Patrick Oconnell
Goat's cheese is a versatile ingredient with a rich, tangy flavour that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is a popular choice for salads, pastas, tarts, and pizzas, as well as a great addition to charcuterie boards. The creamy texture and tangy taste of goat's cheese also make it a perfect pairing for sweet accompaniments like honey, fruits, and nuts. Whether you're looking for a simple appetizer or a sophisticated main course, goat's cheese can be the star ingredient in many delicious recipes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fruits | Peaches, apricots, nectarines, red berries, apples, pears, grapes, tomatoes, plums, cherries, redcurrants |
| Nuts | Walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios |
| Bread | Multigrain, nutty, sourdough, flatbread, Indian naan |
| Meat | Chicken, bacon, prosciutto, shrimp |
| Vegetables | Arugula, beetroot, baby greens, spinach, asparagus, peas, broccoli, courgette, chilli, leeks, garlic, onion, peppers |
| Condiments | Olive oil, vinegar, honey, jam, yoghurt, pesto |
| Other | Pasta, rice, eggs, cheese, olives, basil |
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What You'll Learn
Salads
For a colourful seasonal salad, combine peppery baby arugula leaves with beetroot, goat's cheese crumbles, and either pears or peaches, drizzled with a little oil and vinegar. Another option is to assemble a summer salad with goat's cheese, fresh tomatoes, and baby arugula greens. The vinaigrette dressing can include honey and fresh basil, to boost the fresh summery flavours.
Goat's cheese also works well in a vegetarian main course salad, where the earthy flavour of the cheese is contrasted with a tangy dressing and roasted vegetables. You could also try a goat's cheese salad with wilted greens flavoured with nutmeg and a salty cheese.
For a more substantial meal, top a shop-bought flatbread pizza base with goat's cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and chopped Kalamata olives, and bake for 15 minutes for a crispy, thin-crust pizza.
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Pasta
Goat Cheese Pasta
Goat cheese pasta is a creamy, delicious, and super-easy dish to make. It is a perfect meal for a busy day and can be made in one pot in less than 30 minutes. The goat cheese sauce is an exception to the usual white pasta sauces and is a good choice for those who find cow's milk cheese difficult to digest.
Ingredients
- Pasta: Use any long pasta like spaghetti, linguine, or penne.
- Goat Cheese: Soft goat cheese or chèvre.
- Herbs: Basil, parsley, or dill.
- Lemon: Lemon juice and lemon zest.
- Others: Butter, cream, pasta water, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese.
Recipe
- Cook the pasta al dente according to the package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Make the sauce: Heat butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add goat cheese, cream, and stir. Whisk until smooth.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the cooked pasta and 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water to the skillet. Stir well to coat the pasta and let it bubble in the sauce for 1-2 minutes.
- If you prefer a thinner sauce, add more pasta water. Mix in the herbs, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the lemon juice and zest, and more pasta water if needed. Turn off the heat and stir in the parmesan cheese.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with herbs and serve.
Variations
You can add vegetables like asparagus, peas, broccoli, spinach, or arugula. You can also add chicken to make it a more balanced meal. For a spicy kick, add chilli flakes or red pepper flakes.
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Pizza
Goat's cheese is a popular ingredient in pizzas, and there are many different ways to prepare and serve this dish. Here are some ideas for a delicious goat's cheese pizza:
Dough and Crust:
The base of a pizza is essential, and you can choose from various doughs and crusts to suit your taste and dietary preferences. You can opt for a classic pizza dough, such as thin crust pizza dough, or go for a gluten-free option. If you're short on time, a store-bought pizza crust can be a convenient choice. For a unique twist, consider using flatbreads as a base or a sourdough crust for a chewy texture.
Toppings:
Caramelised onions are a popular choice to pair with goat's cheese, adding a sweet and tangy flavour to the pizza. You can also include other vegetables like spinach, avocado, bell peppers, and arugula. For a savoury twist, add prosciutto, chicken breast, or pine nuts. Olives, thyme, rosemary, and basil can also enhance the flavour and provide a fresh aroma.
