Bushra Griffith
Goat cheese, or chèvre, is one of the easiest cheeses to pair with wine, with Sauvignon Blanc being the classic match. It also goes well with Belgian ales, especially those with a brettanomyces character. In terms of food, goat cheese is commonly paired with apples, honey, gingerbread, and fresh fruits like strawberries, peaches, apricots, and red berries. It is also used in salads, sandwiches, and savoury dishes, pairing well with arugula, spinach, beets, walnuts, and prosciutto.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flavour | Tangy, earthy, creamy, nutty, sweet |
| Texture | Creamy yet stable |
| Type of Dish | Appetizer, hors d'oeuvre, dip, pizza, crostini, salad |
| Accompaniments | Honey, pecans, thyme, crackers, baguette slices, bread, jam, fruit, vegetables, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, sea salt, pepper, cured meats, nuts, dried fruit, pesto, pine nuts, basil, rosemary, rice crackers, flatbread, yoghurt, pistachios, red pepper flakes, spices, meatballs, prosciutto, balsamic glaze, naan, lavash bread, bacon, dates, fig |
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What You'll Learn
Goat cheese with honey
For a basic goat cheese and honey pairing, start by choosing a fresh, good-quality goat cheese from your local farmer's market. The tang and texture of the cheese are essential in this straightforward dish. Allow the cheese to come to room temperature before serving, as refrigeration can blunt its flavor and affect its texture.
To prepare the dish, you can simply drizzle honey over the goat cheese. Chestnut honey is an excellent choice, as it adds depth and an earthy, gamey note to the pairing. However, feel free to experiment with other varieties of honey to find your preferred flavor combination. You can also sprinkle chopped hazelnuts, pistachios, or pecans on top for added texture and flavor. Fresh thyme, sea salt, and cracked pepper can also enhance the dish.
If you want to get creative, you can bake the goat cheese and honey. Coat cupcake pans with melted butter and cocoa, then fill them with a chocolate, butter, and cream mixture. After baking, let them cool and invert the pans to release the chocolate treats. Serve these with whipped cream, ice cream, or a dusting of cinnamon or chocolate.
Another option is to shape the goat cheese into small balls or patties, coat them with a mixture of pecans and cinnamon, and then drizzle with honey and sprinkle with rosemary. Serve this on crostini, bagel chips, or melba toasts for a tasty appetizer. Alternatively, spread the goat cheese and honey on toasted baguette rounds for a simple, delicious treat.
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Goat cheese with wine
Goat cheese is a versatile treat, pairing well with many wines. The key to pairing wine with goat cheese is to remember that goat cheese has a blank slate profile, with a tangy, tart, and earthy flavour. It is a soft, impressionable cheese, so it is best to avoid bigger, fruitier wines, which can overwhelm it. Instead, opt for wines with fresh acidity.
A classic pairing is goat cheese with Sauvignon Blanc, a dry white wine with an acidic, mineral-driven, and citrusy profile that adds herbal flavours to the cheese. Sauvignon Blancs from the Loire Valley, such as Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, and Touraine, are especially recommended.
If you prefer red wine, opt for a Cabernet Franc, a light, herbaceous, and tart wine that also pairs well with goat cheese. The Loire Valley produces excellent Cabernet Francs. For a safe bet, choose other cool-climate reds like Gamay, Malbec, Merlot, and Syrah, which have higher acidity and delicate flavours.
For specific types of goat cheese, there are some ideal wine pairings. Goat cheddar goes well with an earthy Pinot Noir, while goat gouda is a good match for a cool-climate Syrah. Herbed chèvre pairs surprisingly well with the affordable alternative to Sauvignon Blanc, Vermentino. Blue goat cheese is a funky pairing with natural wine, and aged goat cheese is a good match for a light-bodied Merlot.
Goat cheese also pairs well with Provence-style rosé and Belgian ales, especially those with a brettanomyces character, such as Orval, a classic Trappist ale.
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Goat cheese with fruit
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that pairs well with many fruits, making it an excellent choice for appetizers, snacks, and desserts. Here are some ideas for combining goat cheese with fruit:
Fresh Fruits
Goat cheese complements the sweetness of fresh, seasonal fruits. In the summer, try pairing it with slices of peach, apricot, nectarine, or red berries like cherries and redcurrants. For autumn, apples, pears, figs, and grapes are ideal matches for the more pronounced flavor of aged goat cheese. These fruit and cheese combinations are perfect for a cheese board or platter, adding a burst of color and a mellow finish to your meal.
Conerves and Jam
Sweet and savory combinations are a classic way to enhance the flavor of goat cheese. Try pairing a mild, fresh goat cheese with a sweet conserve or jam, such as fig, raspberry, or black cherry. For a stronger-flavored cheese, like a Ripened Goat Log, a blueberry conserve will create a delightful contrast.
