Simple Fresh Goat Cheese Recipes

GOAT CHEESE WITH FRESH DILL

Steps:

• Place the packages of goat cheese into the freezer to slightly harden, about 15 minutes.
• Finely chop the dill and spread it out a bit on the cutting board to let it dry for a few minutes.
• Remove the goat cheese from the packaging. Gently roll it over the fresh dill, coating it almost completely. It should look lovely and "mossy."
• Carefully wrap the roll snugly in plastic wrap and chill until it's time to serve. Serve with crackers.

SIMPLE FRESH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, heat milk until it reaches 180 degrees on an instant-read thermometer. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice. Let stand until set, about 15 seconds. If milk does not set, add a little more lemon juice.
• Line a colander with several layers of cheesecloth. Ladle set milk into colander. Tie the four corners of cheesecloth together; hang on the handle of a wooden spoon set over a deep bowl and let drain until it is the consistency of slightly dry cottage cheese, 1 to 2 hours. Transfer to a bowl and fold in salt and herbs, if desired. Store in an airtight container, refrigerated, up to 1 week.

SIMPLE HOMEMADE GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• in a a non-reactive pot on med-high, bring milk up to just below boiling while stirring gently but constantly. you'll see a bit of foam starting to form.
• add the vinegar and stir gently. if the milk doesn't curdle and separate cleanly right away then let it heat a few min longer or add a touch more vinegar a tsp at a time.
• drain in a strainer lined with several layers of cheesecloth or an old pillowslip that has been bleached and rinsed very well. that liquid you're pouring off is whey, btw, and useful. you might want to catch it in a big bowl.
• move your cheese to a mixing bowl and stir in salt to taste. add heavy cream to make it smoother if desired.
• you can press into mini quiche dishes (line with more cheesecloth so you can un-mold cleanly) and refrigerate overnight to solidify if desired. you can also form into a log and roll it in herbs or marinate it in flavored olive oil. be sure to wrap tightly before storing for up to two weeks but i doubt it will last that long! the whey can be used for baking or boiling in place of water to add some extra protein and vitamins. you can also give it to your pets or water your plants or lots of other things. make a protein shake with some fruit perhaps. happy cheese making!

PASTA WITH FRESH TOMATOES AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, thyme, red-pepper flakes and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mash with a fork or potato masher until tomatoes are juicy. Stir in the Parmesan. Set aside while the pasta cooks, or up to 2 hours at room temperature.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
• To the bowl of tomatoes, add the goat cheese and 2 tablespoons of the reserved pasta cooking water. Stir until the cheese is mostly melted. Add the pasta and stir vigorously until the noodles are well coated. Add more pasta water as needed until the sauce coats the noodles. Season to taste with additional Parmesan and red-pepper flakes.

MARINATED FRESH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Place cheeses in a jar; add oil to cover. Add peppercorns, thyme, and dried chile peppers to taste. Cover jar tightly, and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Drain before serving.

BAKED GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Press goat cheese to fit the shape of a small baking dish, leaving a 1-inch border around the edge. Gently spoon marinara sauce around the border, taking care to cover the edge of goat cheese but not the middle. Sprinkle with salt.
• Bake in the preheated oven until goat cheese is hot and soft and marinara sauce is hot and bubbling, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and sprinkle with basil.