Andy Montoya
Blueberry goat cheese is a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, snack, or even a sweet breakfast treat. It pairs well with crackers, crostini, and toast, and can be used as a dip or spread. The combination of sweet and tangy flavours from the blueberries and goat's cheese creates a delicious contrast that can be further enhanced by adding honey, thyme, or vanilla extract. This dish is not only tasty but also visually appealing, with stark white cheese and vibrant blueberry swirls. It can be served at parties, dinners, or even as an elegant dish for a potluck.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Appetizer, snack, salad topping, dessert |
| Texture | Spreadable, soft, creamy |
| Taste | Sweet, tangy, savoury |
| Colour | Purple, blue, lavender, white |
| Ingredients | Goat's cheese, blueberries, honey, thyme, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, maple syrup, salt |
| Accompaniments | Crackers, crostini, pita chips, crusty bread, toast, bagels, lemon cookies, lemon ice cream, fig and olive crisps, French toast, salads |
| Drinks | Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc |
| Occasions | Dinner parties, summer brunch, afternoon snack, cocktail parties, movie nights, potlucks |
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What You'll Learn
Blueberry goat cheese log
Ingredients
- Goat cheese log
- Blueberry compote
- Honey
- Thyme
- Crackers, crostini, or toast
Method
Start by making the blueberry compote. In a pot, add blueberries, lemon zest and juice, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, thyme leaves, and salt. Heat over medium to medium-high heat, stirring often. After 5 minutes, the blueberries will begin to shrink and release their juices. Continue cooking for a total of 8-10 minutes, until the mixture has thickened and darkened. Allow the compote to cool completely.
Next, prepare the goat cheese log. Place two pieces of 15-inch-long plastic wrap in a plus sign formation on a flat surface. Add the softened goat cheese to the center of the horizontal piece and form it into a log shape. Wrap the cheese with the horizontal piece of plastic wrap, then reinforce the shape with the vertical piece. Twist both ends to seal.
Chill the goat cheese log in the refrigerator for at least an hour, or up to a week, to help the blueberry compote blend into the cheese. You can also freeze the log for up to 3 months. Before serving, allow the log to come to room temperature and garnish with extra thyme.
Serve the blueberry goat cheese log with your favorite crackers, crostini, or toast. It can be enjoyed as a dip, spread, or crumbled over a salad.
Variations
You can experiment with different types of berries, such as raspberries, strawberries, or blackberries. For a sweeter log, replace the balsamic vinegar with vanilla extract, use orange instead of lemon, and double the amount of blueberry compote. You can even stuff it into crepes, grilled cheese sandwiches, or French toast for a unique savory-sweet treat.
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Blueberry goat cheese crostini
To make this delicious appetizer, start by preparing the blueberry topping. In a small pot, add blueberries, honey or agave nectar, and balsamic vinegar. Simmer over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes until the blueberries start to burst. Remove from the heat and let the mixture cool completely. If you are short on time, you can place it in the fridge to speed up the cooling process.
Next, prepare the crostini. Slice a baguette into 1/2-inch to 1-inch thick slices. Brush one side of each slice with olive oil and place them on a baking sheet. Toast the baguette slices in the oven at 400°Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes, flipping them after 5 minutes. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don't burn.
Now, it's time to assemble the crostini. Spread softened goat cheese onto each baguette slice. You can soften the cheese by letting it come to room temperature or by mixing in a small amount of milk. If you prefer a sweeter crostini, you can stir in some honey with the goat cheese. Top each crostini with a generous spoonful of the cooled blueberry mixture.
For the final touch, garnish each crostini with fresh thyme sprigs and perhaps some extra blueberries. You can also add a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of flaky salt to enhance the flavors. Serve the blueberry goat cheese crostini immediately to ensure the bread remains crisp. Enjoy!
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Blueberry goat cheese with crackers
Blueberry goat cheese is a versatile treat that can be served as an appetizer, a snack, or even a part of a summer brunch. It can be easily paired with crackers to make a delicious snack. Here are some ways to prepare and serve blueberry goat cheese with crackers:
Blueberry Goat Cheese Log:
This is a simple and elegant appetizer that can be made at home. Start by making a blueberry jam or compote with fresh or frozen blueberries, lemon zest and juice, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, thyme leaves, and salt. Cook this mixture over medium to medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until it thickens. Allow it to cool completely before adding it to the goat cheese to prevent melting. For the goat cheese, you can use a young log cheese or chevre, which is French for "goat". Cream cheese or fromage blanc can be used as substitutes, although they won't have the tangy flavour of goat milk. Once the jam and cheese are ready, follow these steps:
- Place plastic wrap on a flat surface, forming a plus sign with two pieces of 15-inch long plastic.
- Put the blueberry goat cheese mixture in the centre and use the plastic wrap to shape it into a log.
- Wrap the log with the plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 2-4 hours, or freeze for 30-45 minutes until firm.
- Bring the log to room temperature and serve it with crackers.
Blueberry Goat Cheese Crostini:
This is another easy-to-make appetizer that can be served as a snack or as part of a meal. To prepare the blueberry topping, mix blueberries, honey, and balsamic vinegar in a small pot. You can make this topping in advance and store it in the fridge. When ready to serve, follow these steps:
- Preheat the oven to a low broil.
