Patrick Oconnell
Goat cheese, or chèvre in French, is a versatile ingredient with a rich, tangy flavour and a creamy texture. It is an excellent addition to many recipes, from salads to pastas, pizzas, sandwiches, and more. Its distinctive taste and texture make it a great pairing with a variety of foods, from sweet to savoury. So, what foods go well with goat cheese? Fresh fruits like apples, pears, and berries are a great match, as are nuts, honey, and bread. Goat cheese can also be used in cooking, adding a creamy and tangy element to dishes like pasta and salads.
Foods that go with goat cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fruits | Apricot, peach, nectarine, apple, pear, fig, grape, strawberry, cherry, redcurrant, blueberry, honeydew |
| Vegetables | Artichoke, arugula, asparagus, avocado, beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, celery, corn, cucumber, endive, green beans, guava, lettuce, mushroom, dates |
| Breads | Multigrain, walnut, raisin, nutty |
| Nuts | Walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios |
| Herbs | Basil, spinach, lemon, garlic, dill |
| Meat | Prosciutto, baked chicken, turkey |
| Other | Honey, crackers, pasta, pizza, salad, yogurt, fromage blanc, flatbread, crostini |
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What You'll Learn
Salads
A classic French bistro salad features tender lettuce and warm, panko-crusted goat cheese rounds. The cheese is crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside, and the warm, gooey cheese contrasts beautifully with the fresh lettuce.
For a more colourful salad, try combining peppery baby arugula leaves with beetroot and pear. The sweetness of the fruit and the peppery, earthy notes of the beetroot and arugula complement the tangy goat cheese crumbles. A simple oil and vinegar dressing is all that's needed to bring this salad together.
In summer, when fresh goat cheese is at its peak, try a salad of heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil, and baby arugula greens. The sweetness of the tomatoes and the peppery notes of the arugula are a perfect match for the creamy goat cheese. A vinaigrette dressing with honey and basil boosts the summery flavours.
Grilled apricot and prosciutto is another sweet and salty salad combination that pairs well with creamy goat's cheese. For a heartier option, try a sweet potato and spinach salad with caramelised onions. The natural sweetness of the potatoes and onions is a perfect match for the tangy goat cheese.
Goat cheese also works well in Indian-inspired salads, such as a naan bread salad with spinach, garlic, and caramelised onions. The warm, soft cheese contrasts beautifully with the crunchy naan bread.
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Sweet treats
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of sweet treats. Its rich, tangy, and creamy flavour makes it a delicious addition to many recipes. Here are some ideas for sweet treats that incorporate goat cheese:
Fruits and Conserves
Goat cheese pairs well with fresh, seasonal fruits. In the summer, try combining fresh goat cheese with slices of peach, apricot, nectarine, or red berries like cherries and redcurrants. For a more sophisticated option, serve warm goat cheese fritters with a tropical fruit dipping sauce. In the autumn, opt for apples, pears, figs, or grapes to accompany more aged cheeses.
Goat cheese also goes well with sweet conserves. A milder fresh goat cheese pairs perfectly with fig or raspberry jam, while a ripened goat log will taste great with black cherry or blueberry conserves. For a touch of sweetness, try drizzling honey over goat cheese, or spreading it on toast for a superstar appetiser or salad.
Nuts and Breads
Nuts are a classic partner for cheese, adding a decorative touch and a crunchy texture. Arrange walnuts, hazelnuts, figs, or dates on your cheese platter, or offer a mixture of chopped nuts like raisins, pistachios, and walnuts. Goat cheese also pairs well with different types of bread, such as multigrain, walnut, or raisin bread, providing a sweet and savoury contrast.
Salads and Desserts
Goat cheese can be a delicious addition to salads, providing a tangy and creamy element. Try a grilled apricot salad with prosciutto, or a sweet potato and spinach salad with caramelised onions. For a winter treat, combine beets and pears with tangy goat cheese crumbles, baby arugula leaves, and a vinaigrette dressing.
For a more indulgent option, consider a goat cheese mousse as an appetizer, serving it as a topping for warm crostini or a dip for crudites. Goat cheese can also be used in desserts, such as pairing it with gingerbread, which has subtle notes of honey, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
These are just a few ideas for sweet treats that incorporate goat cheese, showcasing its versatility and ability to enhance a variety of dishes.
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Appetisers
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be baked, fried, or spread, making it an excellent choice for appetisers. Here are some ideas for appetisers featuring goat cheese:
Goat Cheese Crostini
Crostini is a simple yet elegant appetiser that can be made by spreading goat cheese on sliced baguette or toasted bread. It can be served plain or with various toppings, such as honey, fresh herbs, or a garlicky dressing. This appetiser is easy to assemble and full of wonderful textures and flavours.
