Patrick Oconnell
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to pizzas and pastas. Its tangy, creamy, and earthy flavour makes it a great addition to many recipes. When it comes to finding the perfect cheese to mix with goat cheese, there are several options to consider. Fresh, fruity cheeses with herbal flavours like Anari can complement goat cheese well, especially in salads or as a topping for grilled fish. For a more intense flavour, a Ripened goat log cheese can be paired with black cherry or blueberry conserves, or even stewed, caramelized, or poached fruits like apples and pears. Honey is also a classic pairing with goat cheese, with mild cheeses matching well with mild honey like acacia honey, and more intense cheeses pairing better with richly aromatic honey like chestnut or lavender honey.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese Combinations | Cheddar, Parmesan, Feta, Cream Cheese, Greek Yogurt |
| Fruit Combinations | Apricot, Apple, Fig, Peach, Pear, Nectarine, Berries, Plums, Grapes, Dates, Guava, Honeydew, Lemon |
| Other Combinations | Honey, Olive Oil, Nuts, Crackers, Bread, Eggs, Herbs, Vegetables (Beets, Arugula, Mushrooms, Corn, Cucumber, etc.), Meat (Chicken, Prosciutto) |
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What You'll Learn
Goat cheese and honey
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient with a rich, tangy flavour and creamy texture. It can be used in a variety of recipes, from salads to pizzas and pastas, and even desserts. One popular way to serve goat cheese is with honey. This combination is simple yet delicious and can be served as an appetizer or dessert.
To make goat cheese and honey, you can start by drizzling honey over fresh goat cheese. You can also sprinkle or roll the goat cheese in crushed nuts such as pecans or hazelnuts, and add herbs like rosemary or thyme for extra flavour. This combination can be served as-is or spread on crostini, bagel chips, Melba toast, or a toasted baguette. For a more complex dish, try baking the goat cheese and honey, or even making a goat cheese mousse.
When choosing goat cheese, opt for the freshest option available, as the tang and texture are important in this simple dish. You can find fresh goat cheese at your local farmer's market, where you can also sample different types of honey to find the perfect pairing. Chestnut honey, for example, adds depth and structure to the dish, while local honey from the same terroir as the goat milk can accentuate the cheese in subtle and profound ways.
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Goat cheese on pizza
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient with a rich, tangy flavour and a creamy texture, making it a delicious addition to many recipes. It can be used as a topping for pizzas, and its creamy texture means it can be spread easily.
One popular recipe for goat cheese pizza is to combine it with caramelized onions. The sweetness of the onions pairs well with the tanginess of the goat cheese, and the combination is elevated further with a balsamic reduction and fresh basil. This pizza can be made with a gluten-free crust and topped with prosciutto for an extra savoury kick.
Another option is to make a white pizza by substituting goat cheese for ricotta. This variation creates a creamy, tangy base for other toppings such as caramelized onions, avocado, bell peppers, and basil. For a more savoury profile, prosciutto can be added, or arugula for a lighter option.
Goat cheese also pairs well with tomatoes, especially when combined with other toppings like sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and arugula. A simple, classic combination is to pair goat cheese with a tangy, garlicky tomato sauce and mozzarella. This creates gooey pockets of cheese and a flavourful sauce.
For a quick and easy option, store-bought flatbreads can be brushed with olive oil and topped with goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and chopped Kalamata olives. Baked for 15 minutes, this thin-crust pizza is a crispy, satisfying option.
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Goat cheese in pasta
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from breakfast to dessert. Its earthy, buttery, and tangy flavour makes it a great addition to pasta. Here are some tips and recipes for creating delicious goat cheese pasta dishes:
Creamy Goat Cheese Pasta:
For a simple and quick weeknight meal, try making a creamy goat cheese pasta. Cook your pasta of choice al dente according to the package instructions. Reserve a cup of the pasta cooking water. In a skillet, heat some butter over medium-high heat and add garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, until the garlic becomes aromatic. Add soft goat cheese and cream or half-and-half, stirring and whisking until smooth. Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce, adding pasta water as needed to adjust the consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and garnish with fresh herbs like basil, parsley, and lemon zest. This recipe is best enjoyed fresh but can also be frozen for up to 6 months.