Stewed, Caramelized, or Poached Fruits
Apples and pears are commonly paired with goat cheese in cooked forms. Whether stewed, caramelized, or poached, these fruits create delicious sweet and savory recipes. For a warm goat cheese toast, spread some cheese on toasted bread and top it with fig jam or onion confit for a savory-sweet delight.
Honey
Honey and goat cheese is a classic combination. Drizzle honey on fresh goat cheese, or blend them together with a splash of lemon juice and olive oil for a refreshing, tangy spread. This mixture can be served with fresh berries for a delightful appetizer or dessert. For a more adventurous pairing, try lavender or chestnut honey with a stronger-flavored goat cheese for an aromatic experience.
Fruit Salads
Goat cheese can be a surprising yet delicious addition to fruit salads. Try frying goat cheese in a crispy panko coating and adding it to a summer fruit salad with cherries, peaches, and strawberries. The crunchy, savory cheese balls will provide a unique texture and flavor contrast to the juicy fruits.
These suggestions showcase the versatility of goat cheese when paired with fruit, offering a range of flavors and textures to suit all palates.
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Goat cheese with nuts
Goat cheese is a versatile treat, popular in the spring, that can be paired with almost any of your favourite snacks. One classic pairing is goat cheese with nuts. Walnuts are a particularly popular choice, as they have a smooth texture that goes well with goat cheese. For a more diverse offering, you can mix in other nuts like pistachios, hazelnuts, and raisins. For a decorative touch, you can also arrange these nuts on a platter with the goat cheese.
If you're looking for a more savoury option, try sprinkling some chopped walnuts on a slice of multigrain bread with goat cheese spread on top. You can also add some fresh fruit like apricots or jam for a sweet snack. For a winter treat, try spreading goat cheese on a bagel with walnuts, honey, and thyme for a comforting bite.
For a more intense flavour, you can pair a stronger-tasting goat cheese with a richly aromatic honey, like chestnut or lavender honey. This combination works well on toast or in a salad. If you're feeling adventurous, try sprinkling on some seafood, like grilled fish, or using the goat cheese as a topping for chicken.
Goat cheese also works well in cooked dishes, like a warm goat cheese appetizer with walnuts, honey, and thyme, or in a sweet and savoury recipe with apples and pears. You can even make a sauce with goat cheese and use it as a topping for your favourite protein.
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Goat cheese with crackers
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from appetizers to desserts. When it comes to pairing goat cheese with crackers, there are several ways to create a delicious and elegant appetizer.
One simple yet tasty option is to spread goat cheese onto crackers and top it with jam and pistachios. You can use a variety of jams, such as cherry, apricot, or blackberry preserves, and if you don't have pistachios, chopped walnuts make a great substitute. This combination of sweet and tangy flavors is sure to delight your taste buds.
For those who enjoy a more savory bite, a goat cheese log with honey, fig jam, and pistachios served with crackers is a perfect choice. The sweetness of the honey and jam pairs beautifully with the tangy goat cheese. If you're looking for a bit of spice, try using chili-flavored pistachios or adding crushed red pepper flakes to your dish.
Another way to elevate your goat cheese and cracker appetizer is to create a simple dressing with extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, sea salt, and fresh herbs like parsley or rosemary. Drizzle this dressing over the goat cheese log and serve it with a variety of crackers on the side. This combination is sure to impress your guests with its complex flavors.
When choosing crackers to pair with goat cheese, opt for sturdy options that can hold up to the thickness of the cheese. Crackers such as Black Truffle crackers, La Panzanella, Breton crackers in original, sesame, or multigrain, and Carrs water table, sesame, or cracked black pepper crackers are all excellent choices.
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Frequently asked questions
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of appetizers, including:
- Goat cheese topped with honey, pecans, and fresh thyme on baguette slices or crackers.
- Goat cheese mixed with honey and spread on crackers, topped with fresh fruit and veggies, and drizzled with balsamic.
- Goat cheese mixed with cream cheese and served as a dip with bread or crackers.
- Baked goat cheese salad with herbed goat cheese and breaded goat cheese.
Goat cheese pairs well with both sweet and savory flavors. Some sweet pairings include honey, vanilla, chocolate, and fresh fruits like pears, apples, cranberries, and figs. Savory pairings include nuts, crackers, bread, cured meats, and vegetables like roasted red peppers, corn, and beets.
Goat cheese can be used in a variety of unique ways beyond appetizers. It can be added to batters and doughs for desserts like blackberry galette, hazelnut-chocolate rugelach, or cheesecake. It can also be used in salads, soups, pasta, and eggs.
Goat cheese is best served at room temperature, so take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before serving. It can be served warm or cold and can be paired with a variety of toppings and ingredients to create different flavors and textures.
