Goat Cheese's Vegetable Partners: A Culinary Adventure

Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads and sides to pizzas and sandwiches. When it comes to vegetables, there are many options that pair well with goat cheese. Roasted vegetables such as sweet potatoes, butternut squash, parsnips, and carrots are a perfect match for goat cheese, especially when drizzled with honey. Grilled vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and asparagus also complement goat cheese beautifully. For a tangy twist, try adding goat cheese to dishes with tomatoes, cucumbers, or beetroot. Goat cheese can be crumbled, melted, or whipped, making it a delicious addition to any vegetable-based dish.

Roasted vegetables with honey

Ingredients

This recipe is highly customisable, but here is a list of ingredients to get you started:

• Vegetables of your choice (e.g. sweet potatoes, butternut squash, parsnips, carrots, beets, Brussels sprouts, onions, acorn squash)
• Seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder, rosemary, thyme)
• Honey (preferably good quality)
• Goat cheese
• Optional toppings: nuts (e.g. walnuts, pistachios, pecans), fresh herbs (e.g. rosemary, thyme)

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Peel and chop your chosen vegetables into 1/2 to 1-inch bite-sized pieces.
• Spread the vegetables onto a large baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, or your chosen seasonings.
• Bake for 25 minutes, flipping the vegetables halfway through.
• Remove from the oven and warm the honey in the microwave to make it more liquid and easier to pour.
• Coat the roasted vegetables with the honey and top with crumbled goat cheese.
• Finish with any desired toppings, such as nuts and fresh herbs.

Tips and Variations

• This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• If you prefer your honey to have a more subtle flavour, you can substitute maple syrup instead.
• If you want to add some extra crunch to your dish, try breading and frying the goat cheese before adding it to the vegetables.
• For a more substantial meal, serve the roasted vegetables and goat cheese with quinoa, hummus, and salad greens.
• Get creative with your vegetable choices! Almost any vegetable will work with this recipe, so feel free to experiment with different combinations.

Salads and sides

A simple way to incorporate goat cheese into salads and sides is to crumble it over the dish. For hot vegetable dishes, the cheese can be folded through to create a creamy texture. It can also be whipped to make a salad dressing, or crumbled and toasted to create crunchy toppings. Baking the cheese is another way to add a warm, gooey element to a dish. Flavoured goat cheeses, such as cranberry goat cheese, can also add a touch of sweetness.

Some specific vegetable pairings for goat cheese include:

• Roasted root vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, parsnips, carrots, and beets, drizzled with honey and topped with goat cheese.
• Grilled vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, squash, and asparagus, marinated in balsamic vinegar and topped with goat cheese.
• Salads with arugula, spinach, beetroot, avocado, cucumber, tomato, and onion, topped with crumbled goat cheese.
• Sandwiches with roasted vegetables like bell peppers, eggplant, and squash, and a spread made from goat cheese, black pepper, and basil.
• Baked sweet potatoes topped with goat cheese and cranberries or kalamata olives.

Sandwiches

Goat Cheese, Roasted Red Pepper, and Basil on Sourdough

For this sandwich, you'll need goat cheese, roasted red peppers, fresh basil, sourdough bread, and a mixture of black pepper and basil to spread on the bread. You can also add some olive oil to the mixture. Spread the mixture on both slices of bread, add the roasted red peppers and fresh basil, and sprinkle with goat cheese.

Goat Cheese, Arugula, and Fig Jam on Rye

This sandwich combines the sweetness of fig jam with the tanginess of goat cheese and the pepperiness of arugula. Simply spread fig jam on rye bread, add a generous amount of goat cheese, and top with arugula.

Goat Cheese, Caramelized Onion, and Honey on Baguette

Caramelize some onions in a pan, and spread goat cheese on a toasted baguette. Drizzle honey over the goat cheese, and top with the caramelized onions.

Goat Cheese, Roasted Vegetables, and Honey on Multigrain Bread

Roast some vegetables of your choice (such as zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant), and spread goat cheese on a slice of multigrain bread. Drizzle honey over the goat cheese, and add the roasted vegetables.

