Bushra Griffith
Goat cheese logs are a versatile appetizer that can be served in a variety of ways. They can be made at home or bought from the store and are typically served chilled or at room temperature. When serving, it is recommended to let the cheese sit at room temperature for a while to soften before adding toppings or coatings. Goat cheese logs can be sliced and served with crackers, crostini, or bread, or they can be added to a cheese board with other cheeses and charcuterie items. They can also be fried, baked, or used as a spread for bread or bagels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Combine goat cheese with other ingredients like herbs, lemon zest, honey, and pecans. |
| Roll the mixture into a log shape, wrap it, and chill it in the fridge or freezer. | |
| Serving suggestions | Crackers |
| Crostini | |
| Toasted baguette slices | |
| Bread | |
| Salads | |
| Fruit | |
| Nuts | |
| Meat | |
| Charcuterie or cheese boards | |
| Drizzle with honey, olive oil, or a sweet sauce | |
| Bread and fry the cheese | |
| Pair with wine | |
| Storage | Can be made a few days in advance and stored in the fridge. |
| Can be frozen for up to 3 months. |
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What You'll Learn
Serving goat cheese logs as an appetiser
Goat cheese logs are a great appetiser option, especially for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, as long as gluten-free accompaniments are served. They can be served as part of a cheese board or on their own.
If you are making your own goat cheese log, you can control the size depending on the number of guests you want to serve. A store-bought log tends to be about 4 ounces in size, which is about 3 to 4 inches long. The general rule of thumb for appetisers is to serve 1 to 2 ounces of cheese per person. If you are serving other cheeses and appetisers, one goat cheese log should be enough for 2 to 4 people. You can prepare the goat cheese log a few days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Before serving, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes so that it is easier to slice.
For a simple appetiser, serve the goat cheese log with crackers, crostini, or toasted baguette slices. You can also slice the log and serve it on a bed of marinara with a drizzle of olive oil, scooping it up with bread. If you have access to a deep fryer, cut the cheese into 1/3-inch medallions, bread and fry them, then top with a blueberry reduction and serve with chips.
If you want to get creative, you can coat the goat cheese log in various toppings. First, let the goat cheese sit out for 30-40 minutes to soften, or 10-20 seconds in the microwave. Then, spread out your desired toppings on a piece of plastic wrap, parchment, or wax paper. Unwrap the goat cheese log and roll it in the toppings, pressing gently to coat. Some topping options include chopped pecans, cranberries, herbs, honey, and dried fruit.
You can also make a blueberry goat cheese log by creating a blueberry compote and spreading it over the goat cheese log. This can be made by adding blueberries, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and honey to a saucepan and cooking over medium heat for 5 to 6 minutes, until the blueberries burst and form a thick sauce. Once cooled, spread the compote onto plastic wrap, place the goat cheese log on top, and wrap tightly, spreading the blueberries evenly. This can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen for up to 3 months.
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How to make a goat cheese log
A goat cheese log is a versatile appetizer that can be served in many ways. It can be sliced and served with crackers, crostini, or bread, or used as a spread on a bagel or sandwich. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a delicious goat cheese log:
Ingredients:
- Goat cheese
- Toppings of your choice (such as nuts, dried fruits, herbs, or honey)
- Plastic wrap or wax/parchment paper
- Optional additional ingredients (such as cream cheese, garlic, lemon zest, or olive oil)
Step 1: Prepare the Goat Cheese Mixture
In a bowl, mix the goat cheese with any additional ingredients you may be using, such as cream cheese, garlic, or lemon zest. Mix until you have a consistent and well-combined cheese mixture. You can also add in some of your chosen toppings, such as chopped nuts or herbs, for extra flavour.
Step 2: Shape the Cheese Log
Place a sheet of plastic wrap or wax/parchment paper on your work surface. Transfer the cheese mixture to the centre of the wrap and shape it into a log form. Bring the plastic wrap up and around the cheese, moulding and twisting the ends to seal it in a log shape.
Step 3: Chill the Cheese Log
Place the wrapped cheese log in the refrigerator and chill it for about 20-45 minutes. This will allow the cheese to harden and make it easier to handle.
Step 4: Prepare the Toppings
While the cheese log is chilling, prepare your chosen toppings. If you're using nuts, chop them finely and spread them out on a piece of plastic wrap, parchment, or wax paper. You can also add dried fruits, herbs, or a drizzle of honey to your toppings.
Step 5: Coat the Cheese Log
Remove the chilled cheese log from the refrigerator and unwrap it. Place the cheese log on the prepared toppings and roll it until it is well coated. Gently press the toppings onto the surface of the cheese log to ensure an even coating, and shape it as desired.
Step 6: Serve or Store
Your goat cheese log is now ready to be served! Place it on a serving platter with crackers, crostini, or bread. If you're not serving it immediately, wrap the cheese log in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Feel free to experiment with different toppings and coatings to create a variety of flavours for your goat cheese log. Enjoy!
