Patrick Oconnell
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of appetizers. Its tangy, creamy texture and earthy flavour make it a great base for many dishes. From crostini to dips, and stuffed dates to pizza, goat cheese is a popular choice for easy entertaining. Its versatility means it can be paired with a variety of ingredients, from the sweet—like honey, jam, and fruit—to savoury—like herbs, nuts, and meats.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | Multigrain, nutty, sourdough, gingerbread |
| Crackers | Flatbread, breadsticks |
| Fruits | Seasonal, apples, pears, figs, grapes, apricots, peaches, nectarines, berries, plums, strawberries |
| Vegetables | Sugar snap peas, asparagus, beetroot, tomatoes, onions |
| Nuts | Walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, raisins |
| Meat | Chicken, bacon, prosciutto |
| Seafood | N/A |
| Condiments | Honey, maple syrup, jam, cinnamon, gingerbread, balsamic vinegar |
| Drinks | Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Riesling |
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What You'll Learn
Goat cheese with honey, pecans, and thyme
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be baked, fried, or spread, and is a great addition to any appetizer spread. Its tangy, earthy flavor and creamy yet stable texture make it a unique and tasty treat.
One simple and elegant appetizer is goat cheese with honey, pecans, and thyme. The sweetness of the honey perfectly complements the creaminess of the goat cheese, while the pecans add a nutty flavor and a crunchy texture. The thyme adds a fresh herbal touch to the dish. This appetizer can be served on toasted crostini, made from slices of baguette drizzled with olive oil and toasted in the oven.
To make this dish, mix the goat cheese with honey until relatively smooth, and spread the mixture on the warm, freshly toasted bread. Top with pecans, thyme, and a sprinkle of sea salt and black pepper. For an extra touch of sweetness, you can drizzle the crostini with additional honey before serving.
This appetizer is a quick and easy option that is sure to impress your guests. It can be made in about 5 minutes and is a great addition to any holiday gathering or cheese board.
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Goat cheese with garlic dressing
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from appetizers to salads and mains. Its creamy texture and tangy flavor make it a perfect match for many different foods, especially when combined with garlic. Here are some ideas for what to pair with goat cheese with garlic dressing:
Breads and Crackers
Vegetables
The goat cheese with garlic dressing can also be served with a variety of vegetables. Try dipping crudites such as watermelon radishes, small red radishes, cucumber spears, bell peppers, grape tomatoes, and carrots. Alternatively, grill or roast vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, or bell peppers and serve them with the goat cheese spread on the side.
Proteins
Pasta and Lasagna
The goat cheese with garlic dressing can be tossed with pasta until creamy or added to a vegetarian lasagna for an indulgent touch.
Salads and Yogurt
Drinks
When serving goat cheese with garlic dressing, consider offering a glass of Merlot on the side to complement the flavors.
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Goat cheese on a pizza
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from appetizers to salads and mains. Its distinct tangy flavor and creamy texture make it a great option for pizza. Here are some tips and ideas for creating delicious goat cheese pizzas:
Dough and Crust:
Goat cheese pizzas are best when cooked at a very high temperature, and the dough is super thin to avoid over-crisping. For a gluten-free option, you can use flatbread or a gluten-free crust. If you want a nutty flavor, you can opt for a nutty bread base.
Sauces:
Instead of the traditional tomato sauce, you can get creative with different sauces. Try a Dijon-based sauce, mixing Dijon mustard with cream, or a drizzle of olive oil. If you want something sweeter, you can use a jam, such as fig or onion jam, and drizzle it over the dough before adding other toppings.
Toppings:
Goat cheese pairs well with a variety of toppings, especially caramelized onions. You can also add other vegetables like roasted red peppers, arugula, and summer tomatoes. For meat lovers, bacon or prosciutto can be a tasty addition. If you're looking for something sweeter, try pairing the goat cheese with fruits like figs, apples, or pears. You can also add nuts and cranberries for a crunchy texture. Don't forget to add some herbs like basil, thyme, or rosemary to enhance the flavors.
Finishing Touches:
To take your goat cheese pizza to the next level, add a balsamic reduction or drizzle, and some honey. If you want an extra cheesy kick, you can add mozzarella or gruyere.
