Goat Cheese Connoisseur: Best Bread Pairings

Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a wide range of culinary creations, from salads to pizzas to cocktails. When it comes to bread, there are several types that pair well with goat cheese, depending on the desired flavour profile and texture. Crusty breads such as sourdough or baguette offer a hearty base for goat cheese, while softer options like quick bread or focaccia provide a more delicate contrast. Toasted nuts, herbs, and honey are popular accompaniments that enhance the flavour of goat cheese on bread. Additionally, goat cheese can be incorporated into the bread itself, creating a savoury treat that takes regular garlic bread to a whole new level.

Goat Cheese and Garlic Bread

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf Italian bread or baguette
• Unsalted butter, softened
• Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• Garlic paste or 3-4 garlic cloves, peeled
• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Goat cheese (you can use a seasoned goat cheese – a garlic and herb variety would work well)
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F. Slice the Italian bread or baguette in half lengthwise and place cut-side up on a large baking sheet.
• In a medium bowl, combine the butter, salt (if using), Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, garlic paste, and cheeses. Mix together with a fork or hand mixer until evenly combined.
• Use a rubber spatula to spread the butter mixture evenly over the cut sides of the bread.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the bread start to crisp.
• Turn your oven to a low broil and broil the bread for an additional 2 minutes, until the cheese begins to brown and the edges of the bread crisp up.
• Remove from the oven, slice, and serve warm.

Tips:

• If using salted butter, omit the added salt. Goat cheese has a lot of tang, so it's best to control the salt in this recipe.
• The crushed red pepper flakes add flavor but not much heat.
• Garlic paste can usually be found in the product section with the herbs.
• Fresh garlic can be used instead of garlic paste, but the paste gives a smoother and more even flavor.

Serving Suggestions:

• Pasta: This garlic bread is the perfect side to a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs or any other pasta in a cream sauce.
• Soup: Garlic bread pairs well with thick soups like tomato soup or butternut squash soup.
• Stews: Try it with a hearty stew like chunky chili.
• Meat: Baked chicken is an excellent choice to serve alongside this garlic bread.

Goat Cheese and Herb Bread

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons garlic paste
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 4 ounces goat cheese, softened
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
• 1 tablespoon chopped herbs of your choice (such as chives, thyme, or rosemary)
• 1 loaf Italian bread, baguette, or any sturdy white bread
• Salt to taste (optional)

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F.
• In a bowl, combine the softened butter, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, garlic paste, and both cheeses. Mix well until evenly combined.
• Chop your chosen herbs and parsley. Add them to the bowl and mix until well incorporated.
• Slice your loaf of bread in half lengthwise and place it cut-side up on a large baking sheet.
• Spread the herb and cheese mixture evenly over the cut sides of the bread.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the bread start to become crisp.
• For an extra crispy finish, turn on your oven's broiler to low and broil the bread for an additional 2 minutes, keeping a close eye on it to ensure it doesn't burn.
• Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool slightly. Slice and serve warm.

Tips and Variations:

• Feel free to experiment with different types of goat cheese, such as a garlic and herb variety, to enhance the flavors.
• If you prefer a stronger garlic flavor, you can substitute fresh garlic cloves for the garlic paste.
• This bread makes an excellent side dish for pasta, soup, stews, or meat dishes.
• For a simple and satisfying snack, spread goat cheese on crusty bread, such as sourdough or baguette.
• To add a crunchy texture, sprinkle toasted nuts like walnuts, almonds, or pistachios over the bread before baking.
• You can also serve this bread with a drink, preferably a glass of sparkling wine, for a truly indulgent experience.

Goat Cheese and Honey Bread

Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that pairs well with various breads, including those with sweet and savoury notes. A popular combination is goat cheese and honey bread, which offers a delightful balance of creamy, tangy, and sweet flavours. Here is a recipe for a mouth-watering goat cheese and honey bread that you can easily make at home:

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon sodium-free baking powder
• 4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
• 1 tablespoon fresh chopped chives (dried chives can be used in a pinch)
• 12 ounces of beer (ale or lager work well)
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare a 9" bread pan by spraying it with cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, combine the flour and baking powder, stirring until thoroughly mixed.
• Gently mix the crumbled goat cheese and chopped chives into the dry ingredients.
• Add the honey and beer to the mixture and stir until everything is combined.
• Pour the batter into your prepared pan and drizzle the melted butter on top.
• Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and cooked through.
• Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for 15-20 minutes before transferring it to a cooling rack.
• Enjoy your delicious goat cheese and honey bread!

This bread is best enjoyed warm, but it can be tricky to slice when it's fresh out of the oven. If you can resist the temptation, let it cool completely before slicing for easier handling. However, if you can't wait, be careful when cutting the bread!

Feel free to experiment with different types of beer, herbs, and even substitute other cheeses to create your unique version of this tasty treat.

Goat Cheese and Olive Bread

Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be paired with various types of bread to create delicious appetizers, snacks, or meals. One mouthwatering combination is Goat Cheese and Olive Bread, a savoury quick bread that is perfect for any time of the day. This bread is a twist on the traditional French "le cake", a savoury cake often served as an hors d'oeuvre with a glass of wine.

Ingredients

The key ingredients in Goat Cheese and Olive Bread are, of course, goat cheese and olives. For the cheese, you'll want to use a soft goat cheese that can be easily crumbled or cut into small pieces. As for the olives, kalamata olives are a popular choice, but you can also use green or black olives, depending on your preference.

In addition to these stars of the show, you'll need some staple baking ingredients like flour, baking powder, eggs, olive oil, and milk. To add some extra flavour and depth, ingredients like fresh herbs (parsley, rosemary, thyme), spices (chilli powder, cayenne pepper), honey, and citrus zest are often included.

Method

The method for making Goat Cheese and Olive Bread is quite straightforward. You'll start by preheating your oven and preparing a loaf pan with grease and parchment paper. Then, you'll whisk together the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another. Combine the wet and dry mixtures, being careful not to overmix, and fold in your goat cheese, olives, and any other add-ins.

Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and bake for around 35 to 60 minutes, depending on the recipe. The bread is ready when it's golden brown and a toothpick or tester inserted into the centre comes out clean. Let the bread cool for a few minutes before removing it from the pan and transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Serving Suggestions

Goat Cheese and Fig Bread

Ingredients:

• Goat Cheese
• Figs
• Olive Oil
• Parsley
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Honey
• Clementine Zest
• Flour
• Baking Powder
• Salt
• Pepper
• Eggs
• Milk

Steps:

• Cut the goat cheese into small pieces and refrigerate until needed.
• Toss the figs, parsley, rosemary, and thyme together in a small bowl.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper.
• In another bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, oil, and honey until blended.
• Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and stir until the dough is almost blended.
• Scatter the fig mixture over the dough and cover with the chilled goat cheese.
• Grate the zest of a clementine or tangerine over the cheese.
• Stir everything together gently until combined.
• Transfer the dough to a loaf pan and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden and a tester comes out clean.
• Allow the bread to cool before serving.

Tips:

• When shopping for fresh figs, look for figs with stems that give a little when bent and skin that has a slight wear.
• Avoid figs that are oozing, shrunken, or over-squishy.
• Fresh figs are best stored at room temperature in a well-ventilated area but can be refrigerated to extend their shelf life.
• For a vegetarian option, you can replace the prosciutto with pistachios.

Frequently asked questions