Goat Cheese with Fruit and Crackers
Goat cheese pairs beautifully with fresh fruits such as cranberries, oranges, and figs. Create a gorgeous appetiser by spreading goat cheese on crackers and topping it with honey and sliced fresh fruit. You can also add some chopped nuts, such as walnuts, or pecans, for a crunchy texture and extra flavour.
Baked Goat Cheese
For a warm and comforting appetiser, try baking goat cheese. You can create a simple baked goat cheese dish or combine it with other ingredients, such as ricotta and candied tomatoes. Another option is to make a baked goat cheese salad by breading the cheese for a crispy exterior.
Goat Cheese with Vegetables
Goat cheese also pairs well with vegetables. Try making a cauliflower soup with herbed goat cheese or topping green beans with creamy goat cheese and smoky pimentón de la Vera, as suggested by chef Justin Chapple. You can also serve goat cheese with roasted or raw vegetables, such as sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, or bell peppers.
Goat Cheese Pizza
Goat cheese can be used as a delicious alternative to traditional pizza cheese. Simply spread it on a pizza base and add your favourite toppings. You can also make mini goat cheese pizzas as appetisers or finger foods for your next gathering.
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Pasta
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used to create rich-tasting pasta dishes. Its creamy texture and tangy flavour make it a delicious addition to pasta sauces. Here are some ways to incorporate goat cheese into your pasta creations:
Creamy Goat Cheese Pasta
For a lighter alternative to heavy cream-based pasta dishes, try using tangy goat cheese as the base for your sauce. Simply mix goat cheese with some pasta water to create a creamy, flavourful sauce. Enhance the dish by adding fresh herbs such as basil, spinach, and garlic. You can also include other ingredients like lemon zest or crushed red pepper to add a tangy twist to your pasta.
Macaroni and Cheese
Create an indulgent, creamy macaroni and cheese by combining goat cheese with other cheeses like cheddar and Parmesan. The combination of these cheeses will result in an outrageously delicious sauce. Enhance the dish with fresh herbs and a sprinkle of black pepper to take it to the next level.
Goat cheese pairs well with various vegetables, and you can use this to your advantage when creating pasta dishes. Try adding sautéed mushrooms, asparagus, or artichokes to your pasta and topping it with crumbled goat cheese. You could also incorporate roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or eggplant, and mix them with hot pasta and goat cheese for a warm, satisfying meal.
Baked Pasta with Goat Cheese
Create a hearty baked pasta dish by layering pasta sheets with a mixture of goat cheese, ricotta, and your choice of herbs. You can also add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to the layers for extra flavour and nutrition. Top the dish with a generous amount of goat cheese and bake it until it's golden and bubbly.
Goat cheese is an excellent addition to pasta salads. Create a colourful and tasty pasta salad by mixing cooked pasta with crumbled goat cheese, chopped vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers, and a vinaigrette dressing. You can also add grilled chicken or shrimp to make it a more substantial meal.
These are just a few ideas to get you started. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and combinations to create your own unique goat cheese pasta dishes!
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Breads
For a simple yet delicious appetiser, try warm goat cheese on toast, seasoned with cracked black pepper. For a more complex flavour profile, pair the cheese with fig jam or onion confit. For a refreshing summer dish, serve goat cheese on toast with a salad of heirloom tomatoes, baby arugula greens, and a vinaigrette dressing made with honey and fresh basil.
For a heartier option, try an Indian naan bread pizza. The soft and chewy texture of naan bread pairs well with the creamy goat cheese, and the flavours of the cheese will complement a variety of toppings. For a lighter option, use goat cheese as the base for a creamy pasta sauce, adding spinach, lemon, garlic, and fresh basil.
For a sweet treat, try pairing goat cheese with honey on toast. For a milder cheese, use a fresh goat cheese and a mild honey such as acacia honey. For a more intense flavour, pair a ripened goat log with a richly aromatic honey like chestnut or lavender honey.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many foods that pair well with goat cheese. For a sweet and savoury combination, try honey, gingerbread, or nuts like walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, and raisins. Goat cheese is also commonly paired with fruits like apples, pears, figs, berries, and tropical fruits.
Goat cheese can be added to many dishes, including salads, pastas, pizzas, and sandwiches. It can be used as a spread, a topping, or a stuffing for chicken and turkey. Some specific recipes that use goat cheese include goat cheese mousse, goat cheese fritters, and a French bistro goat cheese salad.
The type of goat cheese you use will depend on your personal preference and the dish you are making. Fresh goat cheese is tangy, earthy, and creamy, while aged goat cheese is firmer and crumbly.
