Patrick Oconnell
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to pastas to desserts. Its tangy, creamy texture and flavour can be used to elevate a simple dish or add depth to a complex one. Goat cheese can be used in a variety of ways, such as crumbled on top of a salad, melted into a sauce for pasta, or baked into a cheesecake. With its unique flavour and texture, goat cheese is a great option for those looking to add something special to their meals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Goat Cheese Characteristics | Earthy, buttery, tangy, creamy |
| Goat Cheese Uses | Salads, crackers, baking, eggs, pasta, soups, desserts, dips, quesadillas, omelets, appetizers, charcuterie boards |
| Goat Cheese Pairings | Honey, nuts, cranberries, herbs, spinach, walnuts, vinaigrette, phyllo dough, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, basil, parsley, lemon, garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, beet, carrots, beet greens, arugula, green apples, pears, pumpkin seeds, broccoli, shallots, chives, dill, parsley, chives, nectarines, cilantro, mushrooms, chicken, sausage links, feta, panko crumbs, green beans, almonds, fettuccine, Parmesan, milk, pimentón de la Vera, onion, Greek yogurt, cinnamon sugar, jam, sumac, coriander, ratatouille, cucumbers, scallions, cheddar, cream cheese, mascarpone, pecans, kalamata olives, sourdough, bacon, rice, maple syrup, pomegranate seeds, portobello mushrooms, sour cream, egg noodles |
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What You'll Learn
Goat cheese in salads
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of salads. Its creamy texture and tangy flavour make it a great addition to many dishes. Here are some ways to incorporate goat cheese into your salads:
Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad
Roasted beets and goat cheese is a classic combination. This salad can be made by roasting beets, carrots, and beet greens, then tossing them with a simple dressing made by whisking together vinegar, oil, and goat cheese. The warmth of the roasted vegetables helps melt the goat cheese, creating a creamy and tangy dressing.
Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese and Walnuts
This salad combines the earthiness of spinach with the creaminess of goat cheese and the crunch of walnuts. A homemade vinaigrette can be drizzled over the salad to bring all the flavours together.
Arugula, Asian Pear, and Goat Cheese Salad
This salad is a perfect mix of bitter arugula, sweet Asian pear, tangy lemon dressing, and creamy goat cheese. Pumpkin seeds are added for a crunchy texture. If Asian pears are not available, green apples or Bosc pears can be used instead.
Baked Goat Cheese Salad
In this salad, goat cheese is breaded and baked until crispy on the outside, then served warm over a bed of greens. This adds a contrast of temperatures and textures to the salad.
Goat Cheese and Chicken Skillet Salad
A hearty salad can be made by combining goat cheese and chicken in a skillet with your choice of vegetables. Caramelized onion jam or leeks can be used as a base, and the goat cheese will melt slightly, creating a creamy texture.
Goat cheese is a delicious and versatile ingredient that can elevate a simple salad. Its creamy texture and tangy flavour profile make it a perfect addition to a variety of dishes.
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Goat cheese in pasta
Goat cheese is a deliciously creamy addition to pasta dishes. It lends a tangy, complex flavour and a rich, velvety texture.
A simple goat cheese pasta can be made by creating a creamy sauce with butter, garlic, lemon zest and juice, cream, herbs, salt, and pepper. Stir in the goat cheese until smooth and creamy, and toss with the cooked pasta. You can also add Parmesan cheese and pasta water to thin out the sauce. This sauce works well with small pasta shapes like rotini, farfalle, shells, macaroni, rigatoni, fusilli, and mafalda, but can also be used with long pasta shapes like linguini, fettuccine, and spaghetti.
For a tomato goat cheese pasta, sauté onions and garlic in a saucepan, add crushed or finely chopped tomatoes, and stir in the goat cheese, basil, and pasta water until smooth and creamy. You can also add salt and pepper to taste. This sauce is best served with penne, but any pasta variety can be used.
For a heartier meal, try a caramelized mushroom and goat cheese pasta. Sauté sliced mushrooms, shallots, garlic, and herbs in a large pan with olive oil, butter, and Worcestershire sauce. When the mushrooms are deeply brown and the shallots are caramelized, stir in the goat cheese and add a splash of pasta water to create a creamy sauce. This recipe is perfect for mushroom lovers and is sure to be a cozy, comforting meal.
Goat cheese can also be used as a topping for homemade pizza or stuffed into mini peppers with pecans and honey for a sweet treat or scallions and cheddar for a savoury snack. It can be added to quiches, scrambled eggs, or baked into a cheesecake for dessert.
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Goat cheese in eggs
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of egg dishes. Here are some ideas for incorporating goat cheese into your egg-based meals:
Scrambled Eggs
Goat cheese is a fantastic addition to scrambled eggs, giving them a tangy, creamy texture. To make creamy scrambled eggs with goat cheese, start by whisking together eggs, milk, salt, and pepper in a bowl. You can also add chopped fresh herbs such as chives, parsley, or green onions for extra flavour. Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat and pour in the egg mixture. Continuously stir the eggs with a spatula until they are clumpy but still slightly wet. When the eggs are almost done, add the goat cheese and gently stir to combine. Season with additional salt and pepper, if desired. Serve immediately with toast and a simple side salad.
