Goat Cheese And Meat: Perfect Pairings

Goat cheese, or chèvre, is a popular choice for those who are lactose intolerant. It is made from goat's milk, which has shorter fatty acid chains, giving it a more distinctive taste. When it comes to meat, goat cheese pairs well with beef and steak. You can make a beef and goat cheese sandwich or try herbed tenderloin steaks with goat cheese topping. If you're feeling creative, you can even make a goat cheese butter to spread on your steak. For a lighter option, goat cheese also goes well with prosciutto and smoked salmon.

Goat cheese with beef

Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of beef dishes, from sandwiches to steaks to pasta. Here are some ideas for combining goat cheese with beef:

Beef and Goat Cheese Sandwiches

For a quick and easy option, try making beef and goat cheese sandwiches. You can use leftover grilled beef, such as tri-tip, and slice it thinly. Toast some crusty country bread, spread on some soft, fresh goat cheese, and top with the beef and other ingredients like roasted red bell peppers. Broil the open-faced sandwiches for about a minute, until the beef is warmed through, and then drizzle with balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with fresh basil before serving.

Steak with Goat Cheese Butter

Another option is to prepare a steak with goat cheese butter. Brush a flank steak or flat iron steak with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill or cook the steak to your desired doneness. While the steak rests, make the goat cheese butter by mixing softened butter, goat cheese, garlic paste, and fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and basil. Slice the steak against the grain and top it with the goat cheese butter. Serve with bread or rolls to spread the extra butter on.

Herbed Tenderloin Steaks with Goat Cheese Topping

For a more elegant dish, try herbed tenderloin steaks with goat cheese topping. Season beef tenderloin steaks with thyme and garlic. Cook the steaks to your desired doneness. Combine goat cheese with basil and top the cooked steaks with this mixture. Serve with arugula and tomatoes for a light and tasty meal.

Creamy Goat Cheese Pasta with Beef

For a heartier option, try a creamy goat cheese pasta with beef. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. In a separate pan, brown some ground beef and set it aside. In the same pan, sauté onions, garlic, and bell peppers until softened. Add the ground beef back to the pan along with passata (strained and crushed tomatoes) and goat cheese. Stir everything together until the goat cheese melts, and then mix in the cooked pasta. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Goat cheese with steak

Steak and goat's cheese is a delicious combination and there are a few ways to serve it.

Herbed Tenderloin Steaks with Goat Cheese Topping

For this recipe, you will need:

• 4 beef tenderloin steaks, cut 1 inch thick (about 5 ounces each)
• 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh basil
• 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh thyme
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• Arugula and tomatoes (optional)
• Salt

Start by combining the goat cheese and basil in a small bowl and setting it aside. Then, press the thyme and garlic evenly onto the steaks and season with salt. Next, preheat a nonstick skillet over medium heat and cook the steaks for 10 to 13 minutes for medium-rare to medium doneness, turning occasionally. Finally, remove the steaks from the skillet and immediately top with the goat cheese mixture. You can serve the steaks with arugula and tomatoes on the side for a light meal.

Steak with Goat Cheese Butter

This recipe is a quick and delicious dinner idea, and you can use any cut of steak. For a flank steak or flat iron steak, follow these instructions:

• Brush both sides of the steak with olive oil and season with kosher salt and pepper.
• Preheat your grill or a large skillet to medium-high heat and cook the steak for 4 to 6 minutes per side, depending on your preferred doneness and the thickness of the steak.
• While the steak rests, make the goat cheese butter by mixing room-temperature butter, goat cheese, garlic paste, fresh chopped herbs (such as thyme, rosemary, and basil), kosher salt, and pepper in a bowl. You can use a hand mixer for this step.
• Slice the steak against the grain and top with the goat cheese butter.

