Herbed Goat Cheese

My latest concept recipe – thank goodness readers like flexibility and adaptability as much as I do – that starts with a creamy base of goat cheese and cottage cheese mixed and baked until warm with bits of vegetables and fresh herbs. Which vegetables? Which herbs? Well, that's up to you, whatever you think tastes and looks good, usually just by checking the fridge and pantry. Herbed Goat Cheese is a real crowd pleaser at parties and a convivial way to smart a small gathering. So easy, so good!

Fresh & Adaptable. Quick & Easy for Impromptu Gatherings. Low Carb. Great for Meal Prep.

~ Skip Straight to the Recipe ~

Life Lessons from a Dog

For being half lab, my dog’s still half wimp when it comes to water.

She was just four days from the pound when she and 50 other dogs scampered into a local pool that opens up for pooches when it closes for people. When someone threw her in, she threw herself out of the water and onto the safe-looking lap of an unsuspecting stranger. Once. Twice. And then once more.

Later, she was invited to swim with just two dogs. Determined to avoid the water, she hid in the surrounding bushes, up-ending a nest of yellow jackets. YOUCH.

But she’s progressed in three years, thanks to regular romps in shallow water at the park and a little stick-fetching at a nearby lake. She even swims now, and happily, especially with a frisbee or tennis (or soccer!) ball in sight.

At last year’s dog swim, my goal was to teach her to leap into the water from the side. Time and again, she threw herself into a shallow, cloudy pool with no sign of a bottom. But when it came to the deeper, clear-as-tap-water pool, off she ran, seeking the safety of some lap.

There’s a lesson there, don’t you think?

Just think about it. When Lady was unable to see the bottom, she leapt with abandon. But when she can see the bottom, she turns timid, afraid even.

End-of-season dog swims are back on the calendar. Who knows this year’s lesson from a water-wimpy but life-smart dog?

You'll Love Herbed Goat Cheese If You ...

• like a little nibbly before supper
• are known for putting out a spread when friends come over
• have a fridge full of bibs and bobs of one thing/another
• keep fresh herbs on hand, especially during the summer

Ready to get started? Here's your recipe!

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HERBED GOAT CHEESE

Hands-on time: 15 minutes
Time-to-table: 45 minutes
Makes about 3 cups (easily halved or "thirded")

CREAMY BASE
• 8 ounces (225g) goat cheese, room temperature (inexpensive logs are perfect here)
• 2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
• 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
• 3 large egg yolks
• Zest of ½ a lemon
• ¼ cup (31g) flour
• Salt & pepper to taste

NOW GET CREATIVE
• About ½ cup of color and texture, maybe roasted red pepper, green onion, capers, chopped spinach or even a combination


• About ¼ cup of minced fresh herbs, maybe rosemary or basil or dill or lavender or tarragon or chive or even a combination

Heat oven to 350F/180C.

CREAMY BASE Combine the goat cheese, butter, cottage cheese, egg yolks, zest, flour and seasonings with a hand mixer (or by hand though the mixture will be heavier).

NOW GET CREATIVE Stir in your choices for color, texture and herb flavor.

BAKE Transfer to a well-greased quiche pan. Bake for 20 – 30 minutes until just set. Serve warm or at room temperature with crackers or bread. If you like, make in advance and refrigerate, then reheat or return to room temperature.

NUTRITION INFORMATION Per 2 Tablespoons: 35 Calories; 3g Tot Fat; 2g Sat Fat; 25mg Cholesterol; 38mg Sodium; 1g Carb; 0g Fiber; 0g Sugar; 2g Protein. WEIGHT WATCHERS Old Points 1 & PointsPlus 1 & SmartPoints 1 & Freestyle 1

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Who Loves Goat Cheese?!

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~ more goat cheese recipes ~
~ more appetizer recipes ~
from Kitchen Parade

~ more appetizer recipes ~
from A Veggie Venture

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Shop Your Pantry First

(helping home cooks save money on groceries)

~ goat cheese recipes ~
~ cottage cheese recipes ~

~ All Recipes, By Ingredient ~
~ How to Save Money on Groceries ~

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Kitchen Parade is written by second-generation food columnist Alanna Kellogg and features fresh, seasonal dishes for every-day healthful eating and occasional indulgences. Quick Suppers are Kitchen Parade favorites and feature recipes easy on the budget, the clock, the waistline and the dishwasher. Do you have a favorite recipe that other Kitchen Parade readers might like? Just send me a quick e-mail via recipes@kitchen-parade.com. How to print a Kitchen Parade recipe. Never miss a recipe! If you like this recipe, sign up for a free e-mail subscription. If you like Kitchen Parade, you're sure to like my food blog about vegetable recipes, too, A Veggie Venture. If you make this recipe, I'd love to know your results! Just leave a comment below.

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