Andy Montoya
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be baked, fried, or spread, making it an excellent choice for appetizers. From simple recipes that can be prepared in minutes to more elaborate creations, goat cheese is a sure way to impress your guests. Here are some ideas for appetizers and side dishes that will elevate your next dinner party or get-together.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation time | 5-10 minutes |
| Main ingredients | Goat cheese, honey, thyme, olive oil, baguette, crackers, pecans, pistachios, fig spread, red pepper flakes |
| Variations | Goat cheese pizza, goat cheese dip, goat cheese crostini, goat cheese-stuffed dates, goat cheese meatballs, goat cheese with prosciutto, goat cheese with roasted vegetables, goat cheese with fresh fruit |
| Serving suggestions | Serve with crackers, sliced baguette, crostini, apple slices, or a cheese board |
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What You'll Learn
Goat cheese with honey, fig and pistachios
Goat cheese with honey, fig, and pistachios is a simple yet elegant appetizer that is perfect for any occasion. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, you can create a delicious and impressive dish that your guests will surely rave about. Here is a step-by-step guide to making this mouth-watering appetizer:
Ingredients:
- Goat cheese log
- Honey
- Fig jam or fig spread
- Pistachios
- Crackers, crostini, bread, or apple slices
- Optional: dried cranberries, cherries, or other nuts such as walnuts or pecans
Instructions:
- Prepare the pistachios by chopping them into small pieces. You can also add dried cranberries or cherries to the pistachios for a holiday twist.
- Place the chopped pistachios on a small plate or a piece of parchment paper.
- Roll the goat cheese log in the pistachios, coating the top and sides of the cheese.
- Transfer the coated cheese log to a serving plate or tray, making sure it is large enough to accommodate the crackers or other accompaniments.
- Heat the fig jam or spread in a microwave-safe dish for 10-15 seconds until it becomes drizzle-able. You can also use a small saucepan to warm it over low heat.
- Drizzle the warm fig mixture over the goat cheese log. You can also spoon it over the cheese if it is too thick to drizzle.
- Generously drizzle honey over the goat cheese log. You can use regular honey or hot honey for an extra kick.
- Serve with crackers, crostini, sliced bread, or apple slices.
- Enjoy the combination of sweet, salty, and tangy flavors in every bite!
Tips:
- You can make this appetizer ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Before serving, bring it to room temperature for the best texture and flavor.
- Get creative and customize this recipe to your taste. You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes or fresh cracked black pepper to the honey and fig mixture for a spicy kick.
- Fresh herbs such as finely chopped chives, rosemary, basil, or thyme can also be sprinkled on top for a fresh and flavorful touch.
- If you are not a fan of pistachios, you can substitute them with other nuts such as walnuts or pecans.
- For a more substantial appetizer, spread the goat cheese mixture on toasted bread or crostini, and top it with chopped nuts, fresh thyme, and a drizzle of honey.
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Goat cheese with herbs and garlic
On Bread
For a classic appetizer, spread the goat cheese mixture on toasted bread, such as baguette slices, sourdough, or any long artisan loaf. You can toast the bread slices in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes until they are crunchy. Spread the goat cheese mixture on the bread while it is still warm, and top with chopped pecans, fresh thyme leaves, and a pinch of sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, if desired. Before serving, drizzle each slice with honey for added sweetness.
With Crackers
For a simpler option, serve the goat cheese with herbs and garlic with crackers. You can use plain crackers or, for extra flavor, try crackers baked with goat cheese and thinly sliced shallots.
As a Dip
You can also serve the goat cheese with herbs and garlic as a dip for crudités or dolloped over roasted beets. For a heartier option, top the dip with crispy prosciutto.
Baked Options
There are also several options for baking with goat cheese:
- Bake a goat cheese pizza
- Bake the goat cheese with garlic and herbs in the oven, serving it hot and melty with crusty French bread or crackers
- Make baked goat cheese and ricotta, adding candied tomatoes for a unique flavor
Other Creative Options
- Spread it on crostini (toasted baguette slices) with sautéed or roasted vegetables and herbs, or fresh, seasonal fruit
- Dollop it over Alon Shaya's whole roasted cauliflower
- Use it as a filling for tarts, galettes, or quesadillas, which can be served as appetizers or cut into small bites
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Goat cheese on toast
Ingredients
- Goat cheese
- Bread (baguette or any long artisan loaf)
- Honey
- Thyme
- Salt
- Pepper
- Walnuts or pecans (optional)
- Olive oil
- Salad greens (optional)
Method
- Toast the bread. This can be done in a toaster, oven, or hot pan with a little cooking fat.
- Spread the goat cheese on the warm toast. For a smoother spread, ensure the goat cheese is at room temperature before applying.
- Drizzle with honey.
- Sprinkle with thyme, salt, and pepper.
- For added crunch and flavour, top with chopped walnuts or pecans. Walnuts can be fried in olive oil beforehand for a richer taste and crispier texture.
- Serve with a handful of salad greens on the side, if desired.
