Andy Montoya
Creamy goat cheese and cranberry pasta is a decadent dish that is a good source of fiber. This meal is best served with a side of fresh salad greens, such as arugula or mixed greens lightly dressed with balsamic vinaigrette. The greens add a refreshing, crisp element to the dish. For a heartier meal, serve the pasta with a side of toasted bread or crackers. To make the dish more savoury, offer cured meats like prosciutto or salami on the side.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Calories | 60kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 6g |
| Protein | 2g |
| Fat | 3g |
| Saturated Fat | 2g |
| Cholesterol | 6mg |
| Sodium | 52mg |
| Sugar | 5g |
| Vitamin A | 145IU |
| Calcium | 20mg |
| Iron | 0.3mg |
| Serving Suggestions | Gluten-free crackers, toast, crostini, fruit slices, veggies, pecans, cured meats, salad greens |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Baked goat cheese with cranberries
Ingredients:
- Goat cheese
- Cranberry sauce
- Mint, thyme, rosemary, or basil for garnish
- Chopped nuts (optional)
- Pomegranate seeds (optional)
Steps to Prepare:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread the cranberry sauce in an even layer in a medium baking dish. Cut the goat cheese into 10 slices and nestle them into the cranberry sauce. Bake for 14 to 16 minutes or until the sauce and cheese are warmed through. If desired, broil under high heat for 1 to 2 minutes to brown the cheese, but be careful not to burn it. Garnish with mint and serve warm with crackers or crostini.
Variations:
You can also make a cranberry goat cheese log by mixing dried cranberries with ground cinnamon and rolling a goat cheese log in the mixture. This can be served with gluten-free crackers. Another variation includes drizzling honey on the goat cheese and sprinkling it with a mixture of cranberries, pecans, and rosemary before serving with crackers and fruit slices.
For a heartier option, you can combine goat cheese and cream cheese, mix in chopped pecans and bacon, shape into a ball, flatten it, and place it in a baking dish. Top with cranberry sauce and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes. Garnish with additional chopped pecans and minced rosemary, and serve with bread or crackers.
Storage and Reheating:
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in an oven-safe dish and warm in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes or until warmed through.
Drunken Goat Cheese: Secrets of Its Delicious Ingredients
You may want to see also
Goat cheese and cranberry crostini
Ingredients
- Goat cheese
- Cranberries
- Bread/baguette
- Olive oil
- Honey
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Salt and pepper
- Maple syrup
- Balsamic vinegar
- Chopped nuts (optional)
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400-425˚F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- In a bowl, mix the cranberries with olive oil, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. You can also add some balsamic vinegar and rosemary or thyme sprigs to the cranberries for extra flavour.
- Spread the cranberries out on the prepared baking sheet and roast for 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Slice and toast the bread or baguette. You can brush the bread with olive oil before toasting for extra flavour and texture.
- Once the bread is toasted, spread each slice with goat cheese and top with the roasted cranberries.
- Drizzle honey over the goat cheese and cranberries, if desired.
- Sprinkle with chopped rosemary and thyme to garnish.
- For an extra crunch, top with chopped nuts like pistachios, walnuts, or pecans.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips
- You can warm the cranberries in the microwave before serving if you prefer a softer texture.
- The roasted cranberries can be prepared up to 5 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- This crostini makes a great holiday appetizer and can be served at parties or get-togethers.
- For a gluten-free option, serve the goat cheese and cranberry mixture with gluten-free crackers instead of bread.
Goat Cheese Delights: Best Food Pairings You Should Try
You may want to see also
Goat cheese pasta salad
Ingredients and Preparation:
For the pasta salad, it is recommended to use a short, twirly shape of pasta such as fusilli. This allows the dressing to soak into all the nooks and crannies of the noodles. Boil the pasta according to the package instructions. Additionally, you can blanch asparagus by cooking it in boiling water for about a minute, then transferring it to ice water to cool. You can also roast the asparagus separately for a different texture.
For the goat cheese dressing, combine softened goat cheese with lemon juice, olive oil, mustard, lemon zest, salt, red pepper, and black pepper. You can adjust the seasoning to your taste. The warmth of the freshly cooked pasta will help melt the goat cheese, creating a smooth and creamy dressing.
Once the pasta is cooked, toss it with the dressing. Add in the blanched or roasted asparagus, along with other vegetables such as cherry or grape tomatoes, arugula, and kalamata olives. You can also include sun-dried tomatoes, white beans, avocado, and fresh basil for additional flavor and texture.
Serving Suggestions:
For a festive twist, you can create a cranberry goat cheese log as an appetizer or side dish to accompany the pasta salad. Simply roll a goat cheese log in a mixture of dried cranberries, cinnamon, and honey, then coat it with chopped pecans and rosemary. Serve it with crackers, fruit slices, or vegetables.
Goat Cheese Uncooked: Healthy or Hazardous?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cranberry goat cheese appetizer
Ingredients
- Goat cheese
- Cranberries (dried or fresh)
- Honey
- Pecans
- Rosemary
- Crackers, crostini, or toasted bread
Optional Ingredients
- Thyme
- Mint
- Walnuts or pecans
- Pomegranate seeds
- Cured meats (e.g. prosciutto or salami)
- Fresh fruit (e.g. sliced pears or apples)
Recipe
The recipe for this appetizer is straightforward. First, drizzle the goat cheese with honey and use your fingers or a spoon to spread it all over. Next, sprinkle the chopped pecan, cranberry, and rosemary mixture on all sides of the goat cheese log, pressing the ingredients into the cheese. Drizzle honey on the serving plate to keep the goat cheese from moving around, and then place the coated cheese log on top. Finally, garnish with any remaining pecan/cranberry mixture and serve with crackers, crostini, or toasted bread.
Variations
There are several ways to vary this recipe. You can use cinnamon goat cheese or honey-flavoured goat cheese, or add orange zest and orange juice to the cranberries. For a spicier option, try jalapeño goat cheese. You can also make cranberry goat cheese pastry bites using puff pastry, goat cheese, thyme, and cranberry jelly.
Goat Cheese and White Queso: What's the Difference?
You may want to see also
Wine and non-alcoholic drink pairings
When it comes to wine and drink pairings for goat cheese cranberry pasta, there are several options to consider. For wine lovers, a crisp and dry white wine like a Pinot Grigio or a Sauvignon Blanc would be a good choice to complement the dish's tangy and creamy flavours. The acidity and freshness of these wines will balance the richness of the goat cheese, while their crispness will pair well with the cranberries. If you prefer a red wine, a lighter variety such as a Pinot Noir or a young Beaujolais would work well. These wines offer bright fruit flavours and subtle spice notes that can enhance the sweetness of the cranberries without overwhelming the dish.
For those who enjoy sparkling wines, a dry Prosecco or a brut Champagne could be an elegant choice. The delicate bubbles and crisp acidity of these wines can provide a refreshing contrast to the creaminess of the pasta. Additionally, their subtle flavours won't overpower the dish's more delicate ingredients.
If you're looking for non-alcoholic options, there are several drinks that can complement the flavours of the goat cheese cranberry pasta. A crisp and tangy ginger beer or a spicy ginger ale could add a refreshing twist, especially if paired with a slice of orange or lemon to enhance the drink's flavour. For a more herbal option, an infused non-alcoholic spirit, such as a gin alternative with notes of juniper and coriander, could provide a sophisticated flavour profile that mirrors the complexity of the dish.
Lastly, a non-alcoholic sparkling wine or a sparkling cider could be a festive choice, especially for those who want to enjoy the celebratory feel of bubbles without the alcohol. These drinks often offer crisp and fruity flavours that can pair well with the sweetness of the cranberries, while their dryness can provide a nice contrast to the creaminess of the goat cheese.
Goat Cheese and Cats: A Healthy Mix?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A baked goat cheese and cranberry appetizer is a great option to serve before the main course. It is easy to make and can be served with crackers, toasted bread, or crostini.
Some refreshing side dishes to serve with goat cheese and cranberry pasta include a fresh salad with greens like arugula or mixed greens dressed with a balsamic vinaigrette. You can also serve fresh fruits like apple slices, grapes, or pear wedges to complement the flavours of the pasta.
For a vegetarian option, you can omit the cured meats and serve the baked goat cheese and cranberry appetizer with crackers, toasted bread, crostini, or fresh fruits like apples, pears, or grapes.
There are several variations of the goat cheese and cranberry appetizer that you can make. You can add honey, thyme, rosemary, or parsley to the goat cheese for extra flavour. You can also roll the goat cheese log in chopped nuts like almonds, pecans, or walnuts for a crunchy texture.
