Last Updated on 3 months by THE CHEESE TEAM
Looking for inspiration for your next goat’s cheese salad? Look no further than our most recent special in our Lincoln-based café.
Our Summer salad features toasted sourdough topped with onion jam and grilled goat’s cheese, served on dressed leaves, and topped with pickled beetroot, honey, and toasted pumpkin seeds. It has gone down a real treat!
Goat’s cheese salads are a fantastic way to use leftover ingredients, while also being incredibly delicious and perfect for those warmer days.
If you need some help creating a new salad combination, check out our guide on crafting the perfect goat’s cheese salad.
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Step 1: Pick Your Base
All salads need a good base to support the cheese. We like to use salad leaves in most of our salads, as they provide a nice crunch without overpowering the other flavours.
Ask yourself: is my base for bulk or flavour? Lettuce and spinach may provide a more subtle leafy base, as opposed to rocket which packs its own flavour, and will need to be paired more carefully with other ingredients.
It is also worth noting that some salads don’t need leaves at all. The most common example would be a fennel and goat’s cheese salad, which usually has a base of fennel and apple – not a leaf in sight!
Step 2: Bread
We love using toasted sourdough in our salads, as a vessel for the cheese. We recommend using crusty bread varieties, such as sourdough or French baguette, as these crisp up better when toasted, and provide a savoury, crunchy texture.
Another great way to use bread in your salads is to add croutons. Croutons are excellent for providing a different texture, without being too heavy. Making your own croutons is also a good way to use up bread that is starting to go stale.
Step 3: Goat’s Cheese
This is where the fun starts!
Goat’s cheeses are so varied in taste and texture that they are incredibly versatile. They can be as strong or mild, or as crumbly or creamy as you want.
If you want to grill your goat’s cheese, we recommend firmer varieties like Ferme Chevre. These hold their shape when heated and develop that beautiful golden brown colour. You can see Ferme Chevre in the image at the top of this post.
If it’s a really strong goat flavour you want, why not try a French style? Cabri D’Ici is a strong, creamy variety which works perfectly spread over crusty bread and topped with thyme honey to balance the flavour.
Want a more unusual flavour? Add a flavoured goat’s cheese like Goat’s Gouda with Fenugreek, or Cabra Carino.
Cabra Carino is a honey-infused goat’s cheese which brings an addictive sweetness without taking away from the freshness of the goat’s milk. Imagine a honey-infused cheese crumbled over fresh peaches and Parma ham – heavenly!
Step 4: Accompaniments
So, now you have your essentials, it is time to experiment with ingredients! We have compiled a list of potential additions to spice up your salads, plus some classic combinations that never fail to please.
- Toasted hazelnuts.
- Toasted pecans.
- Roasted aubergines and courgettes.
- Apples and balsamic glaze.
- Walnuts and pears.
- Sundried tomato and avocado.
- Watermelon and red onion.
- Green lentils and roasted tomatoes.
- Blueberries and spinach.
- Shredded Brussels sprouts.
- Watercress and orange.
- Figs and balsamic vinegar.
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With these tips and ideas, you’re well on your way to creating your own sensational goat’s cheese salads. Remember, the key is to balance textures and flavours to create a dish that’s not only delicious but also visually appealing. Whether you stick to the classics or venture into new combinations, there’s no wrong way to enjoy goat’s cheese in a salad.
So, head to your kitchen, get creative, and don’t forget to share your creations with us @thecheesesociety .
We can’t wait to see what you come up with! Happy salad making!