goat cheese. stinky or tasty?
i would like to try goat cheese. i heard it taste like feta, which i love. but i don't wanna spend on something that taste like a goat. any suggestions on how to use it?
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52 Comments:
The first time I tried goat cheese, I was told, "It tastes the way a goat smells." I tried it anyway. It did. And I was hooked.
I like to have goat cheese in as uncomplicated a delivery system as possible. On a cracker with a small piece of roasted pepper on top or if I'm feeling funky, some of my peach chipotle jam. I also love to nut-encrust rounds of goat cheese, saute quickly (it softens!) and use the rounds to dress up a salad.
therealchiffonade at 7:57PM on 10/08/08
Goat cheese is delicious! It DOES NOT "taste like a goat smells." It's just a bit tangy, and has a great smooth texture. If you like feta, you'll probably like it. One of my favorite ways to have it is spread on sourdough toast and topped with apricot preserves. It's also great tossed with pasta and tomatoes, or in my new favorite dinner, spread on toasted whole wheat English muffins that are then topped with garlic-sauteed greens and a butter-fried egg.
producestories at 8:05PM on 10/08/08
@chiff I didn't mean the strong contradiction (about goat smell) btw, I just meant to say goat cheese isn't goaty in a gross way!
producestories at 8:07PM on 10/08/08
I love the wonderful flavor of goat cheese. I owned some sheep once, but never a goat. I can't say what a goat smells like, but the end result of the cheese is, well, delicious!!
izatryt at 8:16PM on 10/08/08
weird, i don't think goat cheese even has that strong of a smell!
it definitely has a tang, and is deliciously smooth. i LOVE it on everything. agree with every use therealchiffonade suggested -- with red pepper, in a salad, etc.
experiment! even if you think it's a bit weird the first time around try again, i promise you'll like it.
megannesta at 8:21PM on 10/08/08
thanks. the rolled in nuts and the muffin with egg sounds yummy.
dearrie at 8:44PM on 10/08/08
Slice some dried figs. Marinate them with enough balsamic to almost cover for at least a few hours. Slice some baguete rounds. Top each baguette rounds with 1-2 fig slices and 1 tsp soft goat cheese. Bake until melty. Goat cheese perfection!
PeanutButter at 9:21PM on 10/08/08
There are a LOT of different kinds of goat cheese. Just like cow's cheese or sheep's cheese, some are smelly, some aren't.
The most common is chevre, which is a cream cheese with a tang to it. It's more grainy than regular cream cheese, but still very smooth. MMMMMMM.
cmtigger at 9:43PM on 10/08/08
I love all cheese but one: soft goat cheese. I just can't aquire that strange zing that hits after a few seconds. The zing is not like feta.
smile at 12:35AM on 10/09/08
"@chiff I didn't mean the strong contradiction..."
------------------
That's ok, Chiff has freely admitted she's hooked on the smell of goats, and I think we should applaud her for being so open and honest.
Sure, it may seem a little weird, but who are we to judge.
:-)
FastFoodCritic at 1:29AM on 10/09/08
Definitely start with a mild chevre. Ask the cheese monger to recommend something mild for beginners. I hated goat cheese for a long time, imagined that it tasted like licking a goat. But a mild goat cheese with nice bread and roasted peppers helped me learn to appreciate the taste, and now I love even the strongest stuff.
It's not quite like feta, since feta is so salty from the brine. But sometimes feta is made from a blend of sheep and goat milk.
renzata at 1:31AM on 10/09/08
If you go to a shop that cares about its cheeses, you should be able to taste before you buy. Even Whole Foods will let you sample, if you simply ask.
renzata at 1:32AM on 10/09/08
There's a local goat dairy near me that makes and sells a pretty wide variety of cheeses from feta to chevre to gouda to cheeses that are very similar to parmesan. At the farmer's market, they offer tastes of most of what they're selling.
Many markets (including, lately, one of the local chain stores) will also offer tastes of cheeses that you're thinking about buying. If you can find a place that offers tastes of the cheeses, you can decide if you like it before you buy it. Which makes a lot of sense if you spending a decent amount of money on a cheese that you're not familiar with.
dbcurrie at 2:21AM on 10/09/08
Yeah, just to echo - I thought I hated goat cheese because in fact, the first one I tried was too goaty. I don't know if that's attributed to the processing or something more nuanced like the goat's diet, but it was entirely too strong.
Then I tried a more mild cheese on a simple pizza, and liked it - it really depends on the cheese. See if you can go to a specialty deli that might let you sample a little before buying. Or, if you try one in a restaurant dish that you like, be sure to ask where it's from.
savecara at 11:02AM on 10/09/08
goat cheese is delicious
my favorite? firefly farms out of maryland
(fireflyfarms.com)
gastronomeg at 11:25AM on 10/09/08
You all either have some funky cheese or some delicious smelling goats. Say yes to goat cheese!
zoverman at 4:23PM on 10/09/08
TASTY! ;-O
PerkyMac at 4:32PM on 10/09/08
Depends. Mostly, stinky. Pungent would be more accurate. Generally not my preferred flavor, but I've definitely had some that were absolutely delish. Just not very often.
