Goat Cheese Spread With Fresh Spinach And Basil Food

GARLICKY HERBED GOAT CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Combine all the ingredients in a mini food processor. Pulse until just whipped and blended (and the herbs are well-distributed in small, even pieces), scraping down the sides of the bowl once or twice if needed. Transfer the goat cheese spread to a serving bowl (I like to place it off-center, as seen in the photos above), using the back of a large spoon to create a divet and swoosh.
• Just before serving, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and garnish with several dill fronds. This goat cheese spread is best served right away, but can be prepared in advance and stores well in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Store in a container with a tight-fitting lid.
• If you do not have a mini food processor or don't wish to use one: before proceeding, finely chop the herbs (it is especially important for the goat cheese to be at room temperature if mixing by hand) and mix everything together with a spoon or spatula until well incorporated. *I prefer to use a mini food processor, because it is quick, fast, and incorporates a little air into the goat cheese, creating a slightly whipped, lighter texture.

BAKED GOAT CHEESE DIP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Combine the goat cheese, cream cheese, parmesan and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a food processor and season with pepper; puree until smooth. Brush a 1-quart baking dish with olive oil, then spread the cheese mixture in the dish, mounding it slightly higher around the edge than in the middle. Bake until golden and heated through, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine the tomatoes, chives, vinegar, garlic, the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Spoon the tomato mixture on top of the dip. Serve with baguette slices.

RED PEPPER, SPINACH AND GOAT CHEESE DIP

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400ºF.
• Heat dressing in large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and peppers; cook, stirring constantly, 5 min. or until crisp-tender.
• Add spinach; cook, stirring frequently, 2 to 3 min. or just until wilted. Stir in pasta sauce; simmer over medium-low heat 5 min., stirring occasionally. Remove skillet from heat.
• Beat cream cheese and goat cheese in bowl with mixer until blended; spread onto bottom of 9-inch pie plate sprayed with cooking spray.
• Spoon pasta sauce mixture around edge of cream cheese mixture.
• Bake 18 to 20 min. or until dip is heated through.
• Top with basil.

SPINACH AND GOAT CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• In food processor while running, add all ingredients and process until well blended.
• Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before serving.
• Spread can be made one day ahead. Cover and refrigerate if so but make sure it stands out for 1 hour before serving.
• Serve on crackers, baguette slices or vegetables that you can dip with.

HOT, CREAMY SPINACH AND GOAT CHEESE DIP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425°F.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes, until golden. Add the spinach by handfuls as it shrinks down until it is all added and very wilted, about 5 minutes in all. If there looks to be significant excess liquid in the pan, transfer it to a strainer or colander and gently press it to extract any extra liquid.
• Return the skillet to the heat and add the milk, cream cheese, goat cheese and about half the Parmesan and whisk occasionally over medium heat until the cheese is melted and everything is smooth, about 3 minutes. Add the Worcestershire, hot sauce and salt and pepper, and whisk to combine.
• Transfer it to a three or four cup baking dish, sprinkle over the rest of the Parm,and bake until bubbly and golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve hot.

FRESH GOAT CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl with a fork, mash goat cheese with enough cream to make a spreadable consistency. Add basil, green onion, garlic, and salt, to taste. Mix well. Garnish with fresh nasturtium flowers, if available, and serve with warm tortillas alongside. To eat, spread a few spoonfuls of goat cheese mixture inside a tortilla and roll up.

GOAT CHEESE SPREAD WITH FRESH SPINACH AND BASIL

Steps:

• Spoon the yogurt onto several layers of heavy-duty paper towels; spread the yogurt to a 1/2 inch thickness. Cover with additional paper towels; let stand for 5 minutes to remove the excess moisture.
• Position the knife blade in a food processor bowl; scrape yogurt into the bowl, using a rubber spatula. Add the goat cheese and olive oil; process until smooth, stopping once to scrape down the sides. Add the spinach, basil, and red pepper; process until the spinach is chopped.
• Spoon the mixture into a bowl; cover and chill at least 2 hours. Serve with assorted crackers.