Marinated Goat Cheese with Garlic, Basil, and Orange Zest

Marinated Goat Cheese with
Garlic, Basil, and Orange Zest

Serves 6 to 10

It's the infused olive oil that gives the goat cheese an intense and exciting flavor. You can vary the type of peppercorns used, or substitute mint or cilantro for the basil. This marinated goat cheese is also very good served in Belgian endive cups.

1 (12-ounce) log soft goat cheese, or
3 smaller logs, chilled
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon whole peppercorns,
preferably a mixture of white, red and black
1 teaspoon whole allspice berries
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 tablespoons finely minced fresh ginger
1/3 cup slivered fresh basil
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
Crackers as accompaniment

Using a thin-bladed vegetable knife or paring knife, cut the goat cheese into 1/2 inch-thick slices. (Dip the knife blade in hot tap water after each cut.) Arrange the slices in a single layer in a Pyrex pie plate or baking dish.

In a small saucepan, combine the olive oil, peppercorns, and allspice. In a small bowl, combine the garlic, ginger, basil and orange. Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and cook until the peppercorns begin to pop, about 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and immediately stir in the garlic mixture. After 5 seconds of stirring, pour the hot olive oil mixture over the goat cheese. Marinate in the refrigerator at least 3 hours, covered with plastic wrap. The recipe can be completed to this point up to 1 week before serving.

To serve, transfer the chilled cheese to a serving plate. Serve at room temperature or chilled with crackers.

Buy the Book!

Fast Appetizers
By Hugh Carpenter & Teri Sandison
Ten Speed Press
Paperback, $17.95, 112 pages
Publication date: August 1999
ISBN: 1-58008-049-9
Recipe Reprinted by permission.