Goat Cheese Companions: Exploring Perfect Cheese Pairings

Goat cheese is a popular option for those who are lactose intolerant. It is made from goat's milk, which has shorter fatty acid chains, resulting in a more flavoursome and distinctive taste. The cheese is usually creamy, soft, and spreadable, with a tangy and earthy flavour. When it comes to pairing goat cheese with other cheeses, there are several options to consider. For a sweet and savoury combination, nuts such as walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, and macadamia nuts go well with goat cheese. In terms of other cheeses, soft-ripened goat cheeses with a gooey exterior complement each other well. Additionally, goat cheese can be paired with other ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices to create a diverse range of flavours and textures.

Goat cheese and honey

Selecting the Right Honey

The type of honey you choose can make a difference in taste. While any honey will work, some varieties, such as chestnut honey, can add depth and a savoury, earthy note to the dish. If you're feeling adventurous, try pairing your goat cheese with a unique honey like lavender honey for a richly aromatic experience.

Preparing the Goat Cheese

If you're using a log of goat cheese, consider slicing it into thick rounds or shaping it into quenelles using two soup spoons. Quenelles give your dish a smooth, football-like shape and make for an elegant presentation. You can also try whipping the goat cheese with a small amount of honey to create a light and creamy texture that pairs beautifully with fresh berries, mint, or pistachios.

Serving Suggestions

• Spread the goat cheese on toasted baguette slices or crostini, drizzled with honey, and sprinkled with chopped hazelnuts or pistachios.
• For a simple yet impressive appetiser, serve baked goat cheese drizzled with honey, sprinkled with fresh thyme, cracked pepper, and sea salt, alongside warm grilled bread.
• Create a stunning cheese board with goat cheese, honeycomb, thyme, and black sesame seeds.
• For a unique twist, try whipping goat cheese with honey and maple syrup, then spreading it on warm pumpkin or banana bread.
• If you're feeling indulgent, drizzle honey over fried goat cheese balls for a rich and tasty treat.

Pairing with Other Ingredients

• Nuts: Walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, or a mixture of chopped nuts add crunch and visual appeal to your dish.
• Fruits: Fresh, seasonal fruits like peaches, apricots, red berries, apples, or pears can complement the flavours of goat cheese and honey.
• Conserves: Pair goat cheese with sweet conserves like fig or raspberry for a delightful combination.
• Bread: Multigrain bread or nutty bread varieties such as walnut or raisin bread go well with the sweet and savoury flavours of goat cheese and honey.

With its versatility and ability to elevate any dish, the combination of goat cheese and honey is sure to impress your guests or simply satisfy your own taste buds.

Goat cheese and fruit

When it comes to choosing the right fruits to go with goat cheese, seasonal produce is always a good option. In the summer, think fresh berries like strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries. These berries not only taste great with goat cheese but also provide a vibrant pop of colour. For a summer fruit salad, you can also add cherries and peaches to the mix. The sweetness of these fruits pairs beautifully with the tangy goat cheese.

As the season transitions to autumn, opt for fruits like apples, pears, figs, and grapes. These heartier fruits go well with the more intense flavour of aged goat cheese. You can even try poaching or caramelising apples and pears to create a delicious contrast of textures and flavours.

Another way to elevate the combination of goat cheese and fruit is by adding a drizzle of honey. Honey adds a touch of sweetness and makes the goat cheese even more creamy and spreadable. You can also experiment with different types of honey, such as acacia honey for a milder flavour or chestnut honey for a richer, more aromatic experience.

When creating appetisers or salads with goat cheese and fruit, consider using a variety of breads as a base. Toasted baguette slices, crostini, or even nutty breads like walnut bread or raisin bread can provide a crunchy texture and enhance the flavours. You can also top the bread with herbs like basil or thyme to add another layer of flavour.

So, whether you're hosting a dinner party or enjoying a relaxing picnic, goat cheese and fruit is a versatile combination that is sure to impress. With its balance of sweet and savoury flavours and a range of textures, it's a perfect way to treat yourself and your guests.

Goat cheese and nuts

Goat's cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, both sweet and savoury. Nuts are a classic partner for cheese, adding a decorative and crunchy element to a dish.

For a simple, yet impressive, hors d'oeuvre, try a goat's cheese crostini with honey, pecans, and fresh thyme. The creamy goat's cheese pairs beautifully with the sweetness of honey and the crunch of the pecans, while the thyme adds a fresh herbal touch. This recipe is a breeze to make and is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

For a heartier dish, try a roasted butternut squash with goat's cheese, tossed with toasted walnuts, pomegranate seeds, and fresh rosemary. The subtle sweetness of the roasted squash pairs well with the creamy goat's cheese, the tart pomegranate, and the crunchy walnuts. This dish is perfect for holiday gatherings or weeknight meals.