- Slice a baguette into 1/2-inch thick slices and place them on a baking sheet.
- Drizzle the slices with olive oil and broil for 2-4 minutes until crisp.
- Stir softened goat cheese with honey and spread it on a plate or shallow bowl.
- Spoon the blueberry mixture over the cheese and top with fresh blueberries and thyme sprigs.
- Serve with crackers, crostini, pita chips, or crusty bread.
Pairings and Variations:
Blueberry goat cheese pairs well with various crackers, such as thin, crisp crackers studded with fruits and nuts, wafer crackers, or water crackers. For a sweeter option, try it with lemon cookies or lemon ice cream. You can also add hot honey or honey sauce to the cheese and crackers for an elevated flavour. If you're feeling creative, try making a charcuterie board with meats, nuts, fruits, crackers, and dips like honey or fig jam.
Blueberry goat cheese can also be used as a spread on toast, bagels, or brioche, or crumbled over a salad. You can even switch up the fruit—try it with raspberries, strawberries, or blackberries. For a sweeter log, replace the balsamic vinegar with vanilla extract, use orange instead of lemon, and double the blueberry compote.
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Blueberry goat cheese with honey
Blueberry Goat Cheese Log
This easy-to-make recipe involves creating a blueberry goat cheese log and sweetening it with honey. Start by making a blueberry sauce with blueberries, honey, lemon juice, vanilla, and salt. Microwave the ingredients until the blueberries start to expand and burst. Mash the berries to form a thick sauce, then chill the mixture. Next, cut the goat cheese into pieces and stir them into the blueberry sauce. Form the mixture into a log shape using plastic wrap, then refrigerate or freeze until firm. Serve the blueberry goat cheese log with crackers, crostini, or bread.
Blueberry Goat Cheese Crostini
To make this appetizer, start by stirring together softened goat cheese and honey. Spread this mixture onto a plate or shallow bowl. Prepare crostini by slicing a baguette into 1/2-inch slices, drizzling them with olive oil, and broiling until crisp. Spoon the goat cheese mixture onto the crostini and top with a blueberry mixture, fresh blueberries, and thyme sprigs.
Blueberry Goat Cheese with Thyme on Toast
Spread the blueberry goat cheese on crunchy thin toasts and top with fresh thyme leaves. Drizzle with hot honey sauce to create a simple yet elegant appetizer.
Blueberry Goat Cheese Sandwich
Create a savory-sweet snack by layering blueberry goat cheese and honey between slices of fresh brioche or bagel.
Blueberry Goat Cheese with Crackers
Spread the blueberry goat cheese on your favorite crackers and drizzle with honey. For added flavor, use thin, crisp crackers studded with fruits and nuts.
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Blueberry goat cheese salad
Blueberry goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in various dishes, and one of the most popular ways to use it is in a salad. Here is a recipe for a delicious and beautiful blueberry goat cheese salad that is perfect for any occasion, from a fancy brunch to a weeknight side dish.
Ingredients:
- Lettuce or baby spinach
- Blueberries (fresh or frozen)
- Goat cheese (plain or flavored with honey)
- Red onion
- Nuts (such as candied pecans, walnuts, almonds, or pine nuts)
- Basil balsamic vinaigrette or any other dressing of your choice
- Avocado (optional)
Instructions:
- Start by making the vinaigrette. Combine blueberries, balsamic vinegar, basil, and other desired ingredients in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth. Transfer the vinaigrette to a storage container and refrigerate until ready to use.
- If desired, toast the nuts in a skillet over medium-high heat. Stir frequently until they start to turn golden brown and become fragrant.
- On a large platter or in individual bowls, arrange the lettuce, crumble the goat cheese using a fork, and add the blueberries, red onion slices, and toasted nuts.
- Just before serving, drizzle the desired amount of vinaigrette over the salad and toss lightly.
- For a heartier salad, you can add protein such as grilled chicken or hard-boiled eggs.
This blueberry goat cheese salad is a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and creamy. The combination of ingredients creates a delightful sensory experience, making it a refreshing and elegant dish to serve to your family and friends.
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Frequently asked questions
You can make a blueberry goat cheese log by mixing softened goat cheese with honey and a blueberry compote. Form the mixture into a log shape using plastic wrap, then chill in the fridge for at least an hour. Serve with crackers, crostini, pita chips, or crusty bread.
A Pinot Noir or Sauvignon Blanc is recommended to balance the sweet and tangy flavours of the blueberries and cheese.
Blueberry goat cheese can be used as a spread on toast, crumbled over a salad, or stuffed into crepes or grilled cheese sandwiches. It can also be used as a dip for crackers.
Fresh thyme is a popular garnish for blueberry goat cheese, adding a pop of green colour and a complementary flavour. Honey is also a good addition, especially drizzled over the cheese on crunchy toast.
If you're looking for a similar cheese, you can try cream cheese or fromage blanc. For a different flavour, goat cheese also pairs well with other berries such as raspberries, strawberries, or blackberries.