Grilled Steak with Goat's Cheese

This recipe is perfect for a summer barbecue. You will need:

• 4 fillet or ribeye steaks, 200g each, approx. 2 cm thick
• 400g cherry tomatoes
• 12 sprigs of thyme
• 4 slices of goat's cheese
• Oil
• Salt and pepper

Start by seasoning the steaks on both sides with salt and pepper. Next, wash the cherry tomatoes, toss them in oil, and season with salt and pepper. Clean the thyme sprigs and chop the leaves roughly. Prepare your barbecue for direct heat at approximately 225°C. Barbecue the steaks over direct heat for 3 minutes, then turn them over and place a slice of goat's cheese on each steak. Sprinkle with thyme and cook for another 3 minutes. The steaks are ready when the core temperature reaches 58°C (medium-rare). Finally, put the cherry tomatoes on the grate for a couple of minutes until warmed through, then remove the steaks and tomatoes and let the meat rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Pan-Roasted Steak with Caramelized Onions and Goat Cheese

This indulgent dish is perfect for a date night or special occasion. You will need:

• 2, 12oz New York Strip steaks, cut 1-1/4” thick
• 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
• 2 sweet onions, thinly sliced
• Coarse ground salt and pepper or steak seasoning
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 2 ounces of softened goat cheese

Start by heating the olive oil in a large, oven-proof skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté until caramelized and slightly seared, stirring occasionally, for 30-40 minutes. Adjust the heat as needed to prevent burning. Once the onions are done, scoop them into a bowl and set aside. Next, trim the excess fat off the steaks and season one side generously with salt and pepper or steak seasoning. Turn the heat under the skillet up to just below high, add the butter, and allow it to melt. Add the steaks to the skillet, seasoned-side down, and season the top sides. Sear the steaks for 2 minutes, or until a golden brown crust forms, then flip and transfer the skillet to the oven for 6 minutes for medium doneness. Finally, transfer the steaks to a cutting board and let them rest for 8-10 minutes before thinly slicing against the grain. Serve topped with the caramelized onions, softened goat cheese, and a drizzle of browned butter from the skillet.

Goat cheese with cured meats

Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be paired with various cured meats to create delicious dishes. The tanginess and creaminess of goat cheese complement the savoury, fatty flavours of cured meats, making them a perfect match. Here are some ideas and tips for combining goat cheese with cured meats:

Types of Cured Meats

When it comes to cured meats, you have a variety of options to choose from. Dry-cured, hard sausages such as sopressata or finocchiona are excellent choices to pair with goat cheese. Whole muscle cuts like prosciutto, capacollla, or country hams are also great options. If you're feeling adventurous, explore options like bresaola, which is made from beef, or even dry-cured leg of goat, known as Violina di Capra.

Creating the Perfect Pairing

When pairing goat cheese with cured meats, it's essential to consider the contrast in flavours and textures. Fresh goat cheese, with its creamy texture and tangy flavour, pairs beautifully with thinly sliced, high-fat, dry-cured sausages. Ripened goat cheeses, which are denser and less tart, can be matched with sweeter and less salty cured meats like Kentucky ham or smoked salmon. Aged goat cheeses, which are firmer in texture, go well with spicy salumi or softer country pâtés.

Serving Suggestions

When serving goat cheese and cured meats, it's best to keep things simple yet elegant. Allow the cheeses to be the centerpiece of the dish and choose complementary meats. Cut the cheeses into bite-sized wedges, and don't forget to let them come to room temperature before serving for the best flavour and texture. Serve them with crusty bread, fresh or grilled vegetables, and condiments such as fruit compotes, honey, or spiced nuts.

Recipes to Try

If you're looking for specific dish ideas, here are a few suggestions:

• Beef & Goat Cheese Sandwiches: Spread goat cheese on toasted crusty bread, top it with roasted red bell peppers and sliced beef, and drizzle with balsamic vinegar.
• Herbed Tenderloin Steaks with Goat Cheese Topping: Season and grill the steaks to your desired doneness, then top them with a mixture of goat cheese, basil, thyme, and garlic.
• Steak with Goat Cheese Butter: Create a compound butter by mixing goat cheese, butter, garlic paste, and fresh herbs. Grill or pan-sear your steak to your liking, then top it with the goat cheese butter and serve with bread to soak up all the delicious juices.