Variations
This recipe can be adapted in numerous ways:
- Goat cheese pairs well with nuts, fresh fruit, dried fruit, and honey, so consider adding some sliced pear or apple.
- For a heartier option, broil cheddar or Swiss cheese on top of the bread before garnishing.
- For a vegan option, swap the goat cheese for mashed avocado.
- For a simple goat cheese appetizer, serve with baguette slices or crackers on the side.
- Goat cheese can also be used as a dip for crudités, or as a topping for roasted beets or crispy prosciutto.
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Goat cheese with fruit
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be baked, fried, or spread, and it pairs well with fruits, nuts, and honey. Here are some ideas for appetizers featuring goat cheese and fruit:
Goat Cheese, Honey, and Fruit Crostini
Crostini, which means "little toasts" in Italian, are bite-sized pieces of toasted bread topped with various ingredients. For this appetizer, toast slices of a French baguette drizzled with olive oil in the oven. While the bread is toasting, mix goat cheese and honey together in a small bowl until relatively smooth. Once the bread is toasted, spread the goat cheese mixture on the bread while it's still warm. Top with seasonal fresh fruit, such as strawberries, persimmons, or pears, and drizzle with additional honey before serving.
Whipped Honey Goat Cheese Dip with Balsamic Fruit
This dip can be served with a loaf of fresh bread or crackers, or with crostini on the side. Simply blend cream cheese, goat cheese, and honey in a food processor until smooth and creamy. Serve the dip with a variety of fresh fruits, such as blackberries, strawberries, or peaches, and a balsamic reduction for drizzling.
Goat Cheese Pizza
For a heartier appetizer, try a goat cheese pizza. Start with a pre-made pizza dough base and spread a mixture of goat cheese and honey on top. Add your choice of fresh fruits, such as sliced pears or apples, and bake until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted.
Goat Cheese and Fruit Tarts
Miniature goat cheese and fruit tarts are another option for bite-sized appetizers. Line small tart tins with puff pastry and fill them with a mixture of goat cheese, honey, and chopped fresh fruit. Top with a sprinkle of ground pepper and bake until the pastry is golden and the filling is warm and bubbly.
Savory Stuffed Apples with Goat Cheese
For a unique twist on the classic baked apple, try making savory stuffed apples with goat cheese. Core apples and stuff them with a mixture of goat cheese, sweet potatoes, eggs, and celery leaves. Bake until the apples are soft and serve warm, garnished with fresh herbs.
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Goat cheese pizza
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of appetizers, from crostini to dips and spreads. One delicious way to showcase goat cheese is by making a goat cheese pizza. Here are some tips and ideas for creating a mouth-watering goat cheese pizza:
Choose Your Dough:
Prepare Your Dough:
If using store-bought pizza dough, remember to defrost it overnight in the fridge and then bring it to room temperature for easier shaping. Stretch and press the dough into your desired shape, whether it's a circle, rectangle, or oval. You can also add a delicious twist by brushing the dough with olive oil before baking.
Create a Flavorful Base:
Before adding your toppings, you can create a flavorful base for your goat cheese pizza. Try spreading a mixture of olive oil, minced garlic, and red chili flakes, or a layer of fig preserves for a touch of sweetness. This base layer adds a punch of flavor to your pizza.
Toppings, the Star: Goat Cheese:
Now, it's time for the star ingredient—goat cheese! Crumble or spread soft goat cheese over your prepared base. Goat cheese has a tangy and creamy flavor that pairs well with a variety of toppings. You can also opt for herbed goat cheese to add an extra layer of flavor.
Complementary Toppings:
Goat cheese pairs beautifully with a variety of toppings. Here are some options to consider:
- Caramelized Onions: The sweetness of caramelized onions balances the tanginess of goat cheese. You can also add a balsamic reduction to this combination for a more complex flavor profile.
- Fresh Produce: Cherry tomatoes, especially during summer when they are at their peak, add a burst of freshness to your pizza. You can also use other seasonal fruits like figs, persimmons, or even roasted strawberries for a unique twist.
- Meaty Delights: Crispy bacon and prosciutto add a savory, salty element to your pizza.
- Herbs and Spices: Fresh basil, thyme, and oregano not only enhance the flavor but also add a pop of color to your pizza.
- Cheesy Goodness: Mozzarella and Gruyere cheeses melt beautifully and create a stringy, cheesy delight when combined with goat cheese.
Baking Tips:
Preheat your oven to the appropriate temperature, usually around 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and place your pizza on the lowest rack. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, keeping an eye on it, until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some simple goat cheese appetizers that you can make:
- Goat cheese with honey, fig, and pistachios.
- Goat cheese crostini with honey and pecans.
- Marinated goat cheese with olive oil, thyme, and spices.
- Goat cheese with garlic dressing.
Goat cheese appetizers go well with crackers, sliced baguette, apple slices, grapes, pears, and dried fruits like apricots and cranberries.
You can use goat cheese as a dip for crudités, dollop it over roasted beets, or spread it on toast. You can also bake it, fry it, or whip it into a dip.
