Smitten With Goat Cheese

We are smitten with goat cheese and wanted to share this goat cheese recipe from Smitten Kitchen. This Sweet Potatoes with Pecans and Goat Cheese recipe combines celery, shallots, dried cranberries, toasted pecans and crumbled goat cheese. Check out this goat cheese recipe on the Smitten Kitchen blog or by clicking here.

Looking for even more goat cheese recipes? Check out the “Goat Cheese” cookbook by Maggie Foard by clicking here.

photo credit: www.smittenkitchen.com

Love and Olive Oil’s Balsamic Onion Tart with Goat Cheese and Thyme

This talented couple creates culinary masterpieces featured on their blog, Love and Olive Oil. They said, ” everything is better when sprinkled with goat cheese” and we couldn’t agree more! The Balsamic Onion Tart with Goat Cheese and Thyme recipe looks delicious with the combination of ingredients like brown sugar, cayenne pepper and goat cheese. Check out all their goat cheese recipes on their blog by clicking here.

Looking for even more goat cheese recipes? Check out the “Goat Cheese” cookbook by Maggie Foard by clicking here.

Photo credit: www.loveandoliveoil.com

“Get The Goat!” from Say Cheese: For Cheese Lovers Magazine

In the Summer 2010 edition of Say Cheese: For Cheese Lovers they feature our favorite cheese… goat cheese! In the article “Get The Goat” they talk about goat cheese and we wanted to share some of the information with you!

” August is National Goat Cheese Month and if you need a reason to fall in love with this family of cheeses- for the first time or all over again– this is it. Flavors that range from fresh, clean, milky to sharp, assertive and endlessly expressive ensure that there’s a goat cheese for every palate.”

Obviously, we love goat cheese! You can find tons of original goat cheese recipes by clicking here. You can also check out Dory Foard’s Goat Cheese Cookbook. This cookbook is filled with mouth-watering goat cheese recipes.

In the following article titled, ” Who’s Counting?” they examine the calories of different cheeses compared to other foods we snack on. This list of foods included milk chocolate, potato chips, trail mix, and twenty types of cheeses. Fresh goat cheese was the least caloric at of all of them! At only 70 calories per ounce, fresh goat cheese seems to be the best choice. This is just one more reason why we think goat cheese is the best cheese!

Gourmet Goat’s Recipe for Goat Cheese Croissants

Not only does goat milk make our goat milk soaps super rich and nourishing, but it can also be a nutritious ingredient in your kitchen. Gourmet Goat loves to share her favorite recipes made with goat milk and goat cheese, and here is her latest: Goat Cheese Croissants.

Goat Cheese Croissants:

Gourmet Goat loved the Goat Cheese Puffs so much that she wanted to make them again for her friends. Unfortunately, the grocery store didn’t have any puff pastry. Gourmet Goat had to adapt and decided to try making Goat Cheese Croissants. This recipe is really easy and quick. Goat Cheese Croissants make a great last minute appetizer or snack.

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces Herbed Goat Cheese
• 1 Package Large Croissant Rolls

Directions:

1. Heat oven to the suggested temperature on the croissant package.
2. Unroll the croissant dough and separate the triangles, lying them flat.
3. Place about a tablespoon of goat cheese at the base of the triangle (the straight edge portion opposite the point of the triangle).
4. Roll the croissant and try to pinch together both sides to keep the goat cheese inside.
5. Place the croissants on a cooking sheet and cook for 12-16 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Cool for a few minutes before serving.

Want more goat cheese recipes? Check out Maggie Foard’s cookbook, “Goat Cheese.”

Recipe created by our social media and marketing intern, Taylor.

Photo credit: Taylor Harkins

Goat Book Recommendations: “Goat Song” and “The Bucolic Plague”

We recently befriended a Chivas customer, named Cathy, who raises two Nubian goats on her farm in New Hampshire.  It was such a joy to talk to a fellow goat-owner, as we had much in common to talk about.  She recommended two books about raising goats that we are excited to read soon.  For now, Gossip Goat wanted to share the recommendations with you.  Once we read them, we’ll share our comments too!

