Herbed Goat Cheese Spread With Mint 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.

HERBED GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Find a small, wide-mouth canning jar or small glass vase (3 1/2 inches in diameter by 4 inches high), just large enough to hold the two goat cheeses on top of each other with a little room to spare. Cut each cheese in half horizontally, making 2 rounds from each. (A piece of dental floss makes this easier.)
• Place half of the first disk flat in the jar, sprinkle with salt and pepper, then with 1/2 teaspoon dill, 1 teaspoon basil, and a few red pepper flakes, and drizzle with 1/2 tablespoon olive oil. Place another disk of cheese on top and repeat the seasonings, herbs, and oil. Continue with the remaining cheese disks, piling one on top of the other with oil and seasonings in between. When all the disks are stacked and seasoned, drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil on top. Cover and set aside at room temperature for one hour or refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Serve at room temperature with bread or crackers for people to help themselves.

HERBED GOAT CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• In a medium bowl crumble goat cheese. Meanwhile in a small chilled bowl, whip cream until thickened; stir into goat cheese.
• Stir in herbs, shallot, lemon peel, and garlic. Season to taste with sea salt and pepper. Thin with additional cream, if desired. Serve on toasted baguette slices.

HERB COATED GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Arrange the bread slices on 2 heavy baking sheets. Drizzle 3 tablespoons of olive oil over the bread slices. Bake until the crostini are pale golden and crisp, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, stir the herbs, lemon zest, pepper, and salt in a medium bowl to blend. Using about 2 teaspoons of cheese for each, form the goat cheese into 1-inch diameter balls. Roll the cheese balls in the herb mixture to coat completely. Arrange the cheese balls on a platter. Drizzle the extra-virgin olive oil over and around the cheese balls. Serve with the crostini. Garnish with herb sprigs.
• The crostini and cheese balls can be prepared 1 day ahead. Store the crostini in an airtight container at room temperature. Cover and refrigerate the cheese balls.

HERBED GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Add the goat cheese, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, thyme and pepper to a stand mixer fitted with the beater attachment. Mix on low speed until you have a smooth, blended paste, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the mixer bowl and mix again. With the mixer on low speed, slowly pour in the lemon juice and beer; mix until all of the liquid is absorbed. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix one last time to ensure all the ingredients are fully incorporated and evenly dispersed.

HERBED GOAT CHEESE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• To make the spread: Place the cream cheese, goat cheese, garlic, thyme, parsley, 5 tablespoons milk, salt, and pepper in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until well mixed. Add an additional tablespoon of milk if the spread is very thick.
• To make the sandwiches: spread each slice of the bread with the goat cheese spread. Slice the cucumber into thin rounds and arrange on half of the bread slices. Top with the remaining bread and press slightly. Cut the sandwiches into halves, thirds, or triangles.

HERBED GOAT CHEESE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• For the spread, place the cream cheese, goat cheese, garlic, thyme, parsley, 5 tablespoons milk, salt and pepper in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until well mixed. Add an additional tablespoon of milk if the spread is very thick. To make the sandwiches, spread each slice of bread with the goat cheese spread. Slice the cucumber into thin rounds and arrange on half of the bread slices. Top with the remaining bread. Press slightly, trim off the crusts and cut the sandwiches into halves, thirds or triangles. Make these sandwiches in the morning, then cover with damp paper towels and plastic wrap and refrigerate. Cut just before serving.

HERBED GOAT CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in the bowl of a small food processor; process until well combined. Serve on bread, if desired.

HERB AND LEMON GOAT CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Place goat cheese in small bowl.
• Mix thyme, lemon peel and garlic in another small bowl. Season with black pepper.
• Mix half of thyme mixture into goat cheese.
• Add olive oil to remaining half of thyme mixture.
• Form cheese into 2 1/2-inch round; flatten slightly.
• Place in center of plate. Spoon oil-thyme mixture over top of cheese.
• Serve with toasted baguette slices.

HERBED GOAT CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Process all of the ingredients in a food processor until smooth, about 1 minute.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste and transfer to a serving bowl.
• Serve with crackers or a thinly sliced baguette.

HERBED GOAT CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• In the bowl of a food processor, process cream cheese and goat cheese together until creamy and well combined. Add salt, pepper, lemon juice, parsley, tarragon, dill, and chives; pulse until thoroughly combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Transfer spread to an airtight container.

HERBED GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Arrange cheese on a small plate. Sprinkle with oregano, red-pepper flakes, and lemon zest. Season to taste with salt and pepper and drizzle with oil. Serve immediately with crostini or crackers.

HERB AND LEMON GOAT CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Place goat cheese in small bowl. Mix thyme, lemon peel and garlic in another small bowl; season with ground black pepper. Mix half of thyme mixture into goat cheese. Add olive oil to remaining half of thyme mixture. Form cheese into 2 1/2-inch round; flatten slightly. Place in center of plate. Spoon oil-thyme mixture over top of cheese. Surround cheese with baguette slices and serve.