Herbandgarlicgoatcheesetruffles Recipes

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.

GOAT CHEESE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment.
• Add the goat cheese, sour cream and salt to the bowl of a food processor and process until smooth, about 30 seconds. Using a tablespoon, scoop out some of the mixture and roll it into a ball to form a truffle. Place on the prepared baking sheet and repeat until you have 24 truffles. Transfer to the freezer to firm up, about 10 minutes.
• Put the dill and sesame seeds into separate small bowls. Mix the walnuts and cherries in a third small bowl.
• Roll 8 of the cheese balls in the dill, 8 in the sesame seeds and 8 in the walnut and cherry mixture. Transfer the truffles to a serving platter. Insert a pretzel stick into each truffle. If making ahead of time, cover and refrigerate the balls without the pretzel sticks, then insert the sticks right before serving.

HERB GARLIC BAKED GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• 1. In small saucepan heat oil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic, rosemary, orange zest and red pepper. Cook, uncovered, for 3 to 5 minutes or until garlic is golden, stirring frequently.
• 2. Cut cheese into 8 even pieces. Place in 1-quart gratin dish or 9-inch pie plate. Sprinkle with cranberries. Pour garlic oil over top. Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees F for 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese is warm. Serve warm with KEEBLER TOWN HOUSE Flatbread Crisps - Sea Salt and Olive Oil.
• Entwine Pairing: Chardonnay (rich, garlicky cheese gets tempered by the wine's apple notes)
• Nutrition Information:
• Serving Size: 1.5 oz. cheese mixture plus 4 crackers; Calories 250, Calories From Fat 160, Saturated Fat 9g, Trans Fat 0g, Total Fat 18g, Cholesterol 30mg, Sodium 300mg, Total Carbohydrates 13g, Sugars 4g, Dietary Fiber 1g, Protein 9g, Vitamin A 10%, Vitamin C 2%, Calcium 10%, Iron 4%

CHOCOLATE GOAT CHEESE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Melt the chocolate chips in the top of a double boiler over simmering water, stirring until it is smooth and completely melted. Remove chocolate from heat and allow to cool slightly.
• Meanwhile lightly whip goat cheese and vanilla until fluffy and light. And chocolate and continue mixing until well combined. Chill mixture, covered, for 1 hour, or until firm.
• Form heaping teaspoons of the chilled mixture into balls (1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter). If the texture is too crumbly, allow it to warm at room temperature for a few minutes until it is workable. Chill balls and roll in cocoa powder to finish. Truffles should be kept chilled in an airtight container.