Andy Montoya
Goat cheese, or chèvre in French, is a versatile ingredient with a rich, tangy flavor and creamy texture. It is a popular choice for salads, pastas, pizzas, and even desserts. While some people enjoy its distinctive taste, others may find it too tart or strong. To combat this, one can experiment with different types of goat cheese, as not all have an equally intense flavor. Additionally, pairing it with certain ingredients like herbs, honey, fruits, or other cheeses can help balance its tartness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Herbs | Chives, thyme, rosemary, dill, tarragon, za'atar, basil, lavender |
| Other Ingredients | Honey, orange zest, cracked red pepper, dark chocolate-covered pretzels, pinot noir, mustard, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, marinated fruit, tapenade, tomatoes, mint, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, lemon, garlic, spinach, basil, beans, Parmesan, milk, pasta, rice, vinegar, beet, carrots, beet greens, cinnamon, sugar, nuts, cayenne, yogurt, asparagus, peas, bacon, arugula, pear, pumpkin seeds, apple, green beans, pimentón, feta, sumac, coriander |
| Type of Dish | Salad, spread, toast, pasta, pizza, fritters, ratatouille, risotto, soup, cheesecake, eggs, pudding, dessert, appetizer |
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What You'll Learn
Adding honey
Honey is a great way to balance the tartness of goat cheese. It can be drizzled over the cheese, or used in a mixture with Greek yoghurt, where it cools to a caramel-like consistency.
Goat cheese has a rich, tangy flavour, and is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many recipes. It is a great addition to salads, pasta, and pizza, and can be used as a spread or dip. Making your own goat cheese is simple, and allows you to control the texture, tartness, and dryness of the cheese. You can also add your own flavours, such as herbs, spices, and nuts.
When making your own goat cheese, you can add honey to the mixture, or drizzle it over the cheese before serving. Honey has a natural sweetness that will balance the tartness of the cheese. It can be drizzled over a log or disk of goat cheese, and served with crackers or bread. The sweetness of the honey will also prevent the cheese from becoming too spicy if you are adding other flavours, such as cracked red pepper.
Honey can also be used in a mixture with Greek yoghurt and goat cheese. When warm, the honey will drizzle over the mixture and cool to a caramel-like consistency. This can be served as an appetizer or dessert. The sweetness of the honey will balance the tartness of the goat cheese, and the combination of sweet and tangy flavours will create a delicious dish.
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Using herbs
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be enhanced with various herbs to balance its tartness. One way to do this is to make a garlicky herb goat cheese spread by mixing the cheese with herbs such as dill, flat-leaf parsley, chives, basil, rosemary, or thyme, along with garlic, red pepper flakes, lemon juice, zest, olive oil, salt, and pepper. This spread can be served on grilled sourdough bread or crackers, and it pairs well with eggs, roasted vegetables, or pasta.
Another option is to marinate the goat cheese in olive oil and herbs. This can be done by placing the cheese in a shallow serving dish, covering it with olive oil, and sprinkling on herbs such as thyme, chives, basil, rosemary, or tarragon. You can also add spices like garlic, lemon zest, or scallions, or chopped nuts for extra crunch. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and let it rest for at least 30 minutes before serving. This marinated goat cheese is an easy and delicious appetizer, perfect for crackers or toasted baguette slices.
When choosing herbs to pair with goat cheese, consider the other ingredients in your dish and experiment with different combinations to find your favorite flavors. The versatility of goat cheese means it can be used in a variety of dishes, from appetizers and salads to sandwiches and pizzas. For example, you can use the herbed goat cheese in a salad by serving thick slices on a bed of greens with roasted beets, or crumbling it on pizza after baking. You can also spread it on toasted bread or use it as a topping for grilled chicken.
The sharpness and creaminess of goat cheese make it a great ingredient to play with and experiment. So, feel free to get creative and find the herb combinations that suit your unique palate.
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Pairing with chocolate
Chocolate and goat cheese may seem like an unusual combination, but the distinct and slightly sweet flavour of goat cheese marries perfectly with dark chocolate. There are many ways to pair these two ingredients to create a delicious treat.
