Goat Cheese: Its Culinary Uses And Benefits

what is goat cheese used for

Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, ranging from appetizers to desserts. Its tangy and creamy texture and flavour profile make it a perfect addition to salads, pastas, pizzas, sandwiches and more. Goat cheese can be used as a topping, a sauce, or a filling and can be baked, grilled, or fried. It is also a great substitute for cream in desserts, adding a unique savoury twist.

Characteristics Values
Goat cheese recipes Salads, pastas, pizzas, sandwiches, appetizers, dips, sauces, desserts
Types of goat cheese Cream cheese, brie, gouda, cheddar, mousse, fritters
Goat cheese pairings Honey, balsamic, basil, prosciutto, bacon, figs, mushrooms, leeks, beets, carrots, spinach, walnuts, vinaigrette, phyllo dough, zucchini, eggs, olive oil, rosemary, berries, corn, rice, cauliflower, soup

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Goat cheese salads

Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads. Here are some ideas for delicious goat cheese salads:

Baked Goat Cheese Salad with Creamy Walnut Vinaigrette

This salad features warm, melty goat cheese rounds with buttery pecans and bright greens, all tossed in a thick, creamy walnut vinaigrette. The nutty, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors of the ingredients are perfectly balanced, making this salad a delightful dish for any occasion.

Sweet and Creamy Goat Cheese Salad with Fruit and Cranberry

This salad is a delightful mix of sweet and savory flavors. It combines arugula, Lebanese cucumbers, purple onions, sliced almonds, grapes, and dried cranberries, all marinated in a tangy lemon vinaigrette. The addition of creamy goat cheese and poppy seeds provides an extra layer of texture and flavor. This salad is perfect for summer evenings, paired with a dry, zesty white wine.

Goat Cheese Salad with Arugula

A versatile and hearty salad, perfect for both summer and winter. It features a combination of salty bacon, tangy and creamy goat cheese, sweet strawberries, and savory garlic butter croutons. You can also swap the strawberries for sliced honeycrisp apples and use store-bought croutons for added convenience. This salad is a delightful blend of flavors and textures, making it a true delight for your taste buds.

Warm Goat Cheese Salad

This salad features warm, gooey goat cheese, which adds a delightful creaminess to the dish. You can pair it with various ingredients, such as buttery pecans, bright greens, and a thick vinaigrette dressing. The warm goat cheese salad is a retro dish that has stood the test of time and remains a favorite among many.

Goat Cheese Salad with Crispy Discs

This salad includes crisp disks of goat cheese, providing a delightful contrast of textures. The buttery pecans and a creamy vinaigrette made with walnut oil, red wine vinegar, egg yolks, honey, and Dijon mustard elevate the flavors. This salad is a true crowd-pleaser and is perfect for dinner parties or special occasions.

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Appetizers and starters

Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of appetizers and starters. Its tangy, earthy flavor and creamy texture make it a great addition to many dishes. Here are some ideas for appetizers and starters using goat cheese:

Crostini

Crostini, which means "little toasts" in Italian, is a simple and delicious appetizer that can be made with goat cheese. To make this dish, slice a baguette or any long artisan loaf into thin pieces, grill or toast the slices, and then spread them with goat cheese. You can also mix the goat cheese with honey, thyme, and chopped pecans or walnuts for added flavor and texture. This appetizer can be served warm or at room temperature, making it ideal for entertaining.

Goat Cheese Dip

Another easy appetizer option is a goat cheese dip. To make this dish, simply spread goat cheese on a plate or bowl and drizzle it with olive oil. Then, warm some honey, fig jam, and balsamic vinegar in a pot over medium heat, whisking to combine. Drizzle the warmed mixture over the goat cheese and top with fresh thyme leaves and pecan pieces. Serve with crackers, crostini, or crunchy vegetables like carrots or celery.

Goat Cheese Pizza

For a heartier appetizer, you can make a mini prosciutto and goat cheese pizza. Start with your preferred flatbread, such as naan or lavash bread, and coat it with olive oil. Then, top it with shredded goat cheese and prosciutto. Bake it for about 10 minutes, and then add a balsamic glaze, fresh basil, and flaky sea salt to taste.

Stuffed Dates

Goat cheese-stuffed dates are another unique and tasty appetizer option. To make these, stuff Medjool dates with goat cheese and wrap them in a fresh basil leaf and thin slice of prosciutto. Bake them until the cheese melts and the pork gets crispy. You can also add bacon and drizzle them with honey for an extra touch of sweetness.

Salads and Pastries

Goat cheese can also be used as a topping for salads or as a filling for pastries such as tarts, galettes, and quesadillas. It can be baked, fried, or spread, making it a versatile ingredient for appetizers and starters.

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Goat cheese pasta

Goat cheese, or Chevre, is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads, pastas, pizzas, and sandwiches. It is made from goat's milk and can range from a soft, spreadable texture to an aged, harder texture.

