Creative Ideas for Goat Cheese Lovers

Europe has known for years that goat cheese is a delicious, creamy and versatile cheese with many culinary uses and pairings. However, here in the States goat's milk and goat products have not been popular food products. Because of the "food revolution" over the past decade and the new proliferation of international ingredients and tastes, goat cheese is widely available and fairly inexpensive. Here are some creative ways to showcase this mild yet unique tasting cheese.

Goat cheese is mild, creamy yet crumbly with a distinct almost grassy undertone. However, it's easy enough to dress up this delicious cheese without overwhelming its flavor. Slice goat cheese into rounds and dredge in panko or fine breadcrumbs. Then fry them quickly in hot oil or broil to make them crispy on the outside and melty on the inside. These hot treats are great plain, in salads, or on top of crostini or bruschetta. You could also wrap up a log of herbed goat cheese topped with chopped tomatoes and capers with either puff pastry or phyllo dough sheets. Brush with butter or olive oil and bake until the dough is golden brown.

I like to use a mixture of goat cheese and lowfat cream cheese to make creamy sauces. I sear my meat, such as chicken thighs, then remove it and sauté my veggies in olive oil. I deglaze the pan with some wine and add back the meat. After the wine has reduced and the meat is cooked through I add about 2-3 ounces of each cheese and stir until creamy. It's a perfect dish over pasta, rice, or some wilted fresh spinach.

For an easy spread or dip mix together softened goat cheese, lowfat cream cheese, lemon zest and a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice, chopped fresh herbs, and a teaspoon of diced shallot or garlic. This is a great spread for bagels and salmon, English muffins and sliced tomatoes, bruschetta and chopped olives, etc. You could also use this as a stuffing for fish, shrimp or chicken breasts along with some chopped artichoke hearts and sautéed wild mushrooms.

Of course goat cheese can make a sweet dessert slightly more savory. Mix plain goat cheese with some lowfat plain yogurt, a drizzle of honey, cinnamon and lemon zest. Poach some red Bosc pears in white wine and top with the cheese mixture. Sprinkle with some chopped, toasted nuts such as walnuts or almonds and an extra dusting of cinnamon.

Goat cheese is such a sweetly versatile cheese and its unique, fresh flavor will wake up anyone's palate and appetite. Hopefully these ideas will inspire you to find new ways to use this delicious cheese or to try it if you never have before.