Randy Chandler
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to appetizers. When it comes to fruit, there are many options that pair well with goat cheese, creating a delicious combination of sweet and savoury flavours. Popular fruit choices include peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots, cherries, and mangoes. Additionally, berries such as blackberries and blueberries can also be paired with goat cheese. The creamy texture and tangy flavour of goat cheese complement the sweetness of the fruit, resulting in a refreshing and tasty treat.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fruits | Apricot, Fig, Mango, Peach, Pear, Persimmon, Watermelon |
| Salad | Spinach, Cucumber |
| Bread | Toasted bread, Baguette |
| Nuts | Pine nuts |
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What You'll Learn
Goat cheese, honey, and fruit crostini
To make this recipe, start by toasting slices of baguette. You can use either a whole wheat or white baguette, or a mix of both, to give your guests options. Brush both sides of the slices with olive oil and toast them in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about ten minutes until they are golden and crunchy.
While the bread is toasting, prepare the goat cheese mixture by mixing softened goat cheese with honey until you have a relatively smooth spread. A little crumbly texture is okay! If you're using walnuts, spread them out on a baking sheet and roast them in the oven for 4-7 minutes until golden and aromatic.
Once the toast has cooled slightly, spread a thin layer of the goat cheese mixture on each slice. Top the crostini with your choice of fruit. Fresh seasonal fruit works best—strawberries, blackberries, peaches, figs, and mango are all great options. You can also use dried fruit like cranberries or even cured meats and vegetables for a savory twist.
Before serving, drizzle each crostini with a little more honey and sprinkle with fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or basil for a lovely touch of freshness. A sprinkle of sea salt and black pepper can also enhance the flavors. If you're using walnuts, top the crostini with them now for a crunchy finish.
This appetizer can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a day, or at room temperature for 8-10 hours. If you're making it in advance, you might want to reheat the crostini in the oven for a few minutes before serving to maintain its crunch, especially if you live in a humid area.
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Summer fruit salad with fried goat cheese
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy a refreshing fruit salad, and frying goat cheese is a great way to add a savoury, crunchy contrast to the sweetness of the fruit. This summer fruit salad with fried goat cheese is a delicious combination of flavours and textures, and it's easy to make too.
Start by choosing your favourite summer fruits. Cherries, peaches, plums, nectarines, and strawberries are all fantastic options that will add a burst of juiciness to your salad. You can also include some cucumber for a refreshing balance. Cut your fruit into bite-sized pieces or slices and set aside.
Next, prepare the fried goat cheese. Roll the goat cheese into equal-sized balls, about 1-inch in diameter. You'll want to make these small enough to pop into your mouth, but not so small that they get lost in the salad. Once you have your cheese balls, it's time to bread them. Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and the last with panko (Japanese-style breadcrumbs). First, roll each cheese ball in the flour, then dip it into the egg, shaking off any excess, and finally, roll it in the panko until evenly coated.
Now it's time to fry your goat cheese. Heat some oil in a pan over medium heat. You want the oil to be hot but not smoking. Carefully place your breaded cheese balls into the oil and fry them until they are golden brown and crispy all over. This should only take a few minutes, so keep an eye on them to ensure they don't burn. Once they're done, transfer the fried cheese balls to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil.
For the final assembly, toss your prepared fruit with a handful of fresh herbs (such as basil or mint) and a simple lemon vinaigrette. Arrange the fruit salad on a serving platter and top with the warm, crispy fried goat cheese balls. You can also add some arugula and red onion to the salad for a savoury kick and a pop of colour.
This summer fruit salad with fried goat cheese is a delightful blend of sweet, tangy, and savoury flavours, and the contrast of textures will keep your taste buds entertained all season long!
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Fruits that pair well with goat cheese
Goat cheese, or chèvre, is a popular option for those who are lactose intolerant as it has significantly less lactose than cheese made from cow's milk. Its creamy and tangy flavour makes it a great addition to a variety of dishes, especially salads and sides.
Goat cheese pairs well with a variety of fruits, especially seasonal ones. Some fruits that go well with goat cheese include:
- Figs
- Mangoes
- Peaches
- Apricots
- Nectarines
- Pears
- Plums (or prunes)
- Apples
- Persimmons
Recipes with goat cheese and fruit
A popular recipe with goat cheese and fruit is the goat cheese, honey, and fruit crostini. This simple recipe involves toasting slices of bread, spreading a mixture of goat cheese and honey on them, and topping them with fruit. It is a perfect, easy appetizer for any get-together.
Another recipe is a summer fruit salad with fried goat cheese. This colourful salad is a perfect side dish on a hot summer day, with a good contrast of sweet, crunchy, and savoury elements.
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Goat cheese with sweet potato and spinach salad
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that pairs well with various fruits, such as peaches, mangoes, and figs. It can also be used in salads, like the Roasted Sweet Potato and Spinach Salad, to add a creamy tanginess.
Ingredients:
- Sweet potatoes
- Spinach or baby arugula
- Goat cheese
- Pears
- Pomegranate seeds
- Toasted pecans
- Olive oil
- Brown sugar or coconut sugar or maple syrup
- Garlic powder
- Cinnamon
- Cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper
- Balsamic vinegar
- Honey or maple syrup
- Dijon mustard
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 425 °F (or 180 °C). Peel and cube the sweet potatoes and toss them in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread the sweet potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and roast for about 20 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Meanwhile, prepare the dressing by whisking together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey or maple syrup, dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. Wash and dry the spinach or arugula and place it in a large serving bowl or platter. Top with cubed or sliced sweet potatoes, thinly sliced pears, pomegranate seeds, and toasted pecans.
Finally, crumble the goat cheese over the salad and drizzle with the dressing. Serve immediately. This salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-4 days, depending on the ingredients used.
Feel free to customize this salad with ingredient swaps, such as using butternut squash instead of sweet potatoes, or adding cranberries, pumpkin seeds, or walnuts for extra crunch. Enjoy the perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors in this delicious and healthy salad!
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Fruits that can be used as a substitute for goat cheese
Goat cheese, or chèvre, is a popular choice for those who are lactose intolerant as it has significantly less lactose due to the fermentation process. It is delicious on its own, with crackers, or as part of a salad or crostini.
There are many fruits that can be used in these dishes to complement the flavour of goat cheese. Seasonal fruits are often used, such as peaches, or other stone fruits like mango and fig. For a summer fruit salad, cucumber is a refreshing addition. Other fruits that can be used include apricot, nectarine, pear, and persimmon.
Fruits are often paired with honey and pine nuts when used in a crostini or salad with goat cheese. The honey is drizzled over the goat cheese and fruit, and the pine nuts are sprinkled on top.
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Frequently asked questions
Some fruits that go well with goat cheese include peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots, cherries, cranberries, dates, pineapple, mango, watermelon, apples, and pears.
Goat cheese and fruit can be served in a variety of ways, such as in a salad, on a platter with crackers or toasted baguette, or as an appetizer with honey and nuts.
There are many recipes that include fruit and goat cheese, such as a stone fruit salad with mint and toasted almonds, a crostini with honey, or grilled goat cheese salad with peaches and basil.
Goat cheese is a soft, creamy, tangy cheese that pairs well with fruit. It can be used as an ingredient in salads or served on its own with fruit and other toppings. Goat cheese can be purchased or made at home.
