Kamil Perry
Crumbled goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can add flavour and texture to a variety of dishes. It can be a challenge to crumble goat cheese, especially if it is very creamy, but there are several methods to achieve the desired result. Once crumbled, goat cheese can be used in recipes such as frittatas, salads, quiches, and casseroles, or even as a topping for roasted vegetables or a cherry tomato crumble.
What to do with crumbled goat cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dishes | Salads, frittatas, quiches, casseroles, roasted vegetables, crumbles |
| Flavour pairings | Eggs, smoked salmon, spring vegetables, spinach, mushrooms, herbs, cherry tomatoes, pine nuts, thyme, basil, oregano, rosemary, shallots, garlic, balsamic vinegar, zucchini, pomegranate seeds, steak, grilled strawberries |
| Tips for crumbling | Place in the freezer for 5-10 minutes, use a fork, cut with a knife, use your hands |
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What You'll Learn
How to crumble goat cheese
Crumbled goat cheese is a delicious addition to many dishes, from salads to quiches. However, crumbling goat cheese can be a tricky task due to its soft and creamy texture. Here are some tips to help you achieve the perfect crumbles:
Start with the Right Type of Goat Cheese:
Goat cheese, also known as chevre, comes in various textures, ranging from creamy to dry. For crumbling purposes, opt for a drier variety. Ask your local cheesemonger for recommendations if you're unsure.
Chill the Cheese:
The key to successful crumbling is to reduce the moisture content of the cheese. Place the goat cheese in the freezer for 5-10 minutes before crumbling. This will firm up the cheese and make it easier to crumble.
Use Utensils:
Avoid crumbling goat cheese with your hands, as the heat from your hands will melt the cheese. Instead, use a fork to break the cheese into small pieces. You can also cut the cheese into smaller pieces with a knife before crumbling.
Work with Gloves:
If you need to crumble the cheese with your hands, wear gloves. This will help to avoid transferring heat from your hands to the cheese. However, keep in mind that the cheese may still stick to the gloves due to its creaminess.
Use Waxed Paper:
If the goat cheese is very sticky, open it while it's still wrapped in its original packaging or place it on a piece of waxed paper, foil, or parchment paper. Cut it into small pieces, then invert the paper over your dish and scrape the cheese into it.
Try Drying the Cheese:
For a more long-term solution, you can try drying the goat cheese to reduce its moisture content. Wrap the cheese in cheesecloth and hang it in a cool, dry place for a few days. This method may require some trial and error to get the desired results.
With these tips in mind, you'll be able to create beautiful goat cheese crumbles to elevate your favourite dishes. Experiment with different varieties of goat cheese and find the one that crumbles just right for your culinary creations!
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Crumbled goat cheese on salads
Crumbled goat cheese is a great addition to salads. Its mild, slightly tart flavour and creamy texture can complement a variety of ingredients. For instance, a salad with juicy steak and sweet grilled strawberries can be topped with crumbled goat cheese. Another option is a salad with spinach, mushrooms, and fresh herbs.
If you want to make your own crumbled goat cheese, it is important to start with cold cheese, as it is firmer and easier to crumble. You can crumble the cheese by cutting it with a knife or using your hands. However, if the cheese is very sticky, you can cut it into small pieces, place them on a piece of foil or wax paper, and then scrape the cheese into the salad.
If you are using creamy goat cheese, you can try putting it in the freezer for 5-10 minutes to make it firmer and easier to crumble. Alternatively, you can try drying it in cheesecloth to remove some of the moisture.
Goat cheese crumbles are a delicious and versatile ingredient that can add a wonderful texture and flavour to your salads.
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Cherry tomato and goat cheese crumble
If you're looking for a light summer dish that is loaded with flavours, a cherry tomato and goat cheese crumble is a great option. This dish is a twist on the classic sweet crumble, with a lighter filling and a cheesy crust crumbled on top. Here's how you can make it:
Ingredients
For the filling:
- Cherry tomatoes
- Shallots or onions
- Pine nuts
- Olive oil
- Seasoning (salt, pepper, and herbs like thyme, basil, oregano, or rosemary)
For the crumble dough:
- All-purpose flour
- Unsalted butter
- Grated parmesan
- Salt
Method:
- Start by preparing the filling. Caramelize the shallots or onions in a skillet with olive oil. You can use an oven-proof skillet, a large shallow dish, or individual ramekins.
- Once the shallots are caramelized, add the cherry tomatoes and seasoning. Be careful not to overcook the tomatoes, as they will be baked in the oven later.
- Prepare the crumble dough by mixing the flour, butter, parmesan cheese, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Rub the small pieces of butter with your fingertips until the mixture resembles a crumble.
