Patrick Oconnell
Cranberry goat cheese is a versatile treat that can be served as a dip, spread, or log. It can be paired with a variety of foods, such as crackers, crostini, bread, and fruits like apples, grapes, and pears. For those who are gluten-intolerant, gluten-free crackers or crostini are a great option. If you're feeling creative, you can even use it as a topping for pancakes, salads, or zucchini roll-ups. The sweetness of the cranberries and the tanginess of the goat cheese create a delightful combination that can be enhanced by adding nuts, herbs, and spices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Appetizer |
| Preparation Time | 5-15 minutes |
| Ingredients | Goat cheese, cranberries, honey, rosemary, cinnamon, orange juice, crackers, bread |
| Variations | Salad, pizza, pancakes, galette, tarts, panini, nachos, zucchini roll-ups, polenta cake, philo pockets, fig dish, rice cakes |
| Wine Pairing | Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay |
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What You'll Learn
Cranberry goat cheese log with crackers
Cranberry goat cheese is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways, one of which is as a log with crackers. This can be a simple, quick, and tasty appetizer for any occasion. Here are some ideas for preparing and serving cranberry goat cheese log with crackers:
Preparation:
Cranberry goat cheese logs can be easily prepared at home or bought from a store. If you want to make it yourself, start with a plain goat cheese log and coat it with a mixture of dried cranberries and cinnamon, and other ingredients of your choice. For a simple homemade version, just mix together goat cheese, cinnamon, and dried cranberries. You can also add other ingredients like nuts, herbs, or a drizzle of honey. If you're short on time, you can even buy a pre-made log of chevre goat cheese seasoned with cinnamon and cranberries.
Serving with Crackers:
Cranberry goat cheese logs pair well with a variety of crackers. You can serve them with gluten-free crackers or graham crackers. For a fancier presentation, add a dip or butter knife so your guests can slice and spread the cheese. You can also sprinkle additional toppings like pecans, cranberries, or rosemary on the platter for garnish and extra flavor.
Other Serving Suggestions:
While crackers are a classic choice, there are also many other options for serving this appetizer. You can offer it with crostini, crusty bread, or toasted bread. For a gluten-free option, try rice cakes or gluten-free pastry. Fresh fruit like apple slices, grapes, or pear wedges can also complement the flavors of the cheese and cranberries. If you want to get creative, try making phyllo pockets stuffed with the cheese and drizzled with apricot jam and cherry liquor, or roll it up in turkey and lettuce for a refreshing bite.
Wine Pairing:
To elevate your appetizer, consider pairing it with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay. The wine will complement the creamy goat cheese and cranberries, creating a harmonious flavor combination.
Whether you're hosting a holiday gathering or just enjoying a quiet evening at home, a cranberry goat cheese log with crackers is a delicious and versatile appetizer that is sure to impress!
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Baked goat cheese with cranberries on toasted bread
Cranberry goat cheese is a delightful combination of sweet and tangy flavours. It is a versatile dish that can be served as a fancy appetizer or a simple snack. Here are some tips and ideas to elevate your baked goat cheese with cranberries on toasted bread:
Ingredients:
- Goat cheese: Look for a goat cheese log sold in a log, plain or flavoured with cinnamon.
- Cranberries: Fresh or frozen cranberries can be used. You can also use canned cranberry sauce or make your own cranberry sauce by cooking cranberries with orange juice, rosemary, and honey.
- Bread: Choose a long, skinny baguette or French bread for that perfect crunchy texture to complement the soft cheese.
- Toppings and garnishes: Consider adding unsalted almonds, mint, honey, or rosemary for extra flavour and texture.
Preparation:
- Prepare the cranberry sauce by cooking cranberries with orange juice, rosemary, and honey until thickened. Adjust the sweetness to your liking.
- Slice the baguette or French bread into desired thickness. Drizzle the bread slices with olive oil and toast them under a broiler until lightly toasted.
- If using plain goat cheese, you can whip it with cream cheese until light and fluffy.
- Spread the goat cheese onto the toasted bread.
- Top the goat cheese with the prepared cranberry sauce or fresh cranberries.
- Add your chosen toppings or garnishes, such as chopped almonds, mint leaves, or a drizzle of honey.
- Serve warm as a delicious and elegant appetizer or snack.
Pairings:
To enhance your dish, consider pairing it with:
- Crackers: Classic buttery crackers, whole wheat crackers, or gluten-free options can complement the creamy goat cheese and tangy cranberries.
- Fresh fruits: Apple slices, grapes, or pear wedges add a refreshing touch to the dish.