Quiche
Goat cheese quiche is a delicious brunch option. To make a savoury quiche, sprinkle spinach and crumbled goat cheese in a pie shell. You can also add bacon and any desired seasonings. In a separate bowl, mix together eggs and milk, and pour this mixture over the ingredients in the pie shell. Bake in the oven at 375°F for 45 minutes to an hour.
Cheesecake
Goat cheese can be baked into a cheesecake for a unique dessert option. Chef Anne Burrell shares her tangy twist on a traditional cheesecake, while Chicago pastry chef Dana Cree blends vanilla custard with goat cheese and lemon juice for a creamy, tangy pudding.
Omelette
For a reverse omelette, try making scrambled eggs and topping them with a goat cheese sauce, a drizzle of olive oil, and fresh rosemary.
Frittata
Frittatas are a great make-ahead, meal-prep option and can be made in the oven or on the stovetop. Try adding goat cheese to your frittata for a creamy, tangy twist.
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Goat cheese in desserts
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including desserts. Here are some ideas for incorporating goat cheese into sweet treats:
Goat Cheese Cheesecake
A twist on the classic cheesecake, goat cheese adds a soft and mellow tang to this dessert. For a romantic dessert, try making individual goat cheese, honey, and pistachio mini cheesecakes with Meyer lemon cream. The pistachio crust provides a crisp and nutty contrast to the creamy, tangy filling. The honey adds a touch of sweetness, while the Meyer lemon cream provides a bright, tart glaze. This dessert is sure to impress and can be made even more special with candied pistachios.
Goat Cheese Mousse with Roasted Blueberries
This dessert is a play on textures, combining the creamy mousse, fruity roasted blueberries, and the crunch of pistachios. To make the mousse, simply whisk heavy cream and sugar until stiff peaks form. Then, combine with goat cheese and top with roasted blueberries and pistachios. For an extra touch of sweetness, drizzle honey over the blueberries.
Goat Cheese Pudding
A unique and creamy dessert, goat cheese pudding is a twist on traditional pudding. To make this dessert, start by making a vanilla custard. After cooking the custard, blend it with soft goat cheese and a touch of lemon juice for a tangy, creamy result. Serve the pudding chilled and top with fresh raspberries and a drizzle of honey.
Goat Cheese with Fruit and Crackers
For a simple yet elegant dessert, assemble a fruit and cheese platter with goat cheese, homemade English oat crackers, and fig preserves. The combination of sweet and savory flavors will delight your taste buds.
Goat Cheese Balls
A sweet take on a savory classic, goat cheese balls are a delicious dessert option. To make these, combine chopped toasted pecans, cranberries, honey, and goat cheese. Roll the mixture into balls and coat them in cranberries and pecans. These sweet and savory treats can be served as a unique dessert option.
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Goat cheese in appetizers
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in appetizers, mains, and desserts. Its tangy, creamy texture and flavor can be used to make a variety of dishes, from salads to pasta.
One simple way to use goat cheese as an appetizer is to slice it into disks and roll it into balls. You can then coat these balls in a mixture of nuts, cranberries, and a touch of sugar. These goat cheese balls can be served as an appetizer at your next get-together or brought as a side to a potluck.
Another option is to make a goat cheese log. This can be done by mixing two kinds of cheese with sweet and crunchy toppings, such as nuts and cranberries, and then forming it into a log shape. This can also be served as an appetizer or side dish.
Goat cheese can also be used as a topping for salads or crackers. For example, you can make a spinach salad with walnuts, a vinaigrette dressing, and crumbled goat cheese on top. You can also serve goat cheese with honey-drizzled, warm roasted beets, carrots, and beet greens, or with arugula, Asian pear or green apple, lemon dressing, and pumpkin seeds.
If you're looking for something more substantial, you can make goat cheese stuffed mini peppers. You can fill these with pecans and honey for a sweet option, or scallions and cheddar for a savory choice.
Goat cheese also works well in a quiche or omelet, where it can be balanced out by the eggs. You can also try making quesadillas with goat cheese and sprinkling them with fresh cilantro.
Finally, goat cheese can be used as a dip. For example, you can mix it with kalamata olives, garlic, dill, and good olive oil, and serve it with a side of chunky bread or crackers.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some simple recipes that use goat cheese:
- Goat cheese pasta
- Goat cheese omelet
- Goat cheese salad
- Goat cheese balls
Goat cheese is a great addition to breakfast dishes. You can sprinkle it on top of eggs, add it to an omelet, or use it in a breakfast skillet with vegetables and chicken. You can also pair it with eggs for breakfast, as suggested in one source.
You can use goat cheese to make a tangy cheesecake for dessert. You can also make a unique, creamy pudding by blending vanilla custard with goat cheese and a touch of lemon juice.
There are a variety of appetizers you can make with goat cheese, including quesadillas, goat cheese logs, and crostini. You can also make stuffed mini peppers with pecans and honey for something sweet, or scallions and cheddar for something savory.
