Patrick Oconnell
Marinated goat cheese is a versatile treat that can be used in a variety of dishes. The process of marination involves submerging the cheese in olive oil with herbs and spices, such as thyme, rosemary, and garlic, to infuse it with flavour. This results in a creamy, tangy, and spreadable cheese that can be used as an appetizer, in salads, or as a sandwich spread. It can be served with crackers, crostini, or warm crusty baguette slices. The cheese can also be crumbled over pizzas or grilled chicken breasts. The leftover oil from the marinade can be used for dipping bread or drizzling over chicken. Marinated goat cheese can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, making it a convenient and tasty addition to any meal or snack.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Cut the goat cheese into rounds or balls before marinating |
| Layer the cheese with olive oil, herbs, and spices | |
| Let it stand in the fridge for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours | |
| Uses | Spread on toasted bread or baguette slices |
| Use as a sandwich spread or in salads | |
| Crumble on pizza or toss with arugula to top the pizza | |
| Serve with crackers or crostini | |
| Use as a topping for grilled chicken | |
| Add to soups |
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What You'll Learn
How to cut marinated goat cheese neatly
Cutting marinated goat cheese neatly can be tricky, but with the right tools and techniques, you can achieve clean and precise slices. Here are some detailed instructions to guide you through the process:
Choosing the Right Tools:
The key to neatly cutting marinated goat cheese is to use the right cutting tool. While a traditional knife with a curved tip and a twin-forked end is commonly used for cutting cheese, it may not yield the neatest results with soft and creamy goat cheese. Instead, opt for unflavoured dental floss or a cheese wire. A cheese harp, fitted with a cheese-cutting wire, is another excellent option for making clean and thin slices.
Preparing the Cheese:
Before cutting, it is essential to ensure your marinated goat cheese is chilled. Place the cheese in the refrigerator for about an hour before slicing. The colder the cheese is, the easier it will be to cut neat slices. Some sources even suggest chilling it until it is almost frozen.
Cutting Techniques:
When using dental floss, wrap it around your fingers, hold it taut, and pull it downward through the cheese. This technique will give you smooth and neat slices. Alternatively, if you are using a cheese harp, follow a similar motion by pulling the wire downward to cut through the cheese. For round-shaped goat cheese, cut it like a cake, working from the centre outward to the rind, creating equally sized triangular wedges. If you have a long cheese log, cut it into round slices.
Plating and Serving:
After cutting your neatly sliced marinated goat cheese, don't forget to drizzle a generous amount of the infused oil over the cheese when plating. This will not only enhance the flavour but also add to the presentation. Allow the cheese to come to room temperature before serving, so the oil regains its original clarity and texture.
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Using marinated goat cheese in a salad
Marinated goat cheese can be a great addition to a salad, adding a touch of luxury and a creamy texture. Here are some tips and ideas for using marinated goat cheese in a salad:
Preparing the Goat Cheese
Before marinating, cut the goat cheese into slices or rounds. You can use a knife, but to get neat slices, it is recommended to use unflavoured dental floss or a cheese wire. If you want to shape the cheese, roll it into balls or simply slice it into rounds before marinating.
For the marinade, use a good quality extra-virgin olive oil with a flavour you enjoy. Submerge the cheese entirely in the oil, adding herbs and spices like thyme, rosemary, fennel seed, bay leaves, and lemon zest for a well-rounded infusion of flavour. You can also add some citrus peel and fresh herbs. Leave the cheese to marinate in the fridge for at least two hours, but it's even better after a day or two.
Salad Ingredients
Marinated goat cheese goes well with leafy greens such as arugula, baby spinach, or spring mix. You can also use bitter greens like endive. For added crunch and texture, include toasted walnuts or sliced almonds.
Fruit is an excellent addition to a salad with marinated goat cheese. Choose ripe and firm fruit with a sweet and tangy flavour, such as grapes, sliced pears, or berries. Dried fruit, such as cranberries, can also add a chewy and tart element.
Assembling the Salad
Let the goat cheese come to room temperature before adding it to the salad. This will make the cheese softer and more spreadable. Toss the greens with a small amount of dressing, then arrange the fruit, nuts, and cheese on top. Drizzle with olive oil and add any desired seasonings, such as salt and pepper.
Variations
You can bread and fry the goat cheese for a crispy texture. Coat the cheese slices in flour, egg, and seasoned panko breadcrumbs, then gently pan-fry in olive oil until golden brown. Alternatively, bake the coated cheese slices in the oven at 350°F for 7-9 minutes.
For a warm baked goat cheese salad, try slicing the goat cheese into rounds and baking them until golden brown. This adds a crispy element to the creamy cheese and pairs well with the cool salad greens.
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Using marinated goat cheese in a sandwich
Marinated goat cheese can be a delicious addition to a sandwich. Before using the cheese, it should be marinated in extra-virgin olive oil with flavorings like garlic, thyme, fennel seed, lemon peel, chilli flakes, peppercorns, and rosemary sprigs. The jar should then be sealed and refrigerated for at least a few hours, and ideally 1-2 days, to allow the flavours to mingle. The cheese will stay good in the refrigerator for up to a week.
