Try Our Favourite Goat Cheese Recipes from Provence

With superhighways, fast trains, and air travel, it is hard, if not impossible, to imagine a time when the well-stocked grocery store did not exist. The Provencal culinary relationship with goat cheese or chevre is centuries old and continues today. Listed below are several of our favourite goat cheese recipes for your enjoyment.

Goat Cheese and Provence

Some parts of Provence still offer a glimpse into the region’s agricultural past and traditional animal husbandry (learn about the transhumance and pigeonniers). Although agreeable for much of the year, the Mediterranean climate in the South of France is extreme. Summers are generally hot and dry. The winter months are sunny and cool or even cold at higher elevations. In contrast, spring and late fall have a mix of sun, rain, and wind. So, large animals like cattle suffer in this environment, whereas goats and sheep can adapt. So, it’s common in more rural parts of the region to see sheep and goats grazing in the fields.

Goat cheese, or “chevre” as it is known in French, is ubiquitous in Provence. There are many different types, different shapes and different colours.

Buying Goat Cheese

Fresh goat cheese is white, creamy, spreadable, and often found in a log, sometimes decorated with flowers or herbs. Soft-ripened goat cheese can have a natural or “bloomy” rind. The natural rind occurs when the air dries the outside of the cheese, creating a soft crust. To create a “bloomy” rind, the cheese maker coats the outside of the cheese with penicillium candidum, making a “fuzzy” edible rind. Soft-ripened goat cheeses are often covered in edible ash and are greyer.

Like blue cheese or cilantro, goat cheese is not every person’s favourite. However, generally speaking, the fresher (less aged) the goat cheese, the milder the flavour. I prefer the frais chevre, which is typically only a day or two old. It’s slightly stronger tasting than ricotta and is delicious on salads. So enjoy this selection of recipes made with goat cheese.

Starters and Snacks with Goat Cheese

A delicious tart made with goat cheese and leeks can be enjoyed any time of the year!

Leek and Goat Cheese Tart

This light tart recipe is the perfect accompaniment for a crisp glass of Provencal rosé on the patio or by the fire. No matter what the weather is like, this savoury and creamy tart is absolutely delicious. With leeks and goat cheese being easily accessible in most regions year-round, make this tart with a fresh green salad for a dish that is sure to impress. Make sure to allow enough time for your dough to rest before using it.

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A tomato olive tart made with goat cheese that can easily be prepared as a starter course.

Tomato Olive Tarts - Appetizer

There are a few steps to this recipe, but don't be put off. There is nothing complicated, and you will love the result. As a bonus, the little tart shells are a bit like savoury shortbread so you can serve those on their own. And, if you make too much olive tapenade, it will keep for a few days in the fridge.

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Zucchini flowers stuffed with artichokes and goat cheese can be eaten with a salad.

Zucchini Flowers Stuffed with Artichoke and Goat Cheese

Zucchini flowers are one of the delicacies of Provence. They are best stuffed with a young, mild goat cheese that won’t overwhelm the delicate flavour of the flower. Pair the dish with a delicate, dry Provence rosé.

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A flavorful tart made with fresh tomato and goat cheese is perfect for sharing on a warm day.

Fresh Tomato Goat Cheese Tart

This easy-to-make tart combines flavourful tomatoes and tangy goat cheese in a pretty shape.

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A quick and easy starter to prepare made with peppers and goat cheese.

Verrine Tricolore

This starter course is easy to make, you just need to make sure you have enough time to allow the three mixtures (layers) to cool properly so you can layer. 

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A fresh and delicious treat filled with goat cheese and tapenade best served with a glass of rosé.

Artichokes Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Tapenade

The combination of fresh artichokes, goat cheese and tapenade translates into "Provence in a bite" to be enjoyed with some chilled rosé.

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An effortless starter to prepare made with blue goat cheese, pears, and walnuts.

Goat Blue and Pear Timbales

This starter course is actually very easy to make, but you don't need to tell your guests. Enjoy this savoury combination of blue cheese, pear and walnuts.

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A quick appetizer to whip up for your guests made with goat cheese covered in herbs. It can be served with crackers!

Herbed Goat Cheese

This recipe is super easy to make, and you can vary the flavours slightly each time depending which herbs are in season.

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Zucchini flowers can be purchased at your local farmers’ market and filled with goat cheese.

Zucchini Blossoms Stuffed with Goat Cheese, Mint and Anise Seeds

In French this dish is Fleurs de Courgettes Farcies au Chèvre, à la Menthe, et Graines de Anis. This is a wonderful — and easy — welcome for summer guests. Buy your zucchini flowers at the farmers’ market in the morning, and store them in the fridge like a bouquet — with the stems in a glass of cold water — until you are ready to use them. Serves 4 as an hors d’oeuvre or light appetizer.

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Cook and season asparagus to cover a goat cheese and pastry tart.

Provençal Asparagus Tart (Tarte aux Asperges)

Light and crisp puff pastry covered in creamy goat's cheese, salty ham and topped with the season's best asparagus gently roasted to perfection.

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Salads with Goat Cheese

A versatile salad can be served as a light main course, lunch dish, or salad. The salad is filled with baby greens, breadcrumbs, goat cheese, and pistachios.

Baby Greens with Fried Goat Cheese and Pears

Look no further if you're looking for a light main course for a warm summer evening. This recipe combines sweet, fresh greens with rich, creamy goat cheese for an impeccable combination that will impresses. Want to take it a step further? Pair this dish with a crisp, dry white wine and watch your guests fawn over your expertise.

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A green salad full of goat cheese, pine nuts, cherry tomatoes, and avocado drizzled in a homemade lemon vinaigrette dressing.

Chevre Chaud Salade with Lemon Vinaigrette

This salad is easy to prepare. Toast the pine nuts and make the dressing in advance so the final steps are just before serving.

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Another way to prepare zucchini flowers is with goat cheese, figs and ham! It’s a quick and easy tasteful dish.

Stuffed Zucchini Flowers with Goat Cheese, Figs and Ham

Sadly, zucchini flowers and figs are only available for a short time in Provence, but if you can source both, this colourful creation will have your guests begging for more.

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Main Courses with Goat Cheese

A delicious dinner to try for your next get-together! Chicken filled with goat cheese and served with a side of peppers and a sauce.

Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Red Bell Pepper Sauce

If you're looking for a dinner idea that's bound to impress, these stuffed chicken breasts are juicy and full of flavour! Not to mention, they're totally easy to make with a little love and patience!

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A variation of chicken cordon bleu curated with goat cheese, basil, and ham!

Chicken stuffed with Goats Cheese, Serrano Ham and Tomato

A very delicious variation of Chicken Cordon Bleu, the tartness of the creamy goat cheese paired with the fresh basil and serrano ham compliment and balance the moist and tender chicken.

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The perfect pasta dish; ravioli stuffed with herbs and goat cheese.

Purple Haze Ravioli

Delicate homemade ravioli stuffed with tangy goat cheese and herbs, served with lavender-rosemary-infused brown butter with Marcona almonds and candied orange peel.

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Goat Cheese Desserts

Goat cheese can be enjoyed in the form of dessert too! A fig tart filled with breadcrumbs, walnuts, blue goat cheese, and figs.

Blue Cheese and Fig Tart Two Ways

This recipe is based on a blue goat cheesecake by Braiden Rex-Johnson found in her "Pike Place Market Cookbook." I made the dessert into more of a tart format, using the same basic ingredients.

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