Frederic Melton
Goat cheese is a popular choice for those who are lactose intolerant, as it is made from goat's milk and has a reduced lactose content. It has a tangy, creamy flavour and comes in a variety of forms, from fresh logs to spiced, herb-rolled, or fruit-coated versions. The most popular form of goat cheese is fresh (or white) goat cheese, which is usually sold as a log. This versatile cheese can be used in a variety of sweet and savoury dishes, such as salads, cheese boards, and baked snacks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flavors | Walnuts and honey, lemon zest and cracked pepper, strawberry rosemary sea salt, dried fruit and nuts, roasted bulbs of garlic, herbs, dried cranberries, tarragon, chive, basil, edible flowers, apples, figs, grapes, pomegranate seeds, apricots, salami, prosciutto, dates, almonds |
| Type | Soft, fresh |
| Texture | Fluffy |
| Taste | Tangy, creamy, sweet, herbaceous, salty |
| Molds | Covered in black ash, coated with activated charcoal |
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What You'll Learn
Salads, such as grilled apricot and spinach
Salads and goat cheese are a match made in heaven. The creamy, tangy flavour of goat cheese pairs beautifully with fruits, vegetables, and leafy greens. Here are some delicious ways to incorporate goat cheese into your salads, specifically highlighting the grilled apricot and spinach combination:
Grilled Apricot and Spinach Salad:
- This salad is a delightful combination of sweet, salty, and creamy flavours.
- Grill some apricot halves to achieve a slightly charred, caramelized exterior while retaining a juicy, sweet interior.
- Add a generous handful of baby spinach leaves, providing a nutritious and mild-flavoured base.
- Include some toasted walnuts or pecans for a crunchy texture and a hint of nuttiness.
- For a savoury contrast, add thin slices of prosciutto, a dry-cured ham that complements the sweetness of the apricots.
- Finally, top the salad with creamy goat cheese, adding a tangy and indulgent touch to the dish.
Sweet Potato and Spinach Salad:
- This hearty salad is perfect for a mid-week dinner or a weekend lunch.
- Combine roasted sweet potato cubes with spinach leaves, creating a beautiful colour contrast and a blend of textures.
- Incorporate caramelized onions for a sweet and savoury flavour profile.
- Add some toasted almonds or pumpkin seeds for an extra crunch.
- Finish the salad with crumbled goat cheese, tying all the flavours together.
Strawberry Spinach Salad:
- This salad celebrates the combination of sweet strawberries and tangy goat cheese.
- Layer fresh spinach leaves with sliced strawberries, providing a vibrant and refreshing base.
- Add some sliced red onions for a mild pungency and a pop of colour.
- Include a handful of toasted pecans or walnuts for a crunchy texture and a hint of sweetness.
- Dress the salad with a simple vinaigrette made with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard.
- Just before serving, sprinkle crumbled goat cheese over the salad, adding a creamy and savoury element.
Roasted Pear and Spinach Salad:
- This salad showcases the harmony of roasted pears and goat cheese.
- Combine baby spinach leaves with slices of honey-roasted pear, creating a delightful interplay of flavours and textures.
- Add some toasted walnuts for a crunchy texture and a subtle sweetness.
- You can also include dried cranberries for an extra burst of flavour.
- Dress the salad with a light vinaigrette made with olive oil, honey, and a hint of lemon juice.
- Finish the dish with creamy goat cheese, taking the salad to the next level.
These salads showcase the versatility of goat cheese, highlighting how it enhances the flavours and textures of the accompanying ingredients. Whether it's the sweetness of apricots or pears, the crunch of walnuts or pecans, or the freshness of spinach, goat cheese complements and elevates these salad combinations.
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Honey and nuts, like toasted walnuts
Honey and nuts, specifically toasted walnuts, pair excellently with goat cheese. This combination can be served in a variety of ways, such as a crostini or with crackers.
To make a crostini, preheat your oven to 350°F. Slice a baguette into 1/4–1/2 inch thick slices and arrange them on a large baking sheet. Lightly coat both sides of the slices with olive oil using a pastry brush. On a separate baking sheet, spread the walnuts in a single layer. Toast the walnuts in the oven for 4–7 minutes, keeping a close eye on them to prevent burning. Allow the crostini to cool for a few minutes before adding the toppings to prevent the goat cheese from melting. Once cooled, spread a thin layer of goat cheese onto each slice and top with the toasted walnuts, pomegranate arils, and a drizzle of honey. This dish can be served warm or cold and is a perfect blend of salty, sweet, and tangy flavors.
For a simpler option, you can serve goat cheese with honey and walnuts on crackers. To prepare the goat cheese, toast the walnuts and then chop them on a paper towel. Roll the goat cheese in the walnuts and drizzle with honey. You can cook the honey with thyme to add extra flavor. This appetizer is best served with grapes or seasonal fruit and crackers.