- Place the filling in your chosen dish and sprinkle the goat cheese and toasted pine nuts on top. You can use soft goat cheese, which melts more easily, or fresh goat cheese for best results.
- Cover the filling with the crumble dough and bake in the oven. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease your baking dish before adding the filling.
- Serve the cherry tomato and goat cheese crumble with a side of lettuce for a light and tasty meal.
Variations:
- You can add other vegetables to the filling, such as zucchini, spinach, or baby plum tomatoes.
- If you want a stronger flavour, you can replace the goat cheese with blue cheese. For a milder flavour, use whole milk ricotta.
- To make a vegan version, skip the cheese and use vegan butter and nutritional yeast instead of parmesan.
- For a heartier meal, serve the crumble with pasta, bruschetta, or crostini.
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Crustless quiche with goat cheese
If you're looking for a delicious and easy breakfast, brunch, or lunch option, a crustless quiche with goat cheese is a fantastic choice. It's not only tasty but also versatile, gluten-free, and can be made ahead of time. Here's a step-by-step guide to making this wonderful dish:
Ingredients:
- Eggs
- Milk
- Half-and-half
- Mustard
- Salt and pepper
- Spinach (or other dark leafy greens like kale or Swiss chard)
- Leeks
- Goat cheese
- Optional: additional vegetables like onion, baby spinach, jarred roasted red peppers, zucchini, summer squash, broccoli, or cauliflower
- Optional: shredded cheddar cheese or feta cheese
Instructions:
- Prepare your vegetables by chopping or grating them into small pieces. If using zucchini or summer squash, you can shred them. For broccoli and cauliflower, lightly steam and then crumble after cooling.
- Sauté the spinach and leeks (or your chosen greens). Clean the leeks after slicing to remove any grit and dirt, then place them in a strainer, rinse, and shake off excess water.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, half-and-half, mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Pour the egg mixture over the sautéed spinach and leeks.
- Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese or feta cheese, if desired.
- Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with additional cheese, if desired.
- Bake for another 15-25 minutes, or until the egg mixture has set and is golden brown.
- Let the quiche rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
Tips:
- If you want to add a bit of crunch or extra flavour, you can include a bottom layer with a small can of salmon, an egg, a handful of coconut flour, and some shredded cheese. Mix and press it into the bottom of the pan before adding the other ingredients.
- If you want to crumble your goat cheese, you can place it in the freezer for a few minutes to make it easier to crumble, or use a fork to crumble very cold cheese.
- This quiche is a great make-ahead option and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a few days.
- You can also prepare this quiche in individual ceramic ramekins for easy grab-and-go meals.
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Roasted buttercup squash with goat cheese
Ingredients:
- Buttercup squash
- Goat cheese
- Pomegranate seeds
- Pepitas
- Fresh parsley
- Olive oil
- Maple syrup
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Poke the squash all over with a fork or a paring knife to pierce the skin.
- Place the whole squash on a paper towel and microwave for 3 minutes to soften it slightly, making it easier to cut.
- Cut the squash in half, starting from the stem in the middle.
- Remove the knobby root at the bottom and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds.
- Cut the squash into wedges, leaving the skin on.
- In a large bowl, toss the squash wedges with olive oil, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. You can also use brown sugar instead of maple syrup.
- Arrange the squash wedges in a single layer on a parchment-lined sheet pan.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and roast for 25-30 minutes, or until the squash is nicely caramelized.
- Once the squash is roasted, remove it from the pan and place it on a serving dish.
- Sprinkle the goat cheese crumbles, pomegranate seeds, pepitas, and fresh parsley on top.
- Drizzle with additional olive oil, if desired, and serve warm.
You can also try other delicious recipes with crumbled goat cheese, such as veggie-packed frittatas, crustless quiches, salads, or mashed butternut squash with goat cheese and rosemary. Enjoy the versatility of goat cheese and its ability to elevate any dish!
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Frequently asked questions
It is important to work with cold cheese, so it’s firmer and easier to crumble. You can cut it with a knife or crumble it with your hands. If you are having trouble crumbling it with your hands, you can put it in the freezer for 5-10 minutes, or open it on its own wrapping and cut it into small pieces with a knife, then invert the paper over a dish and scrape the cheese into it.
Crumbled goat cheese can be used in a variety of recipes, including a crustless quiche, frittata, salads, and a cherry tomato and goat cheese crumble.
Crumbled goat cheese goes well with eggs, spring vegetables, greens, smoked salmon, cherry tomatoes, pine nuts, and thyme.
Fresh goat cheese is best for crumbling. Creamy goat cheese has more moisture than crumbles, so it may be harder to crumble.
You can buy pre-crumbled goat cheese at Trader Joe's.
