Goat Cheese And Chutney: The Perfect Pairing

Goat's cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in dishes from breakfast to dessert. It has a complex tang and creamy texture, making it a great addition to salads, pasta, and even cheesecake. When it comes to chutney, there are several types that pair well with goat's cheese. A simple chutney can complement a classic goat's cheese tart, while a cranberry chutney can add verve to mild goat cheese for an easy appetiser. Other chutney options include mango, caramelised onion, and red onion.

Mango chutney

When paired with goat's cheese, mango chutney can be used to create delicious appetizers, such as Mango Chutney and Goat Cheese bites served on papadums (a thin, crisp, cracker-like snack popular in South Asian cuisine) or water crackers. This combination can also be used to make a grilled cheese sandwich, where the goat's cheese and mango chutney are sandwiched between two slices of sourdough bread and grilled until golden brown.

The key to a successful pairing of mango chutney and goat's cheese is the contrast of flavours and textures. The sweetness of the mango chutney offsets the tangy, earthy flavour of the goat's cheese, resulting in a delightful combination. The creamy texture of the goat's cheese also complements the fruity sweetness of the mango chutney.

Whether served as an appetizer, grilled cheese sandwich, or simply paired together on a cracker, the combination of mango chutney and goat's cheese is a tasty and elegant option that is sure to impress.

Caramelised onion chutney

Recipes

There are several recipes you can try that include both caramelised onion chutney and goat's cheese.

Caramelised Onion and Goat Cheese Bites

This recipe uses puff pastry, creamy goat's cheese, sweet caramelised onions, and fresh thyme. It is a simple and elegant dish that can be served as an appetizer or at a holiday party.

This recipe is perfect for a lunchtime treat or a dinner party starter. It uses ready-made puff pastry, egg yolk, milk, thyme, and goat's cheese, in addition to the caramelised onion chutney.

This vegetarian recipe is a quick and easy option for a midweek meal or lazy Friday night dinner. It uses tortillas as pizza bases, along with onion, garlic, tomatoes, thyme, goat's cheese, and balsamic vinegar.

Melting Goat's Cheese and Chutney Tarts

This recipe combines goat's cheese with a simple chutney made from red onion, pears, sherry vinegar, muscovado sugar, and thyme. The tarts are baked until dark golden and crisp, and served with a salad and extra chutney on the side.

Cranberry chutney

A cranberry chutney can be made by cooking a shallot in vegetable oil over medium heat until soft. Then, stir in a can of whole-berry cranberry sauce, raisins or golden raisins, orange juice, and salt, and cook over medium heat until the mixture reaches the desired consistency. This cranberry mixture can then be poured over goat's cheese on a serving platter and served with crackers.

For a more complex cranberry chutney, you can add blackberries or blueberries, along with flavourings such as vanilla extract and brown sugar. This chutney can be served with goat's cheese on toasted baguette slices drizzled with olive oil.

Pear chutney

A simple pear chutney is the perfect complement to a classic goat's cheese dish. The sweetness of the pear chutney balances the earthy, slightly tart taste of goat's cheese, resulting in a delightful contrast of flavours.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus extra for dressing
• 1 large red onion, halved and sliced
• 5 pears, peeled and chopped
• 4 tablespoons sherry vinegar, plus extra for dressing
• 4 tablespoons light or dark muscovado sugar
• 2 thyme sprigs, leaves only
• 200g goat's cheese with rind, sliced
• 1 handful watercress to serve (optional)
• Slices of walnut bread, toasted (optional)

Method

• Heat the oil in a large pan, then add the onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened.
• Add the pears, vinegar, sugar, and thyme to the pan. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes until the mixture is tender and sticky.
• Leave the chutney to cool, then season to taste. The chutney can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 week.
• To serve, grill the goat's cheese on a non-stick tray and place on top of the toast or walnut bread. Top with a spoonful of warm pear chutney and a handful of watercress.

Variations and Serving Suggestions

This pear chutney and goat's cheese combination is a great starter and can be served in various ways:

• As a tart: Cut puff pastry into triangles, spread the chutney over the pastry, top with goat's cheese and thyme, and bake until golden and crisp.
• As a burger: Combine goat's cheese and pear chutney in a burger with avocado cream, pancetta, and arugula.
• With grilled cheese: Grill goat's cheese on a non-stick tray and serve with warm pear chutney and watercress on the side.

Tips

• Look for chutneys that offer a contrasting flavour profile to the cheese. Sweet chutneys often complement sharp cheeses, while tangy or spicy chutneys balance creamy or mild cheeses.
• Consider the texture of both the chutney and the cheese for a well-rounded experience. Smooth chutneys work well with thin, delicate crackers, while chunky chutneys can be paired with heartier bread.
• If you don't want to make your own pear chutney, you can purchase it ready-made.

Red onion chutney

A simple red onion chutney can be made by softening sliced onions in oil, adding sugar, and cooking until the onions are coloured. The addition of balsamic vinegar, cider vinegar, garlic, and spices like paprika and cayenne pepper can also enhance the flavour. This chutney can be served with goat's cheese in a variety of ways, such as on a crusty pastry base or as a twist.

For a tasty starter, try making goat's cheese and red onion chutney tartlets. Simply cut the goat's cheese into thick slices and place them in savoury pastry cases. Spoon the chutney around the cheese, grind some black and red pepper on top, and bake in the oven until golden.

If you're looking for a quick and easy dinner, goat's cheese tortilla pizzas are a great option. Spread a tortilla with a tomato sauce, sprinkle with thyme, and top with dollops of red onion chutney and goat's cheese. Bake until the tortilla is golden and the cheese has melted.

For a more impressive dinner party nibble, try making red onion chutney, olive, and goat's cheese twists. Spread puff pastry with the chutney, sprinkle with chopped olives, thyme, and grated goat's cheese, cut into strips, and twist before baking in the oven. These can be made up to 12 hours in advance, making them a convenient option for entertaining.

Frequently asked questions