So, the next time you're looking to impress your guests or simply want to indulge in a delicious meal, consider combining goat cheese with cured meats. With its unique flavour and texture, goat cheese will elevate your charcuterie board or dish to a whole new level.

Goat cheese with chicken

Goat cheese and chicken is a flavourful combination that can be prepared in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas for dishes that incorporate these two ingredients:

Goat Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Breasts

For this recipe, chicken breasts are stuffed with a mixture of goat cheese, pepperoncini, and thyme. The chicken is first seared in a skillet before being transferred to the oven to finish cooking. This results in a crispy skin and a juicy, flavourful interior. The goat cheese filling adds moisture to the chicken, making it irresistibly tender.

Balsamic Goat Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Breasts

This variation involves stuffing chicken breasts with goat cheese and a balsamic vinegar reduction. The chicken is then baked in the oven until cooked through. The balsamic vinegar adds a tangy sweetness to the dish, complementing the creaminess of the goat cheese.

Sun-Dried Tomato Goat Cheese Chicken

This recipe is inspired by the Chicken Bryan dish from Carrabba's Italian Grill. It features chicken breasts sautéed and topped with goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, and garlic. The original dish includes a creamy lemon butter sauce, but a lighter version can be made by simmering the chicken in lemon juice and chicken stock. This dish is quick and easy to prepare, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Tips and Variations

When preparing goat cheese-stuffed chicken breasts, it is recommended to use bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts for the best flavour and moisture. However, boneless and skinless chicken breasts can also be used with the addition of olive oil. The filling can also be customised with various add-ins, such as roasted red bell peppers, nuts, or different herbs like rosemary or parsley.

For a complete meal, these goat cheese and chicken dishes can be served with a variety of sides, such as baked sweet potatoes, creamy cucumber salad, garlic roasted potatoes, or air fryer Brussels sprouts.

Goat cheese with lamb

Goat cheese and lamb is a combination that works well for a variety of dishes, from lamb chops to boneless leg of lamb. The rich, unique flavour of lamb is enhanced by the addition of goat cheese, resulting in a savory and exquisite meal.

Grilled Lamb Chops with Herb Goat Cheese Sauce

This recipe is perfect for a quick, elegant dinner party or a simple weeknight meal. The lamb chops are marinated in balsamic vinaigrette for a few hours or overnight, absorbing the sweet and tangy flavours. They are then grilled to perfection and served with a creamy herb goat cheese sauce made with plain Greek yogurt, garlic and herb goat cheese, honey, and apple cider vinegar. The sauce is prepared by blending all the ingredients until smooth, creating a tangy and slightly sweet complement to the lamb.

Seared Lamb Chops with Goat Cheese White Wine Reduction

For a delightful weekend dinner for two or an elegant dinner party, this recipe delivers a delicious meal with minimal effort. The lamb chops are seasoned with sea salt and pepper, then seared to perfection in a cast-iron skillet. The addition of rosemary enhances the flavour, and the chops are then transferred to the oven to broil. A white wine reduction sauce is created by deglazing the skillet with a crisp white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc, and adding chicken broth and rosemary. The goat cheese is swirled into the sauce, creating a creamy complement to the lamb chops.

Boneless Leg of Lamb with Herbed Goat Cheese

This recipe showcases the perfect combination of lamb and goat cheese, resulting in a rich and flavourful meal. The boneless leg of lamb is seasoned with salt and pepper and filled with a mouthwatering mixture of goat cheese, garlic, parsley, rosemary, and dried cranberries. The lamb is then tied securely to keep the goat cheese mixture intact and cooked to perfection in the oven. This dish is an excellent choice for a special occasion, impressing your guests with its unique and savoury flavours.

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