#1 – Goat Song: A Seasonal Life, A Short History of Herding and The Art of Making Cheese (Brad Kessler)

About the Book: “Kessler’s account of tending a small herd of milking goats in Vermont captures both the lush, poetic paradise of rural life and the raw, unrelenting drama of dairying. Kessler, a Saab-driving ex-Manhattanite, purchases two Nubian goats, breeds them and helps his wife, Dona, a trained doula, attend to the birth of four goat kids the following spring. The amusing zoomorphic and anthropomorphic descriptions, where goats forage as if they were at a sample sale and milk-fed kids stagger like street junkies, dissipate as Kessler endures a season of goat wrangling, haying and hunting coyotes. Kessler gives the legal aspects of unpasteurized cheese a cursory inspection; his devotion centers on a budding relationship with animals, the earth and goat cheese. He’s a back-to-the-land naturalist, who supports his detailed personal observations with extensive research as he explores the cultural, historical and biological aspects of pastoralism. While the tome’s lengthy poetic journal entries on animal husbandry and cheese making hardly qualify as a comprehensive manual, the observant, unsanctimonious read is bound to inspire hobby farmers and consummate cheese lovers.” (from Publisher’s Weekly)

#2 – The Bucolic Plague: How Two Manhattanites Became Gentlemen Farmers: An Unconventional Memoir (Josh Kilmer-Purcell0)

About the Book: “Raised in rural Wisconsin, Kilmer-Purcell moved to Manhattan to work in advertising in the 1990s. In his memoir ‘I Am Not Myself These Days’, he wrote about moonlighting as a nightclub drag queen. Now he recalls how he and his partner, Dr. Brent Ridge, a Martha Stewart Omni Media V-P, became weekend farmers after purchasing the 19th-century Beekman Mansion on 60 acres near the hauntingly beautiful town of Sharon Springs, N.Y. Kilmer-Purcell writes with dramatic flair and trenchant wit, uncovering mirthful metaphors as he plows through their daily experiences, meeting neighbors, signing on caretaker Farmer John, herding goats, canning tomatoes, and digging a garden, as they fix up the 205-year-old house. Cleverly contrasting ad agency life with rustic barn mucking, he must choose: I just can’t face spending the rest of my life behind a desk selling dish soap to Middle America. Hell, I want to be Middle America. This entertaining book gets an extra big boost from the forthcoming Beekman Farm, a Planet Green documentary TV series about the dynamic duo’s eco-adventures scheduled to air this spring.” (from Publisher’s Weekly)

Quick & Easy Recipe for Goat Cheese String Beans

Not only does goat milk make our goat milk soaps super rich and nourishing, but it can also be a nutritious ingredient in your kitchen. Gourmet Goat loves to share her favorite recipes made with goat milk and goat cheese, and here is her latest: Goat Cheese String Beans.

Goat Cheese String Beans

Ingredients:

• 1 Bag String Beans in Microwavable Bag
• 1/2 Cup Bread Crumbs
• 2-3  Ounces Goat Cheese

Directions:

1. Microwave the string beans according to the instructions on the bag. Purchasing the sting beans in a microwavable bag makes this recipe quick and easy (plus, there is less clean up!)
2. Place the string beans on a serving dish or on a platter.
3. Break up the goat cheese into quarter-sized portions. Scatter these portions over the middle section of the green beans.
4. Sprinkle the bread crumbs on top of the goat cheese.
5. Serve while warm.

Note: these string beans make a healthy and colorful side dish.

Want to try other goat cheese recipes? Click here to see other recipes from Gourmet Goat.

Want a cookbook full of goat cheese recipes? Click here to see Maggie Foards cookbook “Goat Cheese.”

Enjoy wine with dinner? Click here to see “Pizza and Wine” it’s filled wine pairing suggestions.

Recipe: created by Taylor Harkins

Photo credit: Taylor Harkins

Need a Birthday Gift Idea? What About a Country Cooking Gift?