LoCo at 4:44PM on 10/09/08
I really didn't care all at for goat cheese the first time I tried it. Then one day I purchased a small ball from a local artesan cheese maker. Came home, topped it with pepper jelly and sprinkled with toasted nuts and served with crackers. Oh my...I was hooked!
kalajo at 4:55PM on 10/09/08
Love it - fresh and aged. Was able to visit a dairy farm earlier this year and got to taste really, really fresh cheese - sweet, creamy, and mildly grassy. I try to use it in place of cream cheese when I can. I've had a few of the aged French varieties too - fragrant, but so delicious.
renoles at 5:40PM on 10/09/08
LOVE goat cheese. I've enjoyed it many different ways. It's super crumbled over salads with a tangy vinaigrette and roasted beets. Or if you are up to it, lightly breaded and fried/baked to accompany a frisse salad.
One summer my girlfriends and I were hooked on baby spinach, sliced strawberries, goat cheese, candied pecans, with a raspberry-walnut vinaigrette. Crostini spread with goat cheese, broiled, floated in a bowl of soup.
A friend of mine grew up on a reservation where they had goats. I don't know what goats smell like, but this guy will not go near anything that came from a goat. I just say, more goat cheese for me.
wookie at 6:19PM on 10/09/08
dont be scared!! goat cheese is FANTASTIC! Its tangy and smooth and just delicious.. it has a different texture than feta and a little more tang.I crumble it on greens with walnuts, really really crispy fiji apples, and grilled chicken breast...
hungrygrl7 at 8:08PM on 10/09/08
great with smoked salmon in place of cream cheese.... or in a green salad with pistachios and pears.... fresh goat cheese....
aged goat is good for grating on pasta, also.....
pooch at 8:55PM on 10/09/08
i guess i'm going to whole foods this weekend. cheese man here i come.
dearrie at 8:58PM on 10/09/08
I have never met a goat cheese I didn't love. Some women like roses or chocolate, but if my boyfriend wants to bring me a treat, it's usually a log of goat cheese. Is that weird?
nosillak at 9:03PM on 10/09/08
no . i get tomatoe sauce go figure.
dearrie at 9:30PM on 10/09/08
I am going to have a chat with DH. When he thinks I need a spontaneous gift, he brings me tawny port ~
izatryt at 9:48PM on 10/09/08
i'd rather get a cruise. let someone else cook for me. christmas list where are you?
dearrie at 9:52PM on 10/09/08
The last spontaneous gift my bf got me was Indian food - he knew I would be spending my day driving 450+ miles for a work day trip so when he ordered himself Indian food for lunch, he ordered a veggie korma entree to go so that I could have some when I got home.
But I love goat cheese too! I like it in salads, and my latest new twist with it was in cottage cheese muffins (google if you've never heard of if) with cranberries and mint. I got a few nice pears in my CSA pick up today and plan to grill them up, cut side down, and then top with balsamic glaze and goat cheese.
joyyy at 12:33AM on 10/10/08
I cook for my clients foods with goat cheese from time to time like on pizza, salads, pastas, and stuffed in chicken breasts.
pjracz10 at 4:20AM on 10/10/08
I also often describe it as somewhere between cream cheese and feta in both taste and texture. The mild stuff, at least, which is found pretty much anywhere.
Personally, I love green olives & goat cheese, and sandwiches with goat cheese, apples, raisins, walnuts, and honey.
stratusgd at 9:44AM on 10/10/08
Dearie, Stinky? Tasty? It's both!
I find that it's less salty than a feta, creamier, and has a bit of a 'musky' flavour (right word?) It took me a bit to get used to and it's grown to be one of my faves! I'm with stratusgd with walnuts, honey and fruit. The flavours marry so well. I like it as a 'salad' or 'sandwich' cheese. I also think it goes well with roasted red peppers, and grilled/charred flavours.
I think you should give it a shot--just expect the unexpected!
Can't say anything until you try it, right!? :)
hungrychristel at 12:23PM on 10/10/08
For you, I would say try Queso Blanco (it's a little closer to feta then chevre)
I lived in France last semester and ate a lot of Chevre and found it to be a little to tangy, "goaty" for my taste. But goat cheese has a unique flavor and I wanted to give goat cheese another shot, so I went to the farmer's market yesterday and got Queso Blanco- a mild type of goat's cheese that has a bit of salt added. Chevre has no salt added so Queso Blanco might be a better place for you to start if you like Feta.