Baking Instructions:
Preheat your oven to a high temperature, around 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius). Place the dough on a baking sheet or pizza stone and pre-bake for about 5 minutes to crisp the crust. Add your desired toppings and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on the pizza as the high temperature can lead to quick cooking. Once it's done, top with fresh basil, slice, and serve!
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Goat cheese with fig jam and pecans
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to appetizers. Its distinct tangy and creamy flavour pairs well with both sweet and savoury flavours.
One such pairing is goat cheese with fig jam and pecans. This combination is perfect as a simple and quick holiday appetizer that can be made in under 10 minutes. The warm and creamy goat cheese topped with sweet fig jam and crunchy pecans creates a delicious blend of flavours and textures.
To make this appetiser, start by spreading softened goat cheese onto a plate or a shallow bowl. In a small saucepan, warm the fig jam, honey, and balsamic vinegar, whisking to combine. Heat this mixture for about 5 minutes and then remove it from the heat. Allow it to cool for a few minutes before drizzling it over the goat cheese.
Next, sprinkle chopped pecans, fresh thyme leaves or rosemary, and a pinch of sea salt on top. You can serve this appetiser with crackers, crostini, or crusty bread. For a lighter option, you can also serve it with fresh, crunchy vegetables like carrots or celery.
This goat cheese appetizer is a perfect balance of sweet and savoury, creamy and crunchy, making it a delightful treat for any festive gathering or holiday feast.
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Goat cheese with cured meats
Goat cheese, or Chèvre, is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many sweet and savoury dishes. It has a tangy, creamy, and rich flavour and is soft, spreadable, and creamy. It can be eaten warm or cold and is a great addition to a cheese board.
When pairing cured meats with goat cheese, consider the following: cured meats fall into two major groups—whole muscle or encased. Whole muscle meats, like prosciutto, are typically dry-cured, salted, hung to dry, and sometimes smoked. They tend to be sweeter, nuttier, and more "meaty". Encased meats, like salami, are usually fermented in a humid environment and often have a discernible tang, along with intense notes of black pepper, red pepper, fennel, and truffle. When pairing goat cheese with cured meats, consider the acidity and sweetness of the meat, and whether you want to pair likes with likes or opposites. For example, the sweetness of prosciutto can balance the tanginess of goat cheese, while the tanginess of salami can complement the creaminess of the cheese.
- A cheese board with goat cheese, salami, prosciutto, seeded crackers, and a variety of fruits, such as apples, apricots, figs, grapes, and nuts.
- A roasted pear salad with creamy goat cheese, salad greens, honey-roasted pear slices, and toasted walnuts.
- A pasta dish with sautéed vegetables, sun-dried tomatoes, and crumbled goat cheese.
- Goat cheese and cured meats can also be used as toppings for pizzas or sandwiches, or as ingredients in omelettes or frittatas.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many foods that can be paired with goat cheese. Some examples include:
- Fresh fruits such as apples, peaches, apricots, nectarines, red berries, cherries, redcurrants, pears, figs, grapes, plums, and strawberries
- Honey, especially a mild honey like acacia honey
- Nuts, such as walnuts
- Vegetables like asparagus, artichokes, beets, and arugula
- Meat such as prosciutto, pulled rotisserie chicken, or New York strip steak
- Breads like cinnamon raisin toast, baguette, or crostini
Some drink pairings that go well with goat cheese include:
- Wine, specifically Sauvignon Blanc, rosé, and Pinot Noir
- Belgian ales, especially those with a brettanomyces character
Here are some specific recipes that incorporate goat cheese:
- Arugula salad with goat cheese, roasted beets, and a light balsamic vinaigrette
- Goat cheese, honey, and thyme wrapped in phyllo dough and baked
- Goat cheese, strawberries, sugar snap peas, and asparagus
- Goat cheese, walnuts, strawberries, balsamic vinegar, and a protein of your choice
When pairing goat cheese with other foods, consider the following factors:
- The seasonality of the ingredients, as different seasons offer different types of fresh fruits
- The texture of the ingredients, as softer cheeses may pair better with harder ingredients and vice versa
- The sweetness or tartness of the ingredients, as some goat cheeses may be overwhelmed or complemented by these flavors