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Adding toppings to goat cheese logs
Preparing the Goat Cheese Log:
Before adding toppings, it is important to prepare the goat cheese log. Start by placing a sheet of parchment or wax paper on your work surface. You can then spread out your chosen toppings in an even layer across the paper. If you are using sticky toppings like honey or olive oil, remember to drizzle them onto a plate or cutting board first, and then roll the goat cheese log in them. Next, unwrap your chilled goat cheese log and let it sit for around 30 minutes to soften, or place it in the microwave for 10-20 seconds if you're in a hurry. Now it's time to roll the log in your chosen toppings!
Topping Ideas:
The possibilities for toppings are endless, but here are some ideas to get you started:
- Nuts: Toasted walnuts, pecans, pistachios, or a mixture of chopped nuts can add a crunchy texture and nutty flavour to your goat cheese log.
- Fruits: Dried cranberries, strawberries, or other dried fruits can provide a sweet contrast to the savoury cheese.
- Herbs: Fresh herbs like basil, parsley, rosemary, or thyme can add a burst of flavour and colour to your log.
- Sweet toppings: Honey is a classic pairing with goat cheese, adding sweetness and stickiness. You can also use other sweet toppings like chocolate or jam.
- Savory toppings: For a more savoury log, try using olive oil, cracked pepper, sea salt, or chives.
Plating and Serving:
Once your goat cheese log is coated in toppings, you can shape it as desired and place it on a serving platter. It's a good idea to let the log come to room temperature before serving so that it's creamy and spreadable. Serve it with crackers, crostini, or baguette slices for your guests to enjoy.
Get creative and experiment with different combinations of toppings to find your favourite flavour profiles. Enjoy the process of making and serving these delicious goat cheese logs!
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Serving goat cheese logs with crackers
To serve goat cheese with crackers, you can either provide the crackers on the side, allowing your guests to spread the cheese onto the crackers themselves, or you can pre-cut the goat cheese log into thin slices and sprinkle on toppings, creating individual, ready-to-eat crackers. If you choose the former option, it is recommended to use a strong, flat cracker that will hold up to the spreading of thick goat cheese. Examples of crackers that meet these criteria include Black Truffle crackers, La Panzanella crackers, Breton crackers, and Carrs water crackers. You can also provide alternatives to crackers, such as slices of toasted baguette or bread, or even meats like prosciutto, salami, or turkey, for your low-carb guests.
If you opt for the latter option and choose to pre-cut the goat cheese, you can use dental floss or a cheese slicer to slice the log into thin pieces. You can then either sprinkle on chopped nuts or roll the log in nuts, honey, or other sweet or savoury toppings. Some topping options include honey and pistachios, fig jam, lemon zest and cracked pepper, strawberry rosemary sea salt, and toasted walnuts. You can also coat the goat cheese log in olive oil or honey before rolling it in the toppings, which will enhance the flavour and help the toppings stick to the cheese.
To prepare your goat cheese log and crackers for serving, it is recommended to remove the cheese log from the refrigerator 15 minutes beforehand so it can soften. You can then drizzle the log with olive oil just before serving for added flavour and texture. Place the goat cheese log on a tray or charcuterie board, surrounding it with crackers and adding a knife so your guests can serve themselves. For a festive touch, you can add fresh herbs like rosemary sprigs to dress up the tray.
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Making a goat cheese log for a cheese board
Goat cheese logs are a great addition to a cheese board, and they are easy to make. You can make a few different flavours to add variety to your cheese board.
Ingredients
- Fresh goat cheese
- Toppings of your choice (e.g. honey, nuts, dried fruit, herbs, garlic, lemon zest, pepper, sea salt)
Method
- Combine your chosen toppings in a bowl.
- Place a sheet of parchment or wax paper on your work surface.
- Spread your chosen toppings across the paper.
- Place the goat cheese on the toppings and roll it back and forth to coat the surface.
- Use your hands or a spoon to sprinkle any leftover toppings onto the cheese log.
- Shape the cheese log as desired.
- Chill the cheese log in the fridge for 30-45 minutes to allow it to harden.
- Remove the cheese log from the fridge 15 minutes before serving to allow it to soften.
- Drizzle the cheese log with honey or olive oil before serving, if desired.
- Serve the cheese log with crackers, crostini, or toasted baguette slices.
Tips
- You can make the goat cheese log a few days in advance and store it in the fridge.
- If you want a crunchier coating, add the toppings just before serving.
- If you are serving the goat cheese log as part of a cheese board, the general rule of thumb is to serve 1-2 ounces of cheese per person.
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Frequently asked questions
You can serve a goat cheese log with crackers, crostini, or toasted baguette slices. If you want to get creative, you can coat the goat cheese log in toppings such as nuts, dried fruit, herbs, or honey.
The general rule of thumb for appetizers is to serve 1 to 2 ounces of cheese per person. If you’re planning on serving other foods, one goat cheese log should be good for 2 to 4 people.
You can store a goat cheese log in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, wrap the goat cheese log tightly in multiple layers of plastic wrap and aluminum foil and place it in a freezer bag. It will last for up to 3 months in the freezer.
