Goat Cheese: A Beginner's Guide To Cooking And Eating

Goat cheese is a versatile and creamy cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to pastas to desserts. Its tangy and earthy flavour lends itself well to many recipes, and it can be used as a topping, a spread, or a filling. Whether you're looking for a simple weeknight meal or a more elaborate dish to impress your dinner guests, there are endless possibilities when it comes to using goat cheese in your cooking.

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Goat cheese in salads

Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can add a tangy, creamy texture to your salad. Here are some ideas for incorporating goat cheese into your salad creations:

Baked Goat Cheese Salad

For a warm salad option, try baking goat cheese and serving it with a mix of greens and other fresh ingredients. You can bread the goat cheese for a crispy exterior before baking, or simply bake it plain and let it melt slightly over your salad. This can be served with a variety of toppings, such as walnuts, dried cranberries, or a lemon dressing.

Goat Cheese Toppings

Goat cheese can be crumbled or sliced and used as a topping for your salad. Its tangy flavour pairs well with sweet and crunchy elements. Try combining it with bitter arugula, sweet Asian pear or green apple, and crunchy pumpkin seeds. You can also add some green apples or Bosc pears for a touch of sweetness.

Spinach and Goat Cheese Salad

Create a delicious and nutritious spinach salad by mixing spinach with crumbled goat cheese, bacon, and other vegetables of your choice. You can also add some diced onions for extra flavour. This combination works well in a quiche, or simply enjoyed as a fresh salad.

Summer Flavours

Take advantage of summer flavours by combining grilled nectarines, fresh basil, and goat cheese in your salad. You can also experiment with different types of tomatoes, such as heirloom, grape, or plum tomatoes, for a refreshing and tasty dish.

Hearty Salads

For a more filling option, you can incorporate goat cheese into a heartier salad. Try a steak and goat cheese salad with cranberries, or a chicken breast salad with sun-dried tomatoes and a white wine sauce. These options will leave you feeling satisfied and delighted by the combination of flavours.

With its versatility and unique flavour, goat cheese can elevate your salad creations and provide a tangy, creamy twist to your usual recipes.

Goat cheese in pasta

Goat cheese is a deliciously creamy addition to pasta. It can be used to make a creamy sauce, or served crumbled on top of a pasta dish.

Creamy Goat Cheese Sauce

To make a creamy goat cheese sauce, you can use soft goat cheese, cream, butter, garlic, lemon zest and juice, basil, and parsley. You can also add Parmesan cheese. Start by cooking your pasta al dente according to the package instructions. Reserve a cup of the pasta cooking water. Heat butter in a skillet over medium-high heat, add garlic and saute for 30 seconds to a minute, then add the goat cheese and cream and stir until smooth. Whisk in the pasta water to thin out the sauce as needed. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss the sauce with the pasta and garnish with parsley.

Tomato Goat Cheese Pasta

This is a simple, fresh, and easy recipe that can be made in about 30 minutes. Cook your pasta according to the directions. In a saucepan, saute onion in oil until softened, then add garlic and cook until fragrant. Add crushed tomatoes, basil, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the goat cheese until smooth and creamy. Toss with the drained pasta and enjoy.

Caramelized Mushroom & Goat Cheese Pasta

This recipe is quick to make and requires minimal ingredients. Thinly slice mushrooms, shallots, and garlic and add to a bowl. Add in herbs such as sage, rosemary, and thyme, and drizzle with Worcestershire sauce and vinegar. Heat olive oil and butter in a pan, add the mushroom mixture and cook over medium heat for 25-35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are deeply brown and the shallots are caramelized. When the pasta is two minutes away from being finished, stir the goat cheese into the mushrooms and reduce the heat to low, stirring until a creamy sauce forms. Transfer the pasta to the pan, add a splash of pasta water, and stir to create a glossy sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste and garnish with thyme to serve.

Other Ideas

You can also try adding goat cheese to pasta with cherry tomatoes and spinach, or making a TikTok-inspired pasta dish with cherry tomatoes, feta, and sausage links.

Goat cheese in soups

Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including soups. Here are some ideas for incorporating goat cheese into your soup recipes:

Cauliflower Soup with Herbed Goat Cheese

This soup combines the earthiness of cauliflower with the tangy, creamy flavour of goat cheese. The soup can be pureed for a smooth, creamy texture, or left chunky for a more rustic feel. Fresh or dried herbs such as thyme, rosemary, or chives can be added to the goat cheese to create a delicious, herbed cheese topping for the soup.

