, or pears. Drizzle with additional honey and a pinch of sea salt to enhance the flavours. This appetizer can be served as individual bite-sized snacks or as a build-your-own board with separate ingredients.
Goat Cheese with Veggies
For a savoury option, prepare a goat cheese log topped with a simple garlic, herb, and olive oil dressing. Serve it with crackers or sliced baguette on the side. Alternatively, create a goat cheese crostini by spreading the cheese on toasted baguette slices and topping it with sautéed or roasted vegetables like red onions, mushrooms, or butternut squash. You can also add herbs such as basil or thyme for extra flavour.
Seasonal Fruit with Goat Cheese
This appetizer showcases seasonal fruits with goat cheese, honey, and nuts. Start by arranging slices of fruit, such as peaches, nectarines, or apples, on a platter. Divide the goat cheese among the fruit slices, drizzling with honey and olive oil. Finally, sprinkle with pine nuts or other nuts of your choice and a pinch of salt. This appetizer is a delicious way to celebrate the flavours of the season.
Goat Cheese with Nuts and Veggies
For a crunchy and savoury appetizer, spread goat cheese on crackers or bread and top with chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts. Add some sliced or grilled vegetables, such as zucchini or roasted red peppers, and a sprinkle of sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper. This combination of flavours and textures is sure to impress your guests.
Remember, goat cheese pairs well with a variety of ingredients, so feel free to experiment and customize these ideas to your taste preferences. Enjoy creating delicious and visually appealing appetizers with goat cheese, nuts, fruits, and veggies!
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Whipped goat cheese with honey, herbs, and black pepper
How to Serve Whipped Goat Cheese with Honey, Herbs, and Black Pepper as an Appetizer
Ingredients
- Goat cheese (chèvre)
- Honey
- Fresh herbs (such as thyme, rosemary, basil, oregano, parsley, or chives)
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Optional: Heavy cream, extra virgin olive oil, or a pinch of salt
Preparation
- Whipping the Goat Cheese: Start with room-temperature goat cheese (chèvre) to make whipping easier. You can use a small bowl and a spoon to whip the cheese by hand until it reaches a silky smooth consistency. Alternatively, you can use a stand mixer or a food processor to blend the cheese until smooth.
- Adding Honey and Herbs: Drizzle honey around the exterior of the bowl and spiral it in. Sprinkle your chosen herbs and freshly cracked black pepper on top. You can also add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors.
- Blending the Ingredients: Place all the ingredients in a high-powered blender or food processor and blend until completely smooth. If the consistency is too thick, you can add a small amount of olive oil or a little more cream to adjust it.
- Serving Options: Transfer the whipped goat cheese to a pretty dish and serve it with crostini, crackers, fruits, or veggies on the side. You can also use it as a spread on sandwiches, wraps, bagels, or toasts. For a charcuterie board, serve it with prosciutto, figs, and extra honey and pepper on the side.
Tips and Variations:
- Use good-quality goat cheese and fresh herbs for the best flavor.
- If you prefer a lighter and fluffier texture, you can substitute regular honey with whipped honey.
- For a hint of spice, try using hot honey instead of regular honey.
- You can also experiment with different herbs and seasonings, such as rosemary, thyme, chives, oregano, parsley, basil, or even everything bagel seasoning.
- If you want to make it ahead of time, prepare the cheese and honey mixture and store it in the fridge. Chop and toast the pecans beforehand as well. Assemble the crostini just before serving to maintain freshness.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many ways to make a goat cheese appetizer. You can make a goat cheese dip and serve it with crackers or bread, or you can make a goat cheese crostini by spreading the cheese on toasted bread. You can also bake a goat cheese pizza or make a goat cheese appetizer board with fruits and vegetables.
Goat cheese goes well with nuts, fresh or dried fruit, cured meats, and honey. You can also serve it with crackers or bread.
Goat cheese can be left out at room temperature for up to four hours and will last all afternoon at 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
You can make the goat cheese/honey mixture several hours in advance and store it in the fridge. You can also chop and toast the nuts and slice the baguette the day before.
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