Last week when I shared my recipe for Linguine with Prawns, Spinach, Goat Cheese and Tomatoes, I mentioned that I was first introduced to the wonderful tangy flavor of goat cheese on a camping trip when I was 9. Mentioning that got me reminiscing about the dish that I had on that trip so I decided to share it with you. The recipe itself is nothing too complicated or fancy, after all we were headed to the woods for a couple of days. Perhaps it is the simplicity of the dish and the boldness of the flavors that make me want to cook it again and again.
I remember the day we left for the camping trip pretty well. My mom’s friend picked me up from home and told me we were going to Natures, a natural food store that has since closed down, to get goat cheese. I am thinking “what the heck? why didn’t I ride with my mom? I just want to get to the campsite and I definitely don’t want to stop to get something that came out of a goat” but being 9 didn’t leave me much of an option so I tagged along.
Once we bought the goat cheese we headed to the beach for some camping, playing “slug bug” and “school bus” all the way. Remember that game? By the time we completed the 4 hour drive to the coast, my arm was sore and I was famished. I snacked on some chips as I watched as my mom’s friend cut the top off a head of garlic, placed a little butter on top, sprinkled it with salt and then wrapped it up in aluminum foil before placing it near the fire. She let that cook for about an hour until the cloves were caramelized and soft. Next she wrapped the goat cheese we bought in aluminum foil and placed that near the fire just until it softened slightly. She also placed a loaf of french bread near the fire to warm it up. Once everything was heated she simply spread some of the warmed goat cheese on top of the bread and removed a sweet roasted garlic clove from the head and spread that on top and passed it to me. As I said before, my 9 year old self was a little hesitant because it came from a goat. But the moment I took a bite the combination of the sweetness of the garlic and the tangy creaminess of the goat cheese was like nothing I had ever tasted and I knew I was hooked.
It is this simple recipe that I share with you today. I don’t go camping that much anymore so I have modified it to cook it at home.
RJ
October 20, 2018 at 4:18 amSo I am up at 6:15 am preparing eye of round and needed a spread to top it. This recipe seems to fool proof. Can’t to try it!
Deseree
October 20, 2018 at 11:04 amNot a bad way to start the day! It is a fave of ours, I hope you enjoy it too! :)
ziege kaufen
April 2, 2010 at 3:52 amI really love goat cheese it is really delicous. Most of the time I eat it as a dessert or use it to make a salsa.
Alice
June 30, 2009 at 10:43 pmI love simplicity in food. Roasted garlic is one of my favorite ways to eat bread but I have never had it with goat cheese. Thank you for the inspiration!
Deborah
June 29, 2009 at 6:46 amThis sounds like a wonderful combination of flavors!
Nic
June 29, 2009 at 2:12 amWhat a great story to remind us that things don’t have to be at all complicated to taste delicious and leave an impression. =) I’m going camping over the 4th of July and I will definitely be taking the stuff along to make this to share with my friends.
<3 Nic
Sheila
June 28, 2009 at 2:39 pmMmm, this sounds like a great combination! Just another reminder that freshly baked bread and a delicious spread can be a perfect dinner on those tiring weeknights.
Marta
June 26, 2009 at 6:18 pmLike you say, simple bold flavours often make the most memorable dishes! this spread looks great, nice and rustic! I’m catering a wedding soon, and they asked me (yesterday!) to also make a mid-night buffet table, so I’ve been scouting out spreads and dips, I think this is a great recipe for my needs because it’s simple and elegant! Printing it right now!
finsmom
June 26, 2009 at 12:27 pmThis looks deadly! I could get seriously addicted to this! Yum!