Broccoli Soup with Goat Cheese

Broccoli soup is a simple, healthy dish that can be made by boiling and pureeing broccoli. Adding goat cheese to this soup gives it a delicious, creamy texture and a tangy flavour. This soup can be served hot or cold, and the goat cheese can be stirred through the soup or used as a topping.

Goat Cheese and Vegetable Soup

Goat cheese pairs well with a variety of vegetables, so why not try a vegetable soup with a goat cheese twist? Sauté some garlic, onions, and your choice of vegetables (such as carrots, celery, or leeks), add stock and simmer until tender. Then, stir through some goat cheese for a creamy, tangy finish.

Goat Cheese Soup Balls

For a unique and impressive appetizer, try making goat cheese soup balls. Mix soft goat cheese with chopped, toasted nuts (such as pecans or walnuts), dried cranberries, and a touch of honey. Form the mixture into small balls and chill until firm. These can be served as a side or appetizer, adding a unique, tangy twist to your soup course.

Goat Cheese Omelet Soup

For a light and healthy soup option, consider a broth-based soup with a goat cheese omelet on top. Prepare a simple vegetable broth with noodles or rice, and top with a goat cheese omelet. The omelet can be made by combining eggs with milk or water, and stirring through crumbled goat cheese. This soup is a delicious and nutritious option, perfect for a light lunch or appetizer.

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Goat cheese in dips and spreads

Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dips and spreads. Its creamy texture and tangy flavour make it a perfect base for many recipes.

One simple recipe is to mix goat cheese with cream cheese or mascarpone, roasted garlic, chives, and white pepper to make a delicious spread. This can be served on crackers or bread. For a sweeter option, you can add honey to the mixture.

Goat cheese can also be used to make a variety of dips. One option is to combine it with caramelized onion jam, balsamic vinegar, sumac, and coriander, and then sprinkle it with cinnamon sugar. This dip can be served with pita chips or vegetables. Another idea is to mix goat cheese with Greek yoghurt and drizzle the mixture with warm honey, allowing it to cool and thicken into a caramel-like consistency. This sweet dip can be served with fruit or crackers.

Additionally, you can make a savoury dip by blending goat cheese with roasted red peppers, olive oil, and garlic. For a spicier option, add some red pepper flakes or smoked paprika. This dip goes well with pita chips, crackers, or raw vegetables.

Goat cheese can also be rolled into balls and coated in herbs, nuts, or bread crumbs, and then served as an appetizer with a variety of dips or spreads.

Goat cheese in desserts

Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including desserts. Here are some ideas for incorporating goat cheese into sweet treats:

Goat Cheese Cheesecake

For a unique twist on the classic cheesecake, try using goat cheese in place of the traditional cream cheese. The tanginess of the goat cheese pairs beautifully with a sweet crust, such as a pistachio or graham cracker base. Top it off with a drizzle of honey or a bright Meyer lemon cream for a truly indulgent dessert. This dessert can be made into mini cheesecakes for a cute and romantic treat.

Goat Cheese Mousse

Whip up a light and fluffy goat cheese mousse for a dessert that's both elegant and easy to make. Simply whisk together heavy cream and sugar until stiff peaks form, then blend in the goat cheese until smooth. Serve the mousse in small bowls or glasses, topped with roasted blueberries, pistachios, and a drizzle of honey for added sweetness.

Goat Cheese Pudding

For a creamy and tangy treat, try making goat cheese pudding. This dessert is similar to a traditional custard, with the addition of goat cheese for a unique flavor. Simply whisk together eggs, yolks, sugar, and cornstarch, then gradually add in warm milk. Pour the mixture into a saucepan and bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Finally, blend in the goat cheese, butter, lemon juice, and salt until smooth. Chill the pudding in ramekins and top with fresh raspberries and honey for a delightful dessert.

Goat Cheese in Salads

Goat cheese can also be used in sweet salad recipes. Try pairing it with bitter arugula, sweet Asian pear or green apples, and crunchy pumpkin seeds. Alternatively, create a Basque/French salad by frying slices of goat cheese coated in phyllo pastry and serving them with a salad of your choice.

Other Ideas

Experiment with adding goat cheese to other desserts, such as cookies or tarts. For a savory option, try making goat cheese-stuffed mini peppers with pecans and honey, or spreadable goat cheese mixed with roasted garlic, chives, and white pepper.

Frequently asked questions