Tomato Goat Cheese Pasta:
For a fresh and easy goat cheese pasta, try combining goat cheese with a simple tomato sauce. Sauté onions in oil until softened, then add garlic and cook until fragrant. Stir in crushed or finely chopped tomatoes and simmer for about 10 minutes. Add goat cheese and fresh basil, stirring until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper, then toss with your cooked pasta of choice. If you prefer a thinner sauce, add reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency. This dish can be served with a bright salad and crusty bread.
Caramelized Mushroom Goat Cheese Pasta:
For a cozy and creamy mushroom pasta, thinly slice mushrooms, shallots, and garlic. Add them to a bowl with sage, rosemary, thyme, and a drizzle of Worcestershire sauce and vinegar. In a sauté pan, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat, then add the mushroom mixture. Cook for 25-35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are deeply browned and the shallots are caramelized. When the pasta is almost ready, stir in the goat cheese and reduce the heat to low, creating a creamy sauce. Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce, adding pasta water as needed. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with fresh thyme.
Goat Cheese Pairings:
When making goat cheese pasta, you can experiment with various pairings to enhance the flavour and creaminess of the dish. Goat cheese pairs well with fresh herbs like basil, parsley, and rosemary. It also complements ingredients like honey, lemon, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and various vegetables. For a heartier dish, try combining goat cheese with other cheeses like cheddar and Parmesan.
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Goat cheese and fruit
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to pizzas and pastas. Its earthy, buttery, and tangy flavour pairs well with fruits, especially when served as an appetizer or dessert.
A popular way to serve goat cheese and fruit is on a crostini. To make this, simply toast slices of French baguette, spread on a mixture of goat cheese and honey, and top with seasonal fresh fruit. Berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries, are a popular choice, but other fruits such as peaches, pears, and apples can also be used. A sprinkle of flakey sea salt and some fresh mint can also enhance the flavours of the dish.
Another option is to serve a fruit salad with fried goat cheese balls. This combination of crunchy, fried cheese and sweet fruit is refreshing on a hot summer day. You can also add cucumbers and a vinaigrette dressing to the salad for extra crunch and flavour.
For a heartier dish, try a flatbread pizza topped with goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and chopped Kalamata olives. Or, for a lighter option, skip the heavy cream and butter in a fettuccine Alfredo and replace them with tangy goat cheese. Spinach, lemon, garlic, and basil can also be added for extra flavour.
Goat cheese can also be used in desserts, such as a cheesecake paired with fresh berries or a unique, tangy pudding made by blending vanilla custard with goat cheese and a touch of lemon juice.
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Goat cheese and wine
Goat cheese is a versatile and delicious ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to pizzas and pastas. Its tangy, creamy flavour and spreadable texture make it a great addition to many recipes.
When it comes to wine, goat cheese can be paired with a variety of options. A classic Sauvignon Blanc is a good choice, as is a dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Riesling. If you prefer rosé, a Provence wine would be a perfect pairing. For red wine lovers, any high-acidity dry red wine will create a killer combination. The acidity in the wine helps to balance the richness of the goat cheese.
Goat cheese also pairs well with sweet accompaniments, such as fruit and honey. In the summer, fresh goat cheese can be paired with slices of peach, apricot, nectarine, or red berries like cherries or redcurrants. In autumn, apples, pears, figs, or grapes are the perfect match for aged goat cheeses. A milder goat cheese will taste great with a sweet conserve, like fig or raspberry jam. For a stronger cheese, try a richly aromatic honey like chestnut or lavender.
For a savoury dish, goat cheese can be used in a variety of recipes. It can be stuffed into baked chicken or turkey, spread on toast, sprinkled over salads, or used as a pizza topping. Goat cheese also works well in pasta dishes, adding a creamy texture and tangy flavour.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheddar, Parmesan, and Gruyere are some cheeses that pair well with goat cheese.
Fruits, vegetables, herbs, nuts, and spices are some ingredients that pair well with goat cheese. Some specific examples include apricot, artichoke, arugula, asparagus, avocado, beetroot, blueberry, broccoli, cabbage, celery, corn, cucumber, dates, endive, fig, green beans, honeydew, lettuce, mushroom, nectarine, peach, pear, honey, olive oil, and rosemary.
Some dishes that can be made using goat cheese include salads, pastas, pizzas, sandwiches, and desserts. Goat cheese can also be used as a topping or spread on dishes such as eggs, toast, crackers, and flatbreads.
Dry white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Riesling pair well with goat cheese. A Provence rose or high-acidity dry red wines would also be good choices.
