Costco Connection

creative cooking

Say (goat) cheese

Discovering the delights of a
deliciously different cheese

By Marti Buckley Kilpatrick

GIVEN THAT GOATS were among the ;rst domesticated animals, it should come as no surprise that cheese makers have become extremely skilled at cra;ing ;ne, delightful cheeses from their milk.

Yet many people haven’t discovered the culinary beauties of goat cheese. Sometimes called by its fancy French name, chèvre, goat cheese is actually one of the most versatile cheeses around. Similar in appearance to feta and cream cheese, goat cheese has a unique ;avor that ranges from a mild sweetness to a tangy kick.

super salad originated in California at world- famous Chez Panisse, in the early 1980s. But goat cheese is good for more than just opping salads. Its creaminess and mild, salty- sweet flavor make it more food-pairing friendly than many other cheeses. Making pizza? Sprinkle on some goat cheese. Or use it as a creamy ;lling for quesadillas. If you like to put out cheese to snack on, goat cheese is the perfect counterpoint to stronger, harder cheeses on a cheese plate.

If you don’t know much about goat
cheese, it’s not your fault. It didn’t really arrive
on the American culinary scene until the late
20th century. One of the most famous (and
most copied) goat cheese dishes could very
well be one of the ;rst America ever enjoyed:
a mixed-green salad topped with warm
bread-crumb-encrusted rounds of chèvre. ;is
When you buy a hard cheese (such as
cheddar), you are getting a cheese that has
gone through a lengthy aging process. ;e
shorter aging of fresh goat cheese is what
makes it so di;erent. A;er the curds (solids)
and whey (liquid) separate, the curds are le;
to drain overnight. Then, the solids that
remain are mixed with salt, cooled and
shaped into logs. ;e result? A cheese that has
a so;er ;avor and is very easygoing about
dinner partners.

The Costco Connection Costco carries a variety of domestic and international goat cheeses in the warehouses.

Goat cheese has one more great quality: It’s one of the healthiest cheese choices. Lower in fat and calories than most cow’s-milk cheeses, goat cheese is a good source of protein, with 5 grams per ounce. ;e smaller particles that

JIM FAGIOLO

make up goat’s milk also mean it is easier to digest for people with lactose intolerance.

In terms of choosing a wine to pair with goat cheese, a safe bet is a dry white variety, such as a Sauvignon Blanc, which cuts nicely through the rich creaminess. If you don’t feel like a white, though, a red wine can be just ;ne. Reach for one that’s lighter, such as a Tempranillo or a lighter Pinot Noir.

Easy to ;nd (at your local Costco warehouse), easy to prepare, easy to eat and easy to digest. Maybe now is the time for you to discover the joys of chèvre. C

Marti Buckley Kilpatrick is a freelance journalist living and working in San Sebastián, Spain. She can be followed on her blog, www.travelcookeat.com.

COURTESY OF WOOLWICH DAIRY

40 ;e Costco Connection MAY 2011

Goat Cheese Turkey Burgers with Avocado Mayo

1 pound ground turkey
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 large egg, beaten
¼ cup bread crumbs
4 hamburger buns
1 cucumber, sliced
1 tomato, sliced

4 large lettuce leaves

8 ounces fresh goat cheese, crumbled

FOR THE MAYO

¼ cup mayonnaise

1 avocado, skin removed Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat grill to 375 F or medium-high heat.

Combine first 4 ingredients in a bowl. With cold water-dampened hands, shape into four ¾-inch thick patties. Place on tray. Cover and refrigerate until ready to grill.

To make the avocado mayo, whip together the mayonnaise with avocado and add salt and pepper to taste.

Lightly oil the grate and grill each burger for 6 minutes per side, or until entirely cooked through. Serve on a grainy burger bun, garnishing with cucumber, tomato, lettuce and crumbled goat cheese. Makes 4 servings.