Herb Coated Goat Cheese

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

Show: Everyday ItalianEpisode: Lazy Days

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (40)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(40)

Cook Time:
15 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
8 to 10 servings

Times:

Prep: 30 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 15 min
Total:: 45 min

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Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil
36 (1/2-inch-thick) slices baguette
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
2 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon coarsely cracked black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 11-ounce log soft fresh goat cheese
1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil or Meyer lemon olive oil
Fresh herb sprigs, for garnish

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Arrange the bread slices on 2 heavy baking sheets. Drizzle 3 tablespoons of olive oil over the bread slices. Bake until the crostini are pale golden and crisp, about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, stir the herbs, lemon zest, pepper, and salt in a medium bowl to blend. Using about 2 teaspoons of cheese for each, form the goat cheese into 1-inch diameter balls. Roll the cheese balls in the herb mixture to coat completely. Arrange the cheese balls on a platter. Drizzle the extra-virgin olive oil over and around the cheese balls. Serve with the crostini. Garnish with herb sprigs.

The crostini and cheese balls can be prepared 1 day ahead. Store the crostini in an airtight container at room temperature. Cover and refrigerate the cheese balls.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Herb Coated Goat Cheese
Hannah Hicksville, NY 12-02-2008
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Best Goat Cheese Appetizer Ever
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

These are so delicious and so easy to make. I think I may have accidentally put some fresh oregano in the mixture, too, but... it was still amazing! People cannot stop eating them, including the chef! I'll have to try them with sun-dried tomatoes next time!Read more
recipe Herb Coated Goat Cheese
Anonymous 05-10-2008
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goat cheese balls
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

a crowd-pleaser... they are delicious
recipe Herb Coated Goat Cheese
Anonymous 01-02-2008
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Delicious and Disappear Fast!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Served at a holiday party. These are such a hit. The lemon zest awakens the cheese and herbs. Using fresh organic herbs... picked the day of preparation makes all the difference.Read more
recipe Herb Coated Goat Cheese
Marcia Phoenix, AZ 12-25-2007
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Yummy!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Merry Christmas! I made this appetizer for a friend's Christmas party this afternoon and it was not only simple, but... delicious. In the spirit of the holiday, I set the mini cheese balls in the shape of a Christmas tree and outlined the shape with the extra thyme I had in hand. I also set salami and a pepper mozzarella cheese on the platter, in the event someone does not care for goat cheese. The guests loved this appetizer, as I did. Thanks Giada!Read more
recipe Herb Coated Goat Cheese
Annie virginia beach, VA 12-07-2007
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Fresh & Delightful
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I admit I was a bit skeptical about the goat cheese. I am so happy that I did not stay in crazy land and actually took the... time to make this recipe. The fresh herbs are delish but the lemon zest really makes these balls pop. As Giada says, the creaminess of the cheese balls and the crunchy bread compliment eachother well. I was also skeptical about the bread being hard but it was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. I will definitely entertain with this recipe.Read more
recipe Herb Coated Goat Cheese
Amy Port Chester, NY 07-14-2007
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Elegant, deceptively impressive appetizer!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This is a very simple recipe and is VERY tasty! I should have made a little extra of the chopped herbs however, because they... didn't go as far as I had hoped them to. In the end, I took some longer curls of the lemon zest and sprinkeld them over the top of the cheese balls. ENJOY!Read more