I crumbled it onto a flatbread with sliced figs, caramelized onions, and arugula (recipe from Runner's World magazine), baked for 15 minutes and it was to die for.
oatmealscoop at 12:51PM on 10/10/08
wow oatmealscoop! that flatbread sounds wicked; i'll be trying that :) thanks!
hungrychristel at 1:09PM on 10/10/08
I can't believe no one has pointed out that Cevre means GOAT. It is not a type of goat cheese.
pemabuk at 2:31PM on 10/10/08
It was only a few years ago that I had my first goat cheese experience. Age 28 let's say. Too old to have gone this long without it.
It was a restaurant. Italian, and it was on a cheese platter.
A ball of goat cheese, 3/4 inch in diameter, rolling generously in freshly cracked black pepper. Maybe some other spices, but just pepper I think.
Few things have been in my mouth that have been that densely tasteful.
bearsarefree at 2:45PM on 10/10/08
I personally like goat cheese! You can slather it on some bread with tomatoes and olives for a great sandwich or eat it on crackers. It's kind of like a mix between feta and ricotta. That's my two cents.
Hillary
Chew on That
Chew on That at 5:01PM on 10/10/08
can't it be both!? YUMMMMMMMMMMM! [I like tossing little bits in my quiche, FYI]
sakuraa at 5:09PM on 10/10/08
Yuk, I DETEST any kind of goat cheese! Cow's milk cheese -- love them all, but the stronger and stinkier the better. Sheep's milk cheese -- starting to verge on yukky, but I can tolerate it. But goat -- no way!
Channa at 5:15PM on 10/10/08
well folks. i went to whole foods after work all prepared for the unexpected. they were very excited to let me sample different cheeses. i must confess i was not as prepared as i thought. i usually love to try new things. so much so my family and friends have thrown up in the street getting into their cars. i've even heard my sister scream chrisitne from her bathroom downstairs. " too much red pepper flakes on the steaks." with a bad case of ring of fire. ha ha . but this goat cheese thing made my toes curl. like a taste of lemon when your a kid. i might have made some kind of sound because they all started laughing. after a cracker break i tried another milder nicer pc..this time it was better, i think it going to take some experimenting and lots of crackers.
dearrie at 9:29PM on 10/10/08
not only do i love goat cheese, i always buy goat milk and goat's milk yogurt. i love the muskiness and it's much healthier than cows' milk.
cybercita at 10:32PM on 10/10/08
i don't think i'll go that far. i do love cows
dearrie at 11:07PM on 10/10/08
Nope. Tried it many times. Still tastes like goat. I've eaten goat and it's not great. I just can't do it even though I want to in order to eat the creations of amazing chefs in local restaurants. Still goat cheese is just not my thing....
oregonpinot at 12:59AM on 10/11/08
Love love love it. One of my favorite foods in the world :)
Sues
wearenotmartha at 3:54PM on 10/12/08
just came back from the store , fresh figs and goat cheese are my next adventure. went apple and pumpkin picking in hollis, nh.. this morning. i feel creative this afternoon. who knows what will happen. i've never had figs before. this could get scary.
dearrie at 4:06PM on 10/12/08
I hated it as a kid; however, as an adult I love it! My favorite ways to eat goat cheese (typically chevre) are simple.
1) On crackers with fruit or preserves
2) On veggies or crackers with chopped marinated artichoke hearts stirred in (warmed through if I feel like it)
3) Over bowtie pasta, used in a sauce. Typically a thick slice of chevre mixed with a tablespoon of parmesan, a splash of milk, and a bit of pesto w/black pepper. I just lightly drain the pasta then add all of the sauce ingredients until melted and combined.
I haven't really met a cheese I didn't like. Goat's milk brie-style cheese is good too.
omnomnom at 5:34PM on 10/12/08
Don't smell-just eat. Your belly will thank you!
wendy6 at 8:54PM on 10/12/08
last night i had dinner at bouchon bakery -- farro mixed with vegetables and coach farm goat cheese. it was tremendously delicious!!
cybercita at 9:20PM on 10/12/08
I just picked up a small bit of chevre at the farmer's market in Sacramento this morning. Soft cheese rolled in dried herbs. I've bought this cheese before at the local natural foods co-op.
For the person who complained that chevre meant goat- it does mean goat, but it also is a word for goat cheese.
cmtigger at 9:50PM on 10/12/08
I adore goat cheese, just adore it! And yes, chevre is also a word for goat cheese.
baboo at 11:13PM on 10/12/08
Can anyone recommend good goat cheese brands? I haven't had anything that I've enjoyed yet. Maybe I just expect it to taste like cow's milk cheese . . .
AFreeman at 11:33AM on 10/13/08
i've just started eating this. so far i like it on a toasted slice of italian bread rubbed with a garlic clove.and olive oil, a slice of roasted pepper, not the stuff in a jar, and a slice of roasted tomato. topped with a piece of the cheever rolled in herbs. make a pile and bake until its warm. about 3 minutes. oh my lord is it good.
mctigger....thanks for the idea. the herbs made a big difference.
dearrie at 3:31PM on 10/13/08