Description
A flavorful and creamy Garlic Herb Cheese Log featuring fresh herbs, goat cheese, and a crunchy pecan coating. Perfect as an elegant appetizer served with toasted baguette slices or crackers, this cheese log combines fresh chives, parsley, basil, oregano, garlic, and lemon zest for a bright herbaceous taste finished with a drizzle of olive oil.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Log
- 1 (11 oz.) soft fresh goat cheese log (may substitute all or part with cream cheese)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives (or 1 ½ teaspoons dried)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley (or 1 ½ teaspoons dried)
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh oregano leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried)
- 1 garlic clove, minced (or ¼ teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper or freshly cracked to taste
Coating
- 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
- 1 1/2 teaspoons reserved chopped fresh herbs (from the above mixture)
To Serve
- Drizzle of olive oil
- Toasted baguette slices or crackers
Instructions
- Combine Herbs: In a medium bowl, whisk together the fresh chives, parsley, basil, and oregano. Remove 1 ½ teaspoons of this herb mixture and set aside for the pecan coating.
- Mix Cheese Ingredients: To the remaining herbs in the bowl, add lemon zest, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine. Add the goat cheese and mix gently until the cheese is evenly blended with the herb mixture.
- Shape Cheese Log: Place the cheese mixture onto a large piece of plastic wrap. Using the wrap, form the mixture into a log shape. Wrap tightly and freeze for 20-30 minutes to firm up the cheese log, so it holds its shape but remains soft enough to press the coating into it.
- Prepare Coating: On a large piece of parchment paper, combine the finely chopped pecans with the reserved 1 ½ teaspoons of herb mixture. Spread this coating into a single layer square, a little larger than the length of the cheese log.
- Coat Cheese Log: Remove the cheese log from the freezer and place it at one edge of the coating. Roll the cheese log through the pecan-herb coating, pressing gently so the coating adheres evenly to all sides of the log. Wrap again if refrigerating until ready to serve, or serve immediately.
- Serve & Soften: If refrigerated, remove the cheese log 15 minutes before serving to soften slightly. Drizzle olive oil over the top just before presenting. Serve with toasted baguette slices or crackers.
- Toast Bread: Slice a baguette into 1/2-inch slices and arrange on a large baking sheet. Drizzle generously with olive oil. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes or until slices are golden and edges are crisp. Use these to accompany your cheese log.
Notes
- Make ahead: The cheese log can be made entirely in advance, wrapped tightly in plastic, and refrigerated up to 3 days. The pecan coating will soften somewhat, but it remains delicious. For a crunchier coating, prepare the cheese log ahead without coating, then just before serving, soften at room temperature for 15 minutes and roll in pecans.
- Herb variations: Feel free to experiment with your favorite fresh herbs to customize flavor.
- Cheese substitutions: Cream cheese can be used instead of goat cheese. Adding freshly grated Parmesan to cream cheese provides extra flavor.
- Nut substitutions: Pecans offer the best crunch. If allergic, substitute with toasted panko breadcrumbs lightly buttered.
- Serving size: Makes approximately 16 appetizer servings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 28g)
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
