Jalapeño Goat Cheese is a super simple but unusual cheese spread and an easy appetizer that will have you coming back for more…and more!
We discovered jalapeño goat cheese at our favorite Middle Eastern stand at the farmers market.
The guy sells a dizzying array of yogurts, dips, salads and spreads. It’s like a colorful mosaic of little plastic tubs set in a long bed of ice, with piles of fluffy pita bread on either side. We’ve been going there for the makings of easy summer dinners forever. He’s a pretty good salesman, too, because before we can say anything he’s pushing tiny little tasting spoons toward us at lightning speed, offering up tastes of everything he’s got. He sells it all 3 for $10, so we’re always trying new things.
what’s in it?
One taste of this and I was hooked. I kept the plastic lid after we polished off our first tub because it had the ingredients listed on it…
- goat cheese
- jalapeno
- and olive oil
That’s it! You’ll have to trust me on this one…it’s incredible.
this 3-ingredient wonders packs a big punch.
I can pretty much guarantee that family and friends haven’t had this before, and they’ll love it. Serve it with crackers or pita chips as an appetizer, but we also use it as part of a cheese-plate-y type dinner, it pairs really well with hummus, tabbouleh, almonds, olives, etc. It takes 2 seconds to make, and really jazzes things up.
try out different cheeses in this recipe
I found farmer’s goat cheese at a grocery store that specializes in International foods. Farmer’s cheese is firm, dry, and crumbly. It’s like the Mexican queso blanco or a fresh feta. You can definitely experiment with different types of cheese for this spread. If you use a creamier goat cheese, you will end up with more of a spread than a dip. While I didn’t try that, I know it would be good. The queso blanco or fresh feta would be good substitutes, too.
more easy cheesy appetizers
- Homemade Boursin Cheese Recipe
- Baked Feta Cheese with Olives and Lemon
- Cheesy Baked Mushroom Dip
- Baked Feta Bruschetta
- Wild Mushroom and Hazelnut Baked Brie
Jalapeno Goat Cheese
Ingredients
- 4 ounces farmer’s goat cheese
- 1 jalapeno
- extra virgin olive oil, I used O Meyer Lemon Olive Oil
optional
Instructions
- Cut the stem off the pepper and slice in big chunks. Put them in the bowl of a small capacity food processor and process until finely minced.
- Add the cheese and pulse several more times until the cheese is broken up into a fine crumble and everything is well combined.
- Pulse in enough olive oil to loosen the mixture and give it a spreadable consistency, I started with 2 tablespoons.
- Taste and add a little salt or lemon juice if desired.
- Keep refrigerated until ready to eat, and serve with crackers or pita chips.
I will give this a try. May I ask what those crackers are? They look perfect for this.
Thank you for such great recipes!
Hey Suzanne – the crackers are from Waterwheel: http://www.waterthins.com.au/our-brands/waterwheel/ and even though I think they are based in Australia you can fine them, and others like them, in most stores. They’re wafer-thin.
I just got a new food processor and have been using it for everything – this cheese has to be my next project, I love the jalapeños!
I am so in love with my little food processor, I use it almost every day!
Definitely making this – thanks for the recipe!
Wow – it does look utterly wonderful and the photos are fantastic! Those crackers look pretty great too. I love this! You must have a wonderful farmers market. So smart to make it yourself!
We have so many farmer’s markets, Tricia – we’re spoiled! This one sets up once a week in the evenings outside our mall, how smart is that?
Jalapenos AND Goat Cheese?!?!?! My two very favorite things. OMG, can’t wait to make this!
Let me know what you think, I see from your name we are kindred spirits!
Sue, you had me with goat cheese but to combine with Jalapeno, POP. Can’t wait to try this.
So good, Sue! I love jalapenos and this would be a perfectly healthy spread to serve with my favorite cocktail!
Ooh this looks gorgeous! I love the combination of heat and creaminess.
I have never met a jalapeno recipe I did not like and can imaging the fantastic combination of the tang and spice. How simple to make too Sue. So glad you whipped it up so we can make it at home.
Beautiful and you had me at goat cheese 🙂 I have never tried the jalapeno goat cheese combination though, so I’m anxious to try this. I have both in the fridge right now!
I’ve been on a HUGE jalapeno kick lately, I seem to be putting them in everything 🙂