Melty goat cheese crusted in toasted walnuts, savory mushrooms and chives. With this surprising tip, your cheese will come out just the right temperature – and not a puddle of baked cheese.
{Disclosure: As a co-owner of The Recipe ReDux, I was compensated to co-manage this recipe contest with the California Walnut Commission . Thoughts and opinions are my own.}
You know what’s cool about nutrition?
There’s always something new to learn.
Even though I spent years studying nutrition in college, in an internship, throughout grad school and many, many years researching and writing about nutrition, this factoid has somehow escaped me:
Walnuts have more omega-3 fatty acids (ALA) than any other nut. By a long shot.
This is of course significant because omega-3 fatty acids are really, really good for you – mainly for heart and brain health – and there are few sources to get them in the diet. The best source of omega-3s is of course fish. But not everyone in your family may enjoy fish (like my 60-something mother or my 8-year-old daughter.) And while my daughter may one day be convinced of the deliciousness of fish. Mom will not.
So the fact that an ounce of walnuts has 2.5 grams of the essential plant-based omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is significant. An ounce of walnuts also has 4 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber.
Of course, all these nutrition facts are pointless if a healthy food is not actually consumed by you or those you love. Lucky for us, walnuts taste delicious and are a versatile ingredient that is the perfect complement to other whole foods. And…Mom and my daughter both really like walnuts.
They also both like mushrooms. And warm, melty goat cheese…spread on crusty bread. (It was so good I made it THREE times over the weekend!)
I created this simple snack as part of The Recipe ReDux “We Heart Walnuts! Recipe Contest” sponsored by the California Walnut Commission; it would also be delicious as an appetizer with friends; as you sit around sharing interesting nutrition factoids. (Or not!) Bakes up warm and melty! Walnut-Crusted Baked Goat Cheese via @TspCurry #AD #TheRecipeReDux Click To Tweet
PrintWalnut-Crusted Baked Goat Cheese
- Yield: 4 servings (2 ounces of goat cheese each) 1x
Description
Warm melty goat cheese crusted in toasted walnuts, chives and savory mushrooms. With this surprise tip, you cheese will come out perfectly melted – but not a puddle of cheese.
Ingredients
- 2 logs (4-ounce-each) fresh goat cheese (or one 8-ounce log divided)
- 1 cup whole California Walnuts
- 2 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh chives
- 3/4 cup quartered fresh mushrooms (about 8 mushrooms)
- 1 egg, beaten
Instructions
- Place goat cheese in freezer for 20 minutes. Line baking tray with parchment paper.
- In large, dry skillet over medium-high heat, heat walnuts until lightly toasted, about 1 to 2 minutes. (To toast in the microwave, follow Deanna’s #HealthyKitchenHack instructions here.)
- Roughly chop walnuts. Add walnuts, chives and mushrooms to food processor and pulse 6-8 times until combined. Turn walnut mixture onto large plate.
- Place in a small bowl and whisk in 1 tablespoon water. Dredge 1 goat cheese in egg and then roll in walnut mixture, pressing as many walnuts as you possible can onto the cheese. Place on baking tray. Repeat with remaining goat cheese.
- Bake in a heated 375-degree oven for 10-12 minutes or until warmed through and soft when you press gently in the center.
- Serve the warm melty cheese with bread, sliced apples, or sliced vegetables.
Notes
Larger pieces of nuts in the crust are prettier – but the smaller pieces are easier to work with.
Logs of cream cheese or other soft cheese could be substituted for goat cheese.
If you freeze the cheese longer than 20 minutes, the walnuts may not stick into it as well; if this happens, just let it thaw a few minutes before trying to rolls cheese in nuts.
What’s your favorite nutrition factoid? What do you like to pair walnuts with?
Check out these other delicious walnut recipes from fellow Recipe ReDux members:
Nutrition Fox
Thursday 30th of June 2016
great idea on adding mushrooms, but i really not a fan of goat cheese, can i use substitute here? do you have any idea? thanks in advance!
Serena Ball
Friday 1st of July 2016
Thanks for stopping by Gene! You could certainly substitute any softer cheese such as a block of cream cheese, or French cheeses like Brie or Camembert. Just make sure to freeze the the cheese first as directed to prevent the soft cheese from turning to a melty mess in the oven! Let us know how it turns out!
Laura
Tuesday 14th of June 2016
This looks SO amazing! I'm on a total goat cheese kick right now!!! ;)
Serena Ball
Tuesday 14th of June 2016
Thanks Laura! I agree. Goat cheese and summer just seem to go together: It's so fresh and earthy and is great on picnics!
Alanna
Tuesday 14th of June 2016
OK, I love this!! Goat cheese is my favorite, and adding those crunchy walnuts on top make this a hit. So simple but SO good.
Rachel @ Delicious Balance
Sunday 12th of June 2016
This is beautiful...goat cheese and walnuts is such a good combo!
Serena Ball
Sunday 12th of June 2016
Thanks Rachel. I don't think I'd ever had goat cheese and walnuts...and I couldn't believe how yummy it was. Maybe because they are both so earthy? Anyway they are definitely friends on the plate!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom
Friday 10th of June 2016
I LOVE cheese logs like this!!!! and the walnuts are a must!!! LOVE!
Serena Ball
Sunday 12th of June 2016
Thanks Alice. So honored you visited us!! I've never baked goat cheese before...but now I will all the time!