Goat Cheese, Portabella Mushrooms, and Arugula on Ciabatta

This sandwich combines the earthiness of portabella mushrooms with the creaminess of goat cheese and the pepperiness of arugula. Spread goat cheese on a ciabatta roll, add some arugula, and top with grilled portabella mushrooms.

Goat Cheese, Avocado, and Tomato on Whole Wheat Bread

For a simpler sandwich, spread goat cheese on a slice of whole wheat bread, and add some sliced avocado and tomato. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and enjoy!

Pizzas

Goat cheese is a tangy and tart cheese that makes an outstanding choice for pizza. Its unique taste means that it pairs well with a variety of vegetables, creating a well-rounded and delicious pizza.

Caramelised Onions

Caramelised onions are a popular choice to pair with goat cheese. The natural sweetness of the onions is unlocked during the slow cooking process, resulting in a flavour that blends beautifully with the goat cheese. This combination is a perfect substitute for those who enjoy the sweetness that tomato sauce provides.

Bell Peppers

Bell peppers also possess a natural sweetness that balances out the sharpness of goat cheese. They are a winner in terms of texture, as the crunchy pepper strips soften during the cooking process, allowing them to blend perfectly with the creamy goat cheese.

Arugula

A pizza with crumbled goat cheese, figs, and arugula is a delicious and healthy option. The addition of a balsamic drizzle takes this pizza to the next level. Arugula can also be used to top a pizza with goat cheese and prosciutto.

Asparagus

Asparagus is another vegetable that pairs well with goat cheese on a pizza. A goat cheese pizza with asparagus, peas, and a variety of other cheeses such as fontina and Parmesan is a tasty and unique option.

Figs

Figs provide a subtle sweetness that pairs well with goat cheese. A pizza with figs, arugula, and a balsamic drizzle is a perfect combination of flavours and textures.

Thyme

Herbs such as thyme can also be used as pizza toppings. Thyme adds a hint of herbal richness to a pizza with goat cheese and caramelised onions.

Mushrooms

Mushrooms are a versatile vegetable that can be stuffed or used as a pizza topping. Cremini mushrooms, in particular, are a great choice due to their earthy flavour, which matches well with the goat cheese.

Avocado

For a unique and tasty combination, try a veggie pizza with avocado, bell peppers, goat cheese, and basil.

Pasta

Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of pasta dishes. Here are some ideas for combining goat cheese with vegetables in pasta:

Roasted Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Pasta

This dish combines roasted red peppers with creamy goat cheese to create a simple and fast pasta meal. The sweetness of the peppers pairs well with the tangy cheese, resulting in a flavourful and satisfying dish. For an even faster preparation, you can use tomato sauce or paste instead of roasted red peppers.

Goat Cheese and Vegetable Pasta

You can create a delicious pasta sauce by frying onions and garlic in butter, then adding milk or cream and stirring in goat cheese until it melts. This sauce can be combined with cooked pasta and your choice of vegetables, such as asparagus, bell peppers, onions, or squash.

Beetroot and Goat Cheese Ravioli

For a unique ravioli filling, mix goat cheese with mushrooms, fresh herbs, and garlic. Stuff this mixture into fresh ravioli and serve with your favourite sauce. The earthiness of the beetroot complements the tangy flavour of the goat cheese.

Goat Cheese and Vegetable Sandwich

Spread a goat cheese, black pepper, and basil mixture on bread, and fill the sandwich with roasted vegetables such as asparagus, bell peppers, onions, and squash. This combination of flavours and textures creates a satisfying and tasty sandwich.

Goat Cheese and Spinach Pasta

Sauté spinach and onions, then add cooked pasta and crumbled goat cheese. This simple combination creates a creamy and flavourful pasta dish. You can also add other vegetables or proteins of your choice to create a heartier meal.

These recipes showcase the versatility of goat cheese in pasta dishes, and you can easily customise them to your taste preferences or dietary needs.

Frequently asked questions