Lemon Goat Cheese

If you’ve followed my blog for any amount of time, you know that I’m a cheese lover. A serious cheese lover.

I like all kinds – hard to soft and everything in between. Cow’s milk washed rind cheeses are probably my favorites if you told me I could only eat one variety the rest of my life, which would be sad. But I’m also a huge goat cheese lover.

If I prepare a cheese platter, there will always be some variety of goat cheese on it. There is a goat Brie that is really fabulous. But I also like to play with creamy goat cheese, adding flavors, nuts, herbs, fresh and dried fruits.

On the blog I’ve posted my “Faux Boursin,” which is basically this recipe, shown below, with the addition of fresh and dried herbs. It’s delicious, and you can really customize it to your taste. Plus, it’s much less expensive than buying retail Boursin.

Being that it’s officially spring, I wanted to celebrate with a lemony goat cheese. This is so simple, and I’m not even a huge citrus lover. But the flavor of the goat cheese and lemon zest is fresh and lovely – perfect for Spring! Enjoy!

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Lemon Goat Cheese

8 ounces creamy goat cheese, like Chèvre
2 ounces cream cheese
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Zest of 1 lemon, plus a little more for decoration

Have the first three ingredients at room temperature before you begin. This is the goat cheese I’m using.

chevre

You don’t have to include cream cheese; I do it more if I have guests who might not like the full goat cheese flavor. I add butter I because it helps firm up the cheese and makes it more spreadable. Place the goat cheese, cream cheese and butter in a medium-sized bowl. Add the lemon zest.

Then simply using a spatula or spoon, mix the ingredients together. Line an appropriately-sized bowl with plastic wrap and add the cheese.

Force the cheese down to avoid holes, and spread the top flat. Alternatively, you can make a log shape, just as you would a composed butter.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for about 4 hours or overnight.

Remove the plastic wrap, and turn over the bowl onto a serving platter. Remove the plastic liner while the cheese is still cold. Let the cheese come to room temperature before serving. It will have more flavor and spread more easily.

lemon

Top with a little lemon zest, if desired, and serve with crackers or bread.

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Other things, like herbs, could be included in this cheese, but I like the simplicity of the lemon. No salt or pepper is required. A little fresh tarragon, chives, parsley, or toasted pine nuts would work sprinkled on top. Play around with this recipe to make it suit you!

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Welcome spring! I’ve missed you!

By Published On: March 23rd, 201533 Comments on Lemon Goat Cheese

About the Author: Chef Mimi

As a self-taught home cook, with many years in the culinary profession, I am passionate about all things food-related. Especially eating!

33 Comments

  1. Our Growing Paynes March 23, 2015 at 9:39 AM - Reply

    What a pretty presentation! Reminds me of the spring we’re still waiting for.

  2. chef mimi March 23, 2015 at 10:02 AM - Reply

    It was actually cold and windy when I made this, but I was trying really hard to feel springy!

  3. chefceaser March 23, 2015 at 2:26 PM - Reply

    Reblogged this on Chef Ceaser.

  4. Feast Wisely March 23, 2015 at 4:38 PM - Reply

    What a clever way to make what can often be expensive goats cheese go a little further……

    • chef mimi March 24, 2015 at 7:56 AM - Reply

      I just love changing up the flavor. Or, adding to the flavor would be a better description!

  5. Julie is Hostess At Heart March 23, 2015 at 5:18 PM - Reply

    This sounds delicious to me and I like the addition of the cream cheese mellow the goat cheese, and the tip on adding butter.

    • chef mimi March 24, 2015 at 7:59 AM - Reply

      It’s just a habit. I always add a little butter when I mix cheeses together to make a spread! But it works, and who doesn’t love the flavor of good butter?!!

  6. thepaddingtonfoodie March 23, 2015 at 5:27 PM - Reply

    So simple…so incredibly delicious.

  7. Bam's Kitchen March 23, 2015 at 10:34 PM - Reply

    Love this recipe, so easy but so delicious. I am having a small cocktail gathering this weekend and this will be perfect. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. Take care, BAM

  8. charmbutterfly19 March 24, 2015 at 1:16 AM - Reply

    A woman after my own heart! My middle name is ‘cheese hoarder’. This recipes looks amazing, I can almost taste the pictures!

    • chef mimi March 24, 2015 at 7:58 AM - Reply

      Thank you MIss Butterfly! I think my middle name is “cheese devourer!”

      • charmbutterfly19 March 24, 2015 at 10:11 AM

        Perfect!! You can be cheese devourer and I will be cheese hoarder! *I have a nini fridge just for cheese!! 🙈🙈* hahahaha

  9. anotherfoodieblogger March 25, 2015 at 1:00 AM - Reply

    I’m not a huge citrus/cheese lover either, but if YOU like then I know it is worthy!

  10. dianeskitchentable March 25, 2015 at 11:26 AM - Reply

    Since my daughter’s also a major cheese lover, I always pass on your cheese ideas to her. This one looks great & thanks for that tip about the butter for spreadability. It’s those little things that can make a lot of difference.

  11. sue marquis bishop March 25, 2015 at 11:35 AM - Reply

    I love cheese! I love goat cheese! I love lemons! Your recipe is perfect. Only one hitch. I’m trying to lose a few pounds. Oh well. I’m trying it anyway. Thanks for this one. Sue
    Womenlivinglifeafter50.com

    • chef mimi March 25, 2015 at 9:47 PM - Reply

      Join the group. ugh. it so much more fun gaining weight!

  12. thebusyspatula March 25, 2015 at 12:22 PM - Reply

    YES! Lemon and cheese… it sounds amazing!

  13. Mama's Gotta Bake March 25, 2015 at 12:46 PM - Reply

    Hi Chef Mimi, I’m a major cheese lover too! I love your recipe on kicking goat cheese up a couple of notches. Will give it a try!

  14. hotlyspiced March 25, 2015 at 10:10 PM - Reply

    I’m glad you’re enjoying Spring. Your cheese looks fantastic and I think the goat’s cheese with lemon is a lovely combination. Your croutons look really good too xx

    • chef mimi April 1, 2015 at 3:38 PM - Reply

      Thank you so much! I do love spring, but i really prefer fall and winter. except for the fresh tomatoes and basil!

  15. Marisa @missmarzipan.com March 27, 2015 at 4:31 PM - Reply

    You are so clever, Mimi!

  16. oceanviewkitchen March 29, 2015 at 9:35 AM - Reply

    This sounds delicious! What a lovely combination of goat cheese and lemon:)

    • chef mimi March 29, 2015 at 9:50 AM - Reply

      Thank you! I’m not even a huge citrus fan. I guess if I had to pick a fruit, it would be a berry. But citrus does have its place in the culinary world!

  17. Shanna Koenigsdorf Ward March 31, 2015 at 1:57 PM - Reply

    Lemon chèvre! That’s brilliant. Yes, you are a cheese lover. I wonder if you could go the Orange zest route, shape the log like carrot and stick some parsley in for a stem for an Easter spin. 😊
    Have you ever tried goat butter?

    • chef mimi March 31, 2015 at 7:24 PM - Reply

      i have and it’s fabulous! I love goat. period!!! i’ll let you make the carrot. that is too creative for me. but great idea!!!!!

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