Sauce:
While some prefer their goat's cheese pizza without any additional sauce, you can choose from a variety of options. A classic marinara sauce or a tangy tomato sauce can complement the cheese well. If you want to experiment, try a pesto, garlic, or white sauce. For a unique touch, drizzle your pizza with balsamic glaze.
Preparation:
Preheat your oven to a temperature suitable for your chosen crust. If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to preheat as well. Prepare your dough and roll it out to the desired size. Spread your chosen sauce, if using, and top with caramelised onions and crumbled goat's cheese. Add any additional toppings of your choice. Bake the pizza until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Goat's cheese pizza is a versatile dish that can be customised to your taste. Whether you prefer a simple combination of cheese and caramelised onions or a more loaded pizza with various toppings, sauces, and proteins, the key is to experiment and find your perfect combination.
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Meat
The tangy flavour of goat's cheese works wonderfully with meat in a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas for meat-based dishes that use goat's cheese:
Beef Bolognese
A classic bolognese can be given a creamy twist with the addition of goat's cheese. This simple tomato sauce with beef and goat's cheese is an easy, crowd-pleasing meal. The goat's cheese lightens up the dish and adds a creamy texture.
Grilled Steak
For a summer barbecue option, grilled steaks can be cooked over direct heat and served with a slice of goat's cheese. Sprinkle with thyme and serve with cherry tomatoes and a potato salad.
Beef Sirloin
For a more sophisticated option, a beef sirloin steak can be served with roast beetroot and goat's cheese. The creamy goat's cheese and sweet beetroot complement the succulent steak. This dish is perfect for feeding a crowd and can be served as a comforting Sunday roast.
Chicken
Chicken breasts can be stuffed with goat's cheese, tarragon, and chilli, and wrapped in crispy prosciutto. This combination of chicken, goat's cheese, and bacon is delicious, and the addition of vegetables adds a welcome sweetness to the dish.
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Sweet treats
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of sweet treats. Here are some ideas for sweet treats that feature goat cheese:
Cheesecake
Goat cheese can be used to make a savoury cheesecake with a tangy twist. It can be served with berry sauce, fresh berries, and mint.
Pudding
For a luxurious dessert, stir crumbled goat cheese into a buttery brioche pudding sweetened with maple syrup and fresh berries.
Salads
Goat cheese can be crumbled over a variety of salads to add a creamy, tangy element. Try combining it with sweet ingredients like beets, pears, plums, or nectarines, and peppery greens like arugula.
Tarts
For a quick and easy dessert, top shop-bought puff pastry with a mixture of goat cheese, honey-roasted pears, and walnuts. Alternatively, make a savoury tart with goat cheese, caramelized onions, and thyme, or a tomato galette with herbed goat cheese and sliced heirloom tomatoes.
Crostini
Spread goat cheese on toasted bread or crostini and top with sweet ingredients like fruit sauce, berries, or honey.
Pasta
For a sweet and savoury pasta dish, combine goat cheese with leeks, walnuts, and garlic.
Pizza
Create a dessert pizza by topping Indian naan bread with goat cheese, grilled nectarines, and fresh basil. Alternatively, make a savoury pizza with caramelized onions, thyme, and goat cheese, or a garlicky grilled chicken pizza.
Appetizers
Serve warm goat cheese fritters with a tropical fruit dipping sauce, or make a goat cheese mousse and serve it as a topping for crostini or a dip for crudites.
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Frequently asked questions
Savoury foods that pair well with goat's cheese include beetroot, chicken, bacon, walnuts, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, asparagus, peas, and broccoli. Goat's cheese can also be added to pasta, pizza, risotto, and salads.
Sweet foods that pair well with goat's cheese include honey, fruits (such as apples, pears, peaches, apricots, nectarines, red berries, grapes, and figs), and nuts (such as walnuts, hazelnuts, and pistachios).
Some specific recipes that use goat's cheese include goat's cheese salad, goat's cheese pasta, goat's cheese pizza, goat's cheese risotto, goat's cheese frittata, and goat's cheese quesadillas.