- Cured meats: Offer prosciutto or salami on the side for a savoury balance.
Get creative and enjoy the combination of baked goat cheese and cranberries on toasted bread!
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Goat cheese with honey crisp apple slices
Honey crisp apple slices with goat cheese make a great snack or healthy dessert. This recipe is super simple, quick and easy to make, and fun for kids! It is also gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly.
To make this appetizer, cut the top and bottom off the apples, then slice the remaining middle into two or three even slices, about 1/2-inch thick. Use a sharp knife or biscuit cutter to remove the core from each slice. Arrange the cored slices on a tray and fill the middle with a little less than one tablespoon of goat cheese. Drizzle enough honey over the top to completely coat the apples (this will prevent them from turning brown). You can sprinkle chopped pecans, almonds, or pumpkin seeds on top for an extra crunch.
If you want to get creative with the apple slices, try cutting them into thin slices by placing the apple upright and cutting thin slices down the side. This way, you'll have more surface area for the toppings!
This appetizer is perfect for the holiday season and can be made in advance. However, it is best to enjoy it fresh, as the honey starts to mix with the apple juice after a while, changing the texture.
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Goat cheese and cranberry pizza
Cranberry and goat cheese is a pairing made in heaven. The creamy, tangy goat cheese is the perfect complement to the sweet and tart cranberries. This combination works especially well as a pizza, and there are several ways to make it.
One way is to make a cranberry sauce with maple syrup, shallots, thyme, and salt. This sauce is then spread over a flatbread, topped with goat cheese, and baked until the cheese is softened. Another option is to make a pizza with cranberry-studded goat cheese, caramelized onions, arugula, lemon zest, and a balsamic drizzle. The lemon zest is added after baking to preserve its intense flavor, and the balsamic drizzle brings all the flavors together.
If you want to get creative, you can add additional toppings to your pizza. Some options include shaved Brussels sprouts, asparagus, or pulled turkey. You can even experiment with different types of pizza dough, such as sourdough or gluten-free dough.
For a quick and easy appetizer, you can make a cranberry goat cheese log. Simply coat a log of goat cheese with honey, sprinkle it with chopped pecans, rosemary, and cranberries, and serve it with crackers. This appetizer can be made in under 15 minutes and is perfect for holiday gatherings or as a simple snack.
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Cranberry Goat Cheese Log:
For a simple and impressive appetizer, start with a log of goat cheese. Drizzle honey over the cheese log, which will act as a "glue" for the toppings to stick. Next, sprinkle a mixture of chopped pecans, rosemary, and cranberries over the cheese log, pressing them gently so they adhere. You can also add a final drizzle of honey to the serving platter to keep the cheese in place. Serve with crackers, crusty bread, or sliced baguette on the side.
Cranberry Goat Cheese Dip:
Create a delicious dip by blending goat cheese with a homemade cranberry sauce made from cooking cranberries, orange juice, honey, and rosemary. You can also add dried cranberries and oranges for extra sweetness and texture. Serve this dip with crackers, crostini, or crusty bread for a festive holiday appetizer.
Cranberry Goat Cheese Tart or Galette:
For a more intricate dish, try making a goat cheese tart or galette. Fill a phyllo shell or a gluten-free pastry base with goat cheese and top it with a cranberry sauce or compote, adding in rosemary for extra flavour. You can also add other ingredients like dried fruit, nuts, or a drizzle of honey.
Cranberry Goat Cheese Salad:
For a refreshing option, crumble the cranberry goat cheese over a bed of mixed greens. Add in some roast or pickled beets, walnuts, and a balsamic vinaigrette for a tangy and nutritious dish.
Creative Combinations:
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Frequently asked questions
Gluten-free crackers or crostini are a great option to pair with cranberry goat cheese. You can also crumble it over a salad with roast or pickled beets and a balsamic vinaigrette, or spread it on rice cakes.
You can spread cranberry goat cheese on toast or honey crisp apple slices. You can also pair it with fresh fruits like apple slices, grapes, or pear wedges.
You can make a cranberry goat cheese log by combining chopped pecans, rosemary, and cranberries, and drizzling honey over the goat cheese. You can also make a cranberry goat cheese appetizer by baking goat cheese slices in a cranberry sauce made from cranberries, orange zest, orange juice, sugar, and cinnamon.
You can make a cranberry goat cheese tart or phyllo pockets stuffed with the cheese, drizzled with apricot jam, and topped with mint. You can also make a flourless nut cake or polenta cake to eat with the cheese.
You can add unsalted almonds, balsamic vinegar, honey, or fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley to a cranberry goat cheese appetizer.