Goat cheese with honey and walnuts is a delicious and elegant dish, perfect for any season and any occasion.
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Fruits, including apples, apricots, and pomegranate seeds
For a simple yet stunning summer appetizer, try serving seasonal fruits with goat cheese, honey, and pine nuts. This combination is a favourite of food stylist Allison Kreitler, who suggests arranging the fruit on a platter for a beautiful presentation. To prepare the fruit, cut 1/8-inch thick rounds, discarding the outer slices that are mostly skin. For larger rounds, cut them in half to create 24 slices of fruit.
Apricots are an excellent choice for this dish, as their sweetness pairs wonderfully with the salty and creamy goat cheese. You can also use other firm but ripe fruits like figs or mangoes. For a unique and elegant touch, try grilling the apricots before adding the goat cheese. This adds a smoky flavour dimension that complements the sweetness of the fruit and the tanginess of the cheese.
Apples are another fantastic option to pair with goat cheese. The crispness and sweetness of apples create a refreshing contrast to the richness of the cheese. Try slicing apples thinly and topping them with a dollop of goat cheese, a drizzle of honey, and a sprinkle of pine nuts for a simple yet elegant appetizer.
Pomegranate seeds also go well with goat cheese, offering a burst of sweetness and a unique texture that pops in the mouth. Create a stunning and colourful dish by scattering pomegranate seeds over a platter of apples or apricots topped with goat cheese, honey, and pine nuts.
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Herbs, including basil, tarragon, and chives
Herbs are a fantastic way to add flavour to goat cheese. The versatility of goat cheese means that it can be paired with a wide variety of herbs, including basil, tarragon, and chives.
Basil, with its slightly sweet and peppery flavour, pairs beautifully with goat cheese. The two ingredients can be combined in a variety of ways, such as in a classic Italian herb medley or with roasted garlic bulbs, sundried tomatoes, and tarragon. This combination of ingredients creates a delicious and elegant flavour profile that is perfect for a summer appetizer or a charcuterie board.
Tarragon, a delicate herb with a subtle aniseed flavour, also complements goat cheese wonderfully. In addition to the aforementioned pairing with basil and garlic, tarragon can be combined with goat cheese and other ingredients to create a range of flavour profiles. For example, it can be mixed with dried cranberries and nuts to create a festive and crowd-pleasing appetizer for the holidays.
Chives, with their mild onion flavour, are another excellent herb to pair with goat cheese. They can be used fresh or dried, and their subtle flavour adds a nice touch to the cheese without being overpowering. Chives pair particularly well with other herbs and spices, such as in a herb medley or with cracked pepper.
When working with these herbs, it is important to note that they are best used finely cut when being mixed directly into the goat cheese. However, when used as a topping, they can be left a bit coarser to provide a nice textural contrast. Additionally, these herbs can be used alone or in combination with each other, offering a range of flavour possibilities for any dish.
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Meat, like salami and prosciutto
Goat cheese, or chèvre, is a popular choice for those who are lactose intolerant as it has significantly lower levels of lactose than cow's milk cheese. Its creamy texture and tangy flavour make it a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes.
Meat, such as salami and prosciutto, is a delicious pairing with goat cheese. The savoury, salty flavours of cured meats complement the tangy, creamy notes of goat cheese. For example, a simple yet mouthwatering combination is a salad of arugula, roasted beets, and goat cheese, topped with slices of prosciutto. The sweetness of the beets and the peppery notes of arugula create a flavourful base for the other ingredients.
Another option is to create a heartier dish by incorporating meat and goat cheese into a warm salad. A grilled apricot salad with prosciutto and goat cheese is a delightful combination of sweet, salty, and creamy flavours. The smokiness of the prosciutto crudo pairs beautifully with the tanginess of goat cheese and the sweetness of grilled apricots.
For a more substantial meal, goat cheese can be served alongside wild game meats such as elk, deer, antelope, or beef. A roast made from these meats, paired with a sweet and tangy sauce and creamy goat cheese, creates an exquisite medley of flavours. The richness of the meat is perfectly balanced by the cool, dry goat cheese and the sweet heat of the sauce.
Additionally, goat cheese can be used as a delicious topping for meats like salami. Try spreading goat cheese on a slice of warm bread, topping it with salami, and adding your choice of vegetables, such as roasted beets or arugula, for a tasty and satisfying bite.
Whether it's the subtle saltiness of prosciutto or the heartier flavours of wild game, the versatility of goat cheese shines when paired with meat.
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Frequently asked questions
Some sweet flavors that pair well with goat cheese include honey, apples, figs, grapes, pomegranate seeds, apricots, and roasted pear slices.
Some savory flavors that go well with goat cheese include salami, prosciutto, basil, tarragon, chives, walnuts, hazelnuts, dried cranberries, and edible flowers.
Goat cheese can be served in a variety of ways, such as baked goat cheese balls, goat cheese dips, or flavored goat cheese logs.