Now, here are some paragraphs focused on goat cheese pasta:

For a basic goat cheese pasta recipe, you will need: pasta of your choice, olive oil, onion, garlic, vegetable stock, goat cheese, and any desired add-ins such as tomatoes, spinach, or basil. Simply cook the pasta according to the package instructions. In a separate pan, heat olive oil and add your onion and garlic, and any other vegetables. Sauté until softened, then pour in your vegetable stock. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes. Stir in the goat cheese until smooth and creamy, and adjust the consistency with pasta water if needed. Finally, toss the sauce with your cooked pasta and serve.

To elevate your goat cheese pasta, consider adding lemon zest and juice for a zesty twist, or including dill for an herbaceous note. If you're a fan of spice, chilli flakes can be a great addition. For a heartier meal, proteins such as chicken or shrimp can be incorporated.

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Goat cheese pizza

Goat cheese, or cheese made from goat's milk, is a common ingredient in many recipes, including pizza. Here are some tips and recipes for making a delicious goat cheese pizza:

Dough and Baking:

The dough for a goat cheese pizza should be thin to avoid over-crisping. You can use traditional pizza dough or get creative with Indian naan bread or lavosh as a base. For a gluten-free option, gluten-free pizza dough is also available.

Bake your goat cheese pizza at a very high temperature; the highest your oven can go (around 250°C or higher) for a short time, about 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese and crust are nicely browned. If using a pizza oven, baking time is even shorter, about 1-2 minutes.

Sauce:

For a traditional red sauce pizza, a tangy tomato sauce pairs well with goat cheese. You can make a simple sauce by grating and breaking down a tomato into a sauce, then tossing it with garlic, salt, and pepper. Spread this sauce thinly over your dough before adding the toppings.

Alternatively, for a white pizza, substitute the red sauce with ricotta or crème fraîche. You can also omit the sauce and simply drizzle olive oil on the dough.

Toppings:

Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be paired with various toppings. Here are some popular combinations:

  • Caramelized Shallot and Bacon: Top your pizza with fresh summer tomatoes, tangy goat cheese, crisp bacon, basil, mozzarella, and sweet and delicious caramelized shallots. Add some thyme and chili flakes for extra flavour.
  • Fig and Bacon: Spread fig preserves over the dough, then add tomatoes, goat cheese, basil, mozzarella, and bacon. This combination of salty and sweet flavours is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
  • Caramelized Onions: For a pizza bianco, make a sauce with Dijon mustard and cream, then add caramelized onions and chunks of goat cheese. After baking, top with arugula, a drizzle of balsamic, and perhaps some honey.
  • Avocado and Bell Peppers: For a vegetarian option, top your pizza with avocado, bell peppers, goat cheese, and basil.
  • Prosciutto: Add prosciutto to the avocado and bell pepper pizza for a savoury flavour.
  • Arugula: Top your pizza with lightly dressed baby arugula for a refreshing twist.
  • Honey: Drizzle honey over your pizza for an unexpected flavour combination that complements the tomato and goat cheese.
  • Jam: Spread onion or fig jam over the dough for a sweet base, then add goat cheese and top with arugula and bacon.

Feel free to experiment with other toppings and create your own unique goat cheese pizza!

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Goat cheese desserts

Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dessert recipes, from cheesecakes to brownies. Here are some ideas for goat cheese desserts:

Goat Cheese Cheesecakes

Cheesecake is a classic dessert that can be elevated with the addition of goat cheese. For a romantic dessert, try making individual goat cheese, honey, and pistachio mini cheesecakes with Meyer lemon cream. The combination of a salted pistachio crust and a creamy, tangy goat cheese filling creates a delicious contrast of flavours and textures. Alternatively, for a no-bake option, prepare a goat cheese cheesecake with a pretzel crust and a blueberry topping or nectarine compote.

Goat Cheese Mousse

Goat cheese mousse with roasted blueberries and pistachios is a simple yet elegant dessert that plays with different textures and flavours. It is easy to make and can be prepared by whisking together heavy cream and sugar until stiff peaks form. Then, simply fold in the goat cheese and top with roasted blueberries and pistachios.

Goat Cheese Brownies

For a unique twist on a classic dessert, try making goat cheese brownies. These decadent treats are chocolatey, frosted, and glazed, with the added creaminess and tang of goat cheese.

Other Goat Cheese Dessert Ideas

  • Goat cheese can also be used to make DIY donuts, fruit pizzas, or crostini topped with a fruity red wine caramel syrup.
  • For a refreshing dessert, try a blueberry vanilla goat cheese pudding topped with fresh berries.
  • Gateau Breton, a classic French butter cake, can be layered with apple filling and topped with whipped apple cinnamon goat cheese.
Cheese Options for a Perfect Lasagna

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Frequently asked questions

Goat cheese can be used to make a mousse, fritters, or a salad with warm, panko-crusted goat cheese rounds.

Goat cheese is often used in pasta dishes, sandwiches, and pizzas. It can also be used to make a creamy sauce for pasta with mushrooms and leeks.

Goat cheese is used in cheesecakes, adding a savoury element to the dessert. It can also be blended with vanilla custard and lemon juice for a tangy, creamy pudding.

Goat cheese is versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, including soups, risottos, and quick breads. It can also be grilled with corn husks and served with a corn relish.

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