Homemade Chevre Recipes
What Chevre means?
Chevre, means “goat cheese” in French. It is a soft, molded, fresh cheese. It has a texture similar to cream cheese, though slightly drier, and is lighter and fluffier. You can usually substitute chevre in recipes that call for cream cheese or ricotta.
It is quite simple to make and does not require a lot of special utensils. It also does not consume a lot of goat milk or time to make and it is one of the simplest. You can make this cheese as “bag cheese” or molded. If you wish to mold it, you will need molds like in plastic containers with holes in the bottom, to make this cheese. Once you have your molds, you are ready to make your very own Chevre.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 gallon of fresh goat milk or raw, unpasteurized goat milk
- 1 oz. mesophilic culture
- liquid rennet
Special supplies:
- 5 Chevre molds, or
- Fine cheese cloth (butter muslin)
*Remember to sterilize all your equipment before you begin.
Directions:
- In a stainless steel pot, warm the milk to 72°.
- Add the culture and stir well. Now you need to add 1/5 of a drop of rennet. Or measure out 5 Tablespoons of water into a small cup. Add to the water 1 drop of liquid rennet and stir well. Now measure out 1 Tablespoon of the rennet dilution (this one Tablespoon contains 1/5 of a drop of rennet) and add it to the milk. Stir well.
- Cover the milk and place the pot somewhere that it can sit undisturbed and will stay about 72° for about 18 hours. But, you can let it go for 24 hours. What you do is place the pot in the cold oven until the next day.
- When the milk has coagulated, you are ready to drain the curds or mold the cheese.
How to make “bag cheese” ?
- Pour the curds into a cheesecloth lined colander. Tie up the ends and hang the bag and let drain 6-8 hours. When it is thickened, salt to taste and enjoy. Unblended, this cheese substitutes nicely for cream cheese.
How to make molded cheeses ?
- Pour off any whey that has separated from the curd. Place your molds on a rack over a large baking pan. A lot of whey will drain from your cheese, and you will need a large pan to catch it. Carefully ladle the curds into the molds.
- Let the curds drain for two days at room temperature or you could drain the cheese in the fridge if there is enough space.
- After the cheese has drained you can carefully unmold them into your hand. Sprinkle all the sides of the cheese with a little Kosher salt and wrap them in plastic wrap. The cheese will keep for about 2 weeks in the fridge.
More Goat Cheese recipes – Check them out!
Baked Chevre Spread Recipe
Baked goat cheese naturally sweetened with fruits and honey makes a fantastically easy appetizer!
You can use baked goat cheese spread on toasts, crackers, bagels, and more for a delicious treat. This warm, smooth, melt-in-your-mouth goat cheese is blended with two different fruits and honey to create a satisfying accompaniment to your selection of toasts or crackers for breakfast or a snack. I am certain this is going to become one of your favorite appetizer recipes, though it does not necessary be reserved as an appetizer.
Spread this warm, creamy spread on a morning muffin or bagel for a warm breakfast. A great way to let you start the day, and keep you going!
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup crushed, unsweetened pineapple
- 1/4 cup honey
- 8 oz. chevre goat cheese
- 1/8 tsp. cinnamon
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350° F.
- Mix all ingredients thoroughly in a bowl. Spray a small casserole or baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Place cheese mixture in dish and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the sides begin to bubble and brown.
- Serve warm with crackers or bread.
Nutritional facts
Fried Chevre Recipe
The recipe is simple. You can use either homemade Chevre or buy from the grocery store. If you are using homemade chevre, it will be best if you let it drain until it is fairly dry and crumbly, like chevre purchased from the store. That way, it will stick together better when you form the patties.
Directions:
- Mold small scoops of chevre cheese into patties. I prefer a size that is about 1 1/2″ in diameter, but you can use smaller or larger as preferred. Dip each patty in a well-beaten egg, and then roll in bread crumbs.
- You can generally use Italian bread crumbs, because of the seasoning, but you can use plain, or add your own seasonings. *Optional – You could also add a little parmesan cheese to the bread crumbs for more flavor.
- Fry in hot vegetable oil for a few seconds until the bread crumb coating has browned. Remove from the oil, and drain on a paper towel.
- Transfer to a serving platter, and garnish, if desired.
It does not get any easier than that!
This warm goat cheese makes a fantastic appetizer. And when you bite a piece of fried cheese, a crispy bread crumb coating gives way to creamy, warm goat cheese that fills your mouth with a delightful flavor. And, once you have tried the plain fried Goat Cheese
*Experiment with your own combinations to find your favorite taste or add your favorite flavor combination to create an entirely new taste sensation.
How to enjoy Homemade Chevre
The best way to enjoy your homemade Chevre is on crackers and breads. It can also be used in any recipe calling for “goat cheese” and can be substituted for cream cheese.
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