Patrick Oconnell
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can add a creamy texture and tangy flavour to a variety of salads. When using goat cheese in a salad, there are several ways to prepare and present it to elevate the dish. For example, crumbling or slicing the cheese, coating it with nuts, or frying it as medallions. In terms of ingredients, goat cheese pairs well with leafy greens such as arugula, fruits like cranberries, grapes, and strawberries, as well as nuts and seeds. Additionally, preparing the salad dressing directly in the serving bowl allows for better seasoning and ensures the lettuce stays crisp until serving.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Salad ingredients | Arugula, Lebanese cucumbers, grapes, cranberries, walnuts, poppy seeds, strawberries, blueberries, almonds, pecans, hazelnuts, spring mix, roasted beets, orange segments, beet chips, shrimp, chicken, salmon, beans, croutons, bacon, pancetta, prosciutto, onion, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, mustard, garlic |
| Goat cheese type | Crumbled, medallions, slices, coated in nuts, whole logs |
| Salad type | Side or main dish |
| Preparation | Wash and slice ingredients, whisk dressing, season with salt and pepper, toast walnuts, sauté shrimp, assemble salad, toss before serving |
| Storage | Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week |
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What You'll Learn
Using different types of goat cheese
Goat cheese, also known as chèvre, is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of salads. While fresh goat cheese tends to be tangy, creamy, and crumbly, aged goat cheeses tend to be more mellow and buttery. Here are some ways to use different types of goat cheese in your salads:
Fresh Chèvre
Chèvre is a classic choice for goat cheese salads. Look for a fresh goat cheese that is moist, creamy, and crumbly, with a tangy and lemony flavour. Crumble or slice the cheese and add it to your salad. You can also break it into uneven chunks to add texture and visual appeal. Fresh chèvre pairs well with a variety of ingredients, including beets, greens, cranberries, walnuts, and grilled fish.
Aged Goat Cheese
Aged goat cheeses, such as those from the Rhône-Alpes and Poitou-Charentes regions of France, tend to be more mellow and buttery. They can add a subtle flavour to your salad, with hints of nut skins and cooked milk. Look for aged, rinded varieties for a more subtle flavour compared to younger, more intense styles. Aged goat cheeses can be crumbled or sliced and added to your salad, or used as a spreadable topping for crostini or toast.
Goat Brie
Goat brie is a rich and buttery cheese made with goat's milk. It has a thin rind and a creamy texture, with a sweet and delicate flavour that still retains a hint of citrus tang. Goat brie can be used in salads, adding a creamy and mellow touch. Try pairing it with ingredients like arugula, cucumbers, grapes, and cranberries for a blend of tangy and sweet flavours.
Bonne Bouche
Bonne Bouche is a goat cheese with a unique flavour and texture. It has a rind made with yeast, giving it a sweet and mellow flavour. The cheese tends to be oozing and spreadable, with a hint of lemony tang. Bonne Bouche can add a creamy and tangy element to your salad. It pairs well with ingredients like arugula, cucumbers, almonds, grapes, and dried cranberries.
Añejo Cheese
Añejo is a firm, aged Mexican cheese traditionally made from goat's milk, although it is often available made with cow's milk. This cheese can add a salty and savoury element to your salad. Try crumbling it over a bed of greens, beans, or roasted vegetables.
Remember, when using goat cheese in a salad, it is best to let the cheese come to room temperature before serving. This enhances its creamy texture and flavour.
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Pairing with other cheeses
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that pairs well with a variety of other cheeses, adding depth and flavour to your salad. Here are some ideas for cheeses that you can combine with goat cheese:
Feta Cheese
Feta is a Greek cheese made from sheep's milk or a mixture of sheep and goat's milk. It has a tangy, salty flavour and a crumbly texture. When paired with goat cheese, feta adds a sharp contrast to the creaminess of the goat cheese. This combination works well in a Mediterranean-style salad with ingredients like olives, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
Blue Cheese
Blue cheese, known for its strong flavour and pungent aroma, is another cheese that pairs well with goat cheese. Its sharp and salty taste complements the mildness of goat cheese. Try crumbling both cheeses over a bed of arugula, adding some dried cranberries and sliced almonds, and drizzling a balsamic vinaigrette on top.
Cream Cheese
For a more indulgent option, consider blending cream cheese with goat cheese. Mixing cream cheese with goat cheese in a 1:4 ratio creates a creamy and spreadable mixture that can be piped onto salads or used as a dip for crudités. This combination adds a rich and decadent element to your salad.
Brie or Camembert
Brie and Camembert are soft, creamy cheeses with a mild, buttery flavour. When paired with goat cheese, they create a harmonious blend of textures. Try spreading a layer of goat cheese on a slice of baguette or French loaf, topping it with a slice of Brie or Camembert, and finishing it with a drizzle of honey and some chopped nuts.
Mozzarella
Mozzarella is a mild, fresh cheese with a delicate flavour and a stretchy texture. Combining mozzarella with goat cheese creates a beautiful contrast in both taste and appearance. Try tearing mozzarella into bite-sized pieces and scattering them over a bed of arugula, along with the goat cheese, sliced tomatoes, and fresh basil. Drizzle with a balsamic reduction for a delicious caprese-inspired salad.
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Adding fruit
When adding fruit to a goat cheese salad, it's important to choose ripe and firm fruit. Avoid unripe, hard fruit as it will taste sour or bitter, and steer clear of overripe fruit as it will perish easily and turn mushy in your salad.
A popular fruit to pair with goat cheese is pear. Specifically, a ripe Anjou pear is recommended. To prepare the pear, thinly slice it and place it on a bed of arugula or baby spinach, along with toasted walnuts and fried goat cheese rounds. You can also add strawberries, blackberries, or a mix of your favorite berries. Apples are another great option, especially honeycrisp apple slices, which go well with walnuts and a rice wine vinaigrette.
If you're looking for a tangy and sweet combination, try a salad with arugula, Lebanese cucumbers, purple onions, grapes, and cranberries. You can use dried cranberries or coat the goat cheese with cranberries. The addition of sliced almonds also provides a delightful textural element to the salad. For the dressing, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, jam, salt, pepper, and poppy seeds. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently before serving.
For a simple fruit option, you can also add dried sweetened cranberries to your goat cheese salad. Soak the cranberries in hot water beforehand to soften them. This will add a sweet and tart punch to the creamy goat cheese.
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Adding nuts and seeds
Nuts and seeds are a fantastic way to add texture and depth of flavour to a goat cheese salad.
Toasting nuts in a dry skillet over medium-high heat brings out their nutty flavour and ensures they sing alongside the other ingredients. Walnuts, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, and almonds are all great options to add to a goat cheese salad. To toast walnuts, place them in a single layer in a skillet and toast for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until they smell nutty. Transfer them to a bowl or plate immediately to stop them from cooking further.
Sunflower seeds are another option and can be used as a non-nut substitute. Toasting sunflower seeds and pine nuts can be done in the oven on a tray, or in a frying pan.
Nuts and seeds can be added to a goat cheese salad in a variety of ways. They can be sprinkled on top of the salad, added to the dressing, or used as a coating for fried or baked goat cheese medallions. To make fried goat cheese medallions, coat goat cheese slices in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, then fry in olive oil until golden. Alternatively, bake the coated goat cheese slices in the oven for a healthier option.
Goat cheese, nuts, and seeds can also be tossed together with the other salad ingredients. Romaine lettuce, arugula, spinach, or spring mix can be used as a base, with sliced pears, apples, or berries added for sweetness. Dried cranberries, grapes, and cucumber add a tangy freshness, while balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and honey create a sweet and tangy dressing.
So, whether you're frying, baking, or tossing them into your salad, nuts and seeds are a fantastic addition to a goat cheese salad, bringing texture and flavour to every bite.
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Making a vinaigrette
Goat cheese can be used in a variety of salads, including as a dressing or as crumbled chunks on top. A popular salad combination includes arugula, Lebanese cucumbers, grapes, cranberries, and goat cheese, drizzled with a tangy lemon vinaigrette.
A vinaigrette is a simple salad dressing made with oil and vinegar. To make a vinaigrette for a goat cheese salad, you can follow these steps:
Firstly, gather your ingredients. You will need oil (such as olive oil), vinegar (such as balsamic vinegar), salt, pepper, and goat cheese. You may also want to add other ingredients such as lemon juice, mustard, or honey to taste.
Next, you will need to whisk the ingredients together. Start by gradually whisking in the oil, adding a few drops at first and then pouring the rest in a steady stream to create a smooth and slightly thick consistency. You can then whisk in some freshly ground black pepper and stir in the goat cheese until smooth. The dressing should be a thick, creamy, espresso color.
Once you have made your vinaigrette, you can store it in the fridge for up to four days. When you are ready to eat, let the goat cheese come to room temperature for 20-30 minutes, before drizzling the dressing over your salad and tossing gently to combine.
Some people like to make the dressing directly in the bowl, adding the salad on top, and tossing the salad just before serving. This ensures the salad stays crunchy and fresh.
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Frequently asked questions
Goat cheese comes in crumbles or whole logs, with different flavours. Logs are creamier, but crumbles are easier to sprinkle on top of a salad. Flavoured herb goat cheeses can boost the salad, and you can also swap in blue cheese or feta.
Arugula, spinach, or mixed greens are popular bases for goat cheese salads. You can also add berries, nuts, seeds, and vegetables such as beets, cucumbers, and onions.
Honey, mustard, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and lemon juice are all popular ingredients in dressings for goat cheese salads.
Store leftover goat cheese salad in an airtight container in the fridge to prevent the ingredients from wilting quickly. You can enjoy the salad for up to a week.