When making a sandwich with marinated goat cheese, you can use any bread you like, but sourdough, ciabatta, and whole wheat are popular options. You can either spread the cheese on a warm baguette, or cut it into slices or crumbles and place it on the bread. If you want to add extra depth of flavour, you can mix the goat cheese with another cheese.
For a savoury sandwich, you could add roasted peppers, artichoke hearts, caramelised onions, arugula, avocado, sliced tomatoes, or basil pesto. If you're a meat lover, you could also add cooked chicken, turkey, or bacon. For a sweeter sandwich, you could add jam, honey, apple slices, or pear slices.
To cook the sandwich, you can either grill it or toast it in a toaster oven. To grill the sandwich, spread butter or olive oil on the outside of the bread and place the sandwich in a skillet on low-medium heat. Cook until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted, then flip the sandwich and repeat on the other side. To toast the sandwich, rub the bread with garlic and drizzle olive oil over the top slice before placing it in the toaster oven for 3-4 minutes.
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Using marinated goat cheese on pizza
Choosing the Right Goat Cheese
Select a soft log of goat cheese, which is ideal for spreading or adding dollops to your pizza. Avoid aged goat cheese or crumbles, as they may not melt or spread as easily. Look for a soft, bloomy rind with a slightly crumbly texture, allowing you to cut it into slices. You can also opt for goat milk brie, which works well as a substitute.
Classic Combinations
For a classic flavour profile, pair your marinated goat cheese with a tangy tomato sauce, creating a delightful contrast. You can make a simple homemade sauce or use store-bought options. Add shredded mozzarella cheese to hold the texture together, and feel free to sprinkle on some aged cheddar for an extra cheesy kick. Don't forget to add your favourite herbs, such as basil, to complement the tanginess of the sauce.
Caramelised Onions and Beyond
Caramelised onions are a match made in heaven with goat cheese. Their sweet and savoury flavours combine beautifully with the tangy cheese. Sauté the onions in butter or olive oil until soft and browned, then spread them onto your pizza base. You can also add other vegetables like bell peppers, spinach, zucchini, mushrooms, arugula, cherry tomatoes, and sliced garlic to create a colourful and nutritious pizza.
White Pizza Wonders
If you're feeling adventurous, try a white pizza by substituting the tomato sauce with ricotta or a Dijon-based sauce. Spread a mixture of soft goat cheese, chopped pecans, sage, honey, and Parmesan on your pizza base. You can also experiment with different cheeses like fontina and cream cheese. Bake until golden, and you'll have a creamy and indulgent treat.
Sweet and Savoury Delights
Explore the combination of sweet and savoury by adding a drizzle of honey to your pizza. The sweetness of honey balances the salty and savoury flavours of the goat cheese. You can also incorporate other sweet elements like jam or fig spread instead of a traditional tomato sauce. Top it off with some arugula, bacon, or prosciutto for a savoury finish.
The Perfect Crust
Don't forget about the crust! You can make your own pizza dough or opt for store-bought options. For a crispy base, pre-bake your crust for a few minutes before adding the toppings. Stretch the dough with your fingers to retain the gas bubbles, creating a light and airy texture. If you prefer a thinner crust, roll out the dough instead of stretching it, as this method is slightly healthier due to using less dough.
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Using leftover marinated goat cheese oil
Marinated goat cheese is a tasty treat, but what do you do with the leftover oil? Well, you can use it for cooking! The oil will have absorbed the flavours of the herbs and spices used to marinate the cheese, so it can be a great addition to a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas:
Drizzle over vegetables or fish
The oil can be drizzled over roasted vegetables or fish before cooking for a flavour boost. This is a great way to add a fancy touch to a simple dish.
Use in a salad dressing
The leftover oil can be the base of a delicious salad dressing. Simply whisk the oil with some vinegar or lemon juice, and add some mustard or honey to taste. You could also add some fresh herbs for extra flavour.
Saute vegetables
The oil can be used to saute vegetables, adding a unique flavour to your dish. Try using it to cook onions, garlic, and peppers for a tasty base for a sauce or stew.
Marinate more cheese
If you have some plain goat cheese, you can use the leftover oil to marinate it. Simply pour the oil over the cheese and let it sit for a few hours or overnight. This is a great way to intensify the flavour of the oil and create a tasty snack.
Toast
Take a slice of baguette and brush it with the leftover oil. You could also rub the bread with a clove of garlic for extra flavour. Toast the bread until golden on both sides and enjoy!
So, next time you have some leftover marinated goat cheese oil, don't throw it away – get creative and experiment with these ideas to elevate your cooking!
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to not use a knife when slicing goat's cheese as it will crumble and look messy. Instead, use unflavored dental floss or a cheese slicer to cut the cheese into neat slices.
You can marinate goat cheese in extra-virgin olive oil with flavorings like garlic, thyme, fennel seed, lemon peel, bay leaves, and peppercorns. You can also add herbs like rosemary, parsley, dill, mint, or basil.
It is recommended to let the goat cheese marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to blend. However, it gets even better after a day or two. Make sure to use the marinated goat cheese within a week.
Marinated goat cheese can be served as an appetizer with toasted pine nuts and slices of warm baguette or crunchy crackers. It can also be used in salads, soups, sandwiches, or crumbled on pizza.