One option is to create chocolate-covered goat cheese. This can be done by rolling softened goat cheese into balls, drying them, and then dipping them in melted dark chocolate. For an added treat, you can place a Peruvian pepper, pistachio, pecan half, or fresh raspberry in the centre of the goat cheese before coating it in chocolate. These treats can be refrigerated for up to three hours to allow the flavours to meld together.
Another option is to create chocolate goat cheese truffles. This involves blending chilled goat cheese with cocoa powder and sugar to form a stiff ball, then rolling small spoonfuls of the mixture into balls. These truffles can be coated in a variety of toppings, such as powdered cocoa, sugar, finely chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or raw or coloured sugar crystals.
If you're feeling extra indulgent, you can try making chocolate goat cheese brownies. This is done by preparing a brownie batter and combining it with a mixture of goat cheese and honey. The two batters are then swirled together and baked, creating a delicious combination of chocolate and goat cheese flavours.
For a simpler option, you can enjoy a slice of plain or honey-flavoured goat cheese with dark chocolate-covered pretzels on the side. This combination is surprisingly delightful and is often served with a glass of light pinot noir or petit syrah.
Finally, if you're feeling adventurous, you can try making chocolate raspberry goat cheese cheesecakes. These personal-sized, gluten-free cheesecakes feature a crust made with almond flour, sugar, butter, and a pinch of salt, filled with a mixture of raspberry chocolate goat cheese, sugar, yogurt, vanilla, and fresh raspberries. They are a perfect blend of sweet and tangy flavours and are sure to impress your guests.
So, the next time you're looking for a unique dessert or treat, why not experiment with pairing chocolate and goat cheese? With their complementary flavours and textures, they are sure to create a delicious and indulgent experience.
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Adding orange zest
One way to do this is to make a marinated goat cheese with garlic, basil and orange zest. Cut the goat cheese into 1/2-inch thick slices and arrange them in a single layer in a pie plate or baking dish. In a saucepan, heat olive oil, peppercorns, and allspice berries over medium-high heat until the peppercorns begin to pop, then remove from the heat and stir in a mixture of garlic, ginger, basil, and orange zest. After stirring for 5 seconds, pour the hot mixture over the goat cheese and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.
Another option is to make a goat cheese panna cotta with orange zest. This dessert is easy to make and full of flavour and texture. To make the panna cotta, heat a mixture of cream, sugar, and salt over medium heat. In a separate bowl, combine buttermilk and gelatin, allowing the gelatin to bloom for 5-10 minutes. Once the cream mixture is simmering, whisk in the buttermilk and gelatin mixture, followed by orange zest and softened goat cheese.
If you're making your own fresh goat cheese, you can also add orange zest directly to the cheese. Simply pat the orange zest lightly onto the surface of the cheese, along with rosemary, and let it sit for several hours or overnight so that the flavours absorb into the cheese. This combination is a surprising and delicious favourite from cheesemaking classes.
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Using less mature goat cheese
Goat cheese, or chèvre in French, is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to desserts. When it comes to combating the tartness of goat cheese, using a less mature variety can be a great option. Fresh goat cheese, also known as "young" goat cheese, has a chalky whiteness inside and has not yet developed a rind. It is often sold in tubes in supermarkets and can be used to add a tangy flavour to dishes without being overwhelmingly tart.
One way to use fresh goat cheese is in salads. Instead of crumbling the cheese, which can be difficult, use a sharp knife or your fingers to break and pull it into pieces that resemble crumbles. You can also use fresh goat cheese as a spread by whipping it with a little cream and topping it with complementary ingredients like tomatoes, fresh herbs, tapenade, or sliced balsamic-marinated fruit.
Another option for using less mature goat cheese is to make your own at home. Homemade goat cheese is simple to make and allows you to control the texture, tartness, and dryness to your liking. You can flavour your homemade goat cheese with herbs such as chives, thyme, or rosemary, or cover it with fresh herbs like chives or dill once it has set. Adding dried herbs and spice blends like tarragon, za'atar, or basil is also an option.
When making dishes with less mature goat cheese, consider recipes that call for crumbled fresh goat cheese, such as salads or spreads. You can also try making a goat cheese mousse, which is an easy and decadent appetizer that can be served as a topping for crostini or a dip for crudites. By using less mature goat cheese and experimenting with different herbs, spices, and complementary ingredients, you can create delicious dishes that showcase the versatility of goat cheese while combating its tartness.
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