Here at I Love Imported Cheese we’re obviously big fans of all kinds of imported cheeses for all occasions! But goat’s milk cheeses hold a special place in our heart for their unique tang, flavor and variety of textures from creamy and soft to crumbly and aged. Consider this Top 10 List our little love letter to imported goat cheese makers and our way of inspiring you to enjoy goat cheese in delicious new ways!
- Cheeseboards: When choosing cheeses for a board it’s always important to include a variety of milk types, ages, and textures for contrast. Goat cheeses of all kinds are a natural for their unique tang and texture! You can even make your own goat cheese centric snack platter as in our Goat Cheese 3 Ways with a mix of peppercorn and herb crusted, honey whipped, and mixed crostini with goat cheese. Or add one of these as a fun element to your next snack board.
Goat Cheese 3 Ways
- With Wine: Ask any sommelier about classic wine and food pairings and one involving goat cheese will inevitably come up! Its tart grassy flavors pair perfectly with the dry, fruity notes of Sauvignon Blanc and wines made from the grape such as French Sancerre from the Loire Valley. Not coincidentally, goat cheese originated in the Loire Valley! There’s a reason they say “what grows together, goes together”. In fact goat cheese is often referred to as “Chèvre” which simply means “Goat” in French.
- For a Crunchy Contrast: A French bistro classic that’s really simple to make at home; breaded, fried medallions of goat cheese provide an amazing textural contrast on so many dishes as in our Crispy Goat Cheese Salad with Arugula, Raspberries, and Pumpkin Seeds
Crispy Goat Cheese Salad
- With Fruit: The creamy, bright, lightly tart flavor of goat cheese pairs amazingly with all kinds of fruits and fruit jams on salads, snackboards, or even flatbreads as in our Summer Flatbread of Peaches, Goat Cheese, and Hot Honey
Summer Flatbreads 3 Ways
- In Baking: This one may surprise you! Goat cheese can be used interchangeably with cream cheese in many baking recipes for tarts, cheesecakes and such. It lands an elegant edge to baked desserts as in our Mini Goat Cheese Cheesecakes with Berry Compote.
Goat Cheese Cheesecakes
- Hot and Melty: Soft goat cheeses in particular melt to a luscious, creamy, spreadable texture and are delicious in hot appetizers and entrees like our Baked Goat Cheese and Marinara Dip or in our Mushroom, Spinach, and Goat Cheese Crepes
- With Beets: A match made in heaven! There’s a reason why just about every roasted beet salad you see on the menu is topped with crumbled goat cheese. The earthy, lightly sweet flavor and deep red color of beets plays amazingly well with tart, crumbly, bright white goat cheese. We also love the pairing in our Beet Pesto and Goat Cheese Pizza for a fun twist.
- In a Dessert Course: Do as the Europeans do and serve an elegant cheese course in lieu of dessert featuring a variety of cheeses including goat cheese paired with fruit or jam. It’s a natural add to any after dinner board! For more tips on creating a dessert cheese course see our piece here.
- Spring & Summer Entertaining: As temperatures rise and we take more of our fun outdoors for picnics, barbecues, and backyard happy hour, the light bright flavor of goat cheeses make them the perfect choice to serve for any warm weather occasion. They also pair perfectly with many of your Farmer’s Market finds! Check out our tips on how to make a warm weather vibe snack board for inspiration.
Warm Weather Cheeseboard
- As a Gorgeous Garnish: Whether you shave aged goat cheese on your soup, crumble fresh chèvre on your salads, or drizzle melted goat cheese on grilled veggies; it makes the perfect bright garnish to take your cooking to the next level!
For more interesting facts about Goat Cheese Makers and the interesting origin of goat cheeses, see our piece here!