If you're looking for something more indulgent, try making a goat's cheese pizza with caramelised onions, drizzled with honey, and topped with pine nuts and fresh arugula. The sweetness of the honey and the crunch of the pine nuts complement the creamy goat's cheese and the tanginess of the caramelised onions perfectly.

Goat's cheese also works well in salads. Try a baby spinach salad with goat's cheese, candied walnuts, and dried cranberries, dressed with a raspberry vinaigrette. Or, for a more savoury option, a romaine salad with sliced, pan-fried goat's cheese, croutons, and a vinaigrette dressing.

For a sweet treat, spread some goat's cheese on toast and top it with sliced pears, crispy pancetta, and a drizzle of honey. The sweetness of the pear and honey pairs beautifully with the salty, crispy pancetta and the tangy goat's cheese.

So, whether you're looking for a simple appetiser, a hearty main course, or a sweet treat, the combination of goat's cheese and nuts is a delicious and versatile option.

Goat cheese and meat

Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used to enhance the flavour of meat in a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas for combining goat cheese and meat:

Hamburgers

Ground beef hamburgers can be taken to the next level by adding goat cheese and other ingredients such as mustard, caramelised onions, or Greek-inspired toppings like cucumber and olive oil.

Salads

Goat cheese can be added to a variety of meat-based salads. For example, an autumn-inspired salad could include apple, ham, and goat cheese, while another salad could feature arugula, tomatoes, and herbed tenderloin steaks. Other salad ideas include combining goat cheese with roasted beets, or with spinach, shrimp, and bacon.

Sandwiches

Goat cheese can add a tangy flavour to sandwiches. Try it with roasted vegetables and mushrooms, or with ham, eggplant, and sun-dried tomatoes.

Pasta

Goat cheese can be mixed into a rich tomato sauce and stirred into freshly cooked pasta for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. This dish can be made with ground beef, or with alternative proteins like ground chicken, turkey, pork, or plant-based meat crumbles.

Appetisers

Goat cheese can be used to make a variety of appetisers, such as crostini, bruschetta, or stuffed dates. For a warm appetiser, try baking goat cheese in marinara sauce and serving it with crusty bread.

These are just a few ideas for combining goat cheese and meat. Whether used as a topping, a sauce, or a stuffing, goat cheese can add a creamy texture and tangy flavour to a variety of meat dishes.

Goat cheese and vegetables

Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads, sandwiches, pizzas, and more. Here are some ideas for combining goat cheese and vegetables:

Salads

Goat cheese can be a delicious addition to salads, providing a creamy texture and tangy flavour. Try crumbling goat cheese over a bed of mixed greens, spinach, or arugula. Add in some walnuts, pecans, or candied walnuts, dried cranberries or fresh seasonal fruits like sliced peaches, apricots, nectarines, red berries, apples, or pears. For a more savoury salad, combine goat cheese with roasted vegetables such as bell peppers, asparagus, squash, zucchini, eggplant, mushrooms, and onions. You can also add grilled chicken or shrimp to make it a heartier meal.

Sandwiches and Wraps

Create a roasted vegetable sandwich by spreading a mixture of goat cheese, black pepper, and basil on bread and filling it with roasted vegetables such as asparagus, bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms. You can also add grilled chicken or eggplant to the sandwich for extra flavour and texture. Another option is to make a wrap with goat cheese, pepper jelly, and grilled vegetables.

Pizzas

Goat cheese can be a tasty topping for pizzas, especially when paired with other ingredients like caramelized onions, honey, pine nuts, arugula, and a balsamic reduction. You can also experiment with different types of crusts, such as sourdough or thin crust.

Appetizers and Snacks

Goat cheese can be a great component of appetizers and snacks. Try making crostini or crackers topped with goat cheese and honey, or stuffed peppers filled with goat cheese and honey. You can also make fried goat cheese balls or bake goat cheese until melted and serve it with bread or crackers for dipping.

Other Ideas

• Goat cheese can be added to scrambled eggs or omelettes, providing a creamy texture and savoury flavour.
• Make a goat cheese pasta by mixing goat cheese with roasted vegetables like acorn squash and leeks, or creating a creamy sauce with mushrooms and leeks.
• Spread goat cheese on toast and top it with jam, honey, or fresh fruits like sliced peaches or apricots.
• Make crepes filled with roasted vegetables and goat cheese for a savoury twist on a classic dish.
• Goat cheese can also be used in grilled cheese sandwiches, providing a unique flavour and texture.

These are just a few ideas to get you started, but the possibilities are endless when combining goat cheese and vegetables!

Frequently asked questions