If you have a birthday party coming up, Gifting Goat can help! Just follow these 3 simple steps!

#1 – Pick an Apron Pattern

Simply Savvy Aprons makes adorable and unique aprons. We fell in love with the Country Girl apron and chose to go with a “country cooking” theme for the birthday gift. The apron has pockets, and a cute ruffles around it.

#2 – Pick a  Chivas goat milk soap

I thought the Lemongrass goat milk soap paired nicely with the “country” theme. There are tons of soaps to chose from, so if Lemongrass is not your favorite try Herb Garden goat milk soap or Santa Rosa Valley goat milk soap. Place the soap of your choice on a walnut soap dish and tie together with a ribbon.

#3 – Pick a Cookbook

Pick your favorite cookbook and write a sweet note on the inside cover. Maggie Foard’s cookbook “Goat Cheese” is a wonderful cookbook. The recipes are divine and include our favorite ingredient, goat cheese! The hard cover cookbook is filled with amazing photos and can be a coffee table book as well. Wrap the cookbook with the apron and place the soap dish on top.

Need a gift idea? Check out Gifting Goat’s suggestions!

Fresh Berries and Goat Cheese Spinach Salad

Not only does goat milk make our goat milk soaps super rich and nourishing, but it can also be a nutritious ingredient in your kitchen. Gourmet Goat loves to share her favorite recipes made with goat milk and goat cheese, and here is her latest: Fresh Berries and Goat Cheese Spinach Salad!

Fresh Berries and Goat Cheese Spinach Salad:

Ingredients:

• 1 Container of Strawberries
• 1 Container of Blackberries
• 8 Cups Spinach Leaves
• 1 Cup Candied Walnuts
• 3 Ounces Crumbled Goat Cheese
• 2 Cups Orange Juice
• Raspberry Vinaigrette
• 1 Loaf of Pumpernickel Bread
• Olive Oil

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 375 degree Fahrenheit.
2. Wash the strawberries, blackberries and spinach individually. After rinsing, pat the excess water off with a paper towel.
3. Cut the strawberries into quarters and place in a large bowl.
4. Pour the orange juice over the strawberries, making sure all the strawberries are covered.
5. Slice the bread at a slight angle and brush both sides with olive oil. Place the bread on a cookie sheet and cook for about 10 minutes.
6. In a large serving bowl or dish combine the spinach, blackberries and walnuts.
7. Remove the strawberries from the orange juice and add them to the salad.
8. Take the bread out of the oven after the 10 minutes or when it is evenly crunchy and set aside.
9. Add the crumbed goat cheese and then toss in the raspberry vinaigrette.
10. To serve, put a serving of the salad in the center of a large plate and place a piece of bread on the edge.

Want more goat cheese recipes? Check out Maggie Foard’s cookbook, “Goat Cheese.”

Recipe Created by our social media and marketing intern, Taylor.

Photo credit: Taylor Harkins

Gourmet Goat’s White Bean and Mushroom Goat Cheese Burgers

Not only does goat milk make our goat milk soaps super rich and nourishing, but it can also be a nutritious ingredient in your kitchen. Gourmet Goat loves to share her favorite recipes made with goat milk and goat cheese, and here is her latest: White Bean and Mushroom Goat Cheese Burgers. Not a fan of mushrooms? Don’t worry, you will barely taste them!

White Bean and Mushroom Goat Cheese Burgers:

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups White Mushrooms
• 1 Cup Yellow Onions
• 15 Ounce Can of Lightly-Salted White Beans
• 3 Cloves Garlic
• 1 Egg
• 2 teaspoons Dried Rosemary Leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon Sea Salt
• 1/8 teaspoon White Pepper
• 3/4 Cup Old Fashioned Oats
• 1 Cup Butter Lettuce
• 1/4 Cup Pine Nuts
• 2 Tablespoons Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
• 6 Whole Wheat English Muffins
• 1 Tablespoon Butter
• 4 Ounces Goat Cheese

Directions:

1. Wash and dab dry the mushrooms with a paper towel. Remove the stems and chop the caps.
2. Rinse and drain the white beans.
3. Chop the onion, 2 cloves of garlic, and lightly beat the egg.
4. Put the mushrooms, beans, onions, 2 cloves of garlic, egg, rosemary leaves, sea salt, and white pepper in a food processor. Mix until all the ingredients are combined. (Don’t over mix. The mixture should still be wet but not fully processed).
5. Put the mixture into a medium sized bowl and mix in the old fashioned oats.
6. Form the mixture into 6 individual patties. Brush each side of the patty with olive oil. Set aside.
7. To make the pesto, chop the last garlic clove, tear the butter lettuce into smaller pieces and put both ingredients into the food processor. Add the pine nuts and 2 Tablespoons of olive oil. Mix until a chunky paste is formed. Set aside.
8. Heat a grill pan or saute pan over medium-high heat. Cook the patties for 5 minutes on each side.
9. Toast the english muffins then lightly butter.
10. Spread the pesto on one side of the english muffin. Place pieces of goat cheese on top of the pesto. Add the grilled patty and the other side of the english.
11. Eat immediately!

Want more goat cheese recipes? Check out Maggie Foard’s cookbook, “Goat Cheese.”

Recipe Created by our social media and marketing intern, Taylor.

Photo credit: Taylor Harkins

Guru Goat Shares “Secrets of Longevity” from Dr. Maoshing Ni

Dr. Maoshing Ni shares his secrets in his book, ”Secrets of Longevity- Hundreds of Ways to Live to be 100.” Guru Goat started reading this book and wanted to share some of his secrets that she found most pertinent to natural health and skin care:

Secret #2: Gone With the Wind

” Common colds and flus can turn into serious respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, which claims many lives among the elderly. Eastern medicine sees colds and flus as “wind” disorders… Western medicine calls them adaptogens, which increase the body’s defense mechanisms and help the immune system work better in times of stress. They can be found separately in health food stores or in a formula called Jade Screen in Chinese pharmacies. In addition, wash your hands frequently with soap and water and inhale vapors from eucalyptus, oregano, and lavender tea, which are antibacterial, antiviral, and decongesting.” (page 129)

When washing your hands, try using one of our soaps made with these specific essential oils: eucalyptus, oregano and lavender.  Not only will these soaps keep your hands clean, soft and moisturized, but the pure essential oils in each of them will also have a light aromatherapeutic effect. 

Lavender Pine Chamomile goat milk soap: with lavender and eucalyptus essential oils, as well as pine, spruce needle and chamomile

Santa Rosa Valley goat milk soap: with lavender and eucalyptus essential oils, as well as orange, grapefruit and rose geranium

Lemongrass goat milk soaps: with lavender and eucalyptus essential oils, as well as lemongrass, tea tree and peppermint

Lavender Oatmeal goat milk soap: with lavender essential oil, as well as rosweood, rose geranium, and grapefruit

Note: We do not have any soaps made with oregano essential oil because the scent is quite pungent and not really pleasant for body care in our opinion.  Inhaling the vapors from this oil is still very effective.

Secret #1: Keep Cool on the Outside…

” Experiencing extremes of temperature can endanger one’s health and even one’s life. To strengthen the body and make it more resistant to environmental temperature changes, I recommend taking cold showers. This constricts the blood vessels at the surface and extremities of your body, driving tremendous blood flow into the internal organs to increase oxygenation and transport waste away from these vital body parts. If you are not used to the practice, however, acclimate yourself gradually. Begin by scrubbing your body with cold towels. After a few days, run your shower or bathwater at a slightly cooler temperature than you are used to, and use less hot water each week until you can switch to a completely cold shower.” ( page 246)

Of course, we recommend taking your cold shower with our one of the goat milk soaps mentioned above.

Book Information: ” Secrets of Longevity- Hundreds of Ways to Live to be 100.” by Dr. Maoshing Ni. Published by Chronicle Books.

Next Page »