Description
This Garlic Herb Cheese Log is a delightful and easy-to-make appetizer featuring creamy goat cheese blended with fresh herbs, garlic, and lemon zest, then coated with crunchy pecans. Perfect for serving with toasted baguette slices or crackers at any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 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 teaspoon 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
Pecan Coating
- 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
- Reserved 1 ½ teaspoons herb mixture (from the combined herbs above)
Finishing
- Drizzle of olive oil
Instructions
- Mix Herbs: In a medium bowl, whisk together the chopped fresh herbs: chives, parsley, basil, and oregano. Remove 1 ½ teaspoons of this mixture to set aside for the pecan coating.
- Combine Cheese Mixture: To the remaining herbs in the bowl, add lemon zest, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine, then fold in the goat cheese until the mixture is evenly blended.
- Shape Cheese Log: Transfer the cheese mixture onto a large piece of plastic wrap and shape it into a log. Wrap tightly and place in the freezer for 20-30 minutes to firm up. This ensures it holds its shape but remains soft enough for coating.
- Prepare Coating: On a large piece of parchment paper laid on your counter, mix the finely chopped pecans with the reserved 1 ½ teaspoons of herbs, spreading them out into a single layer slightly larger than the cheese log.
- Coat Cheese Log: Roll the chilled cheese log over the nut and herb coating, pressing it firmly so the coating sticks evenly all over. Wrap and refrigerate if not serving immediately.
- Serve: Before serving, remove the cheese log from the refrigerator about 15 minutes to soften slightly. Drizzle with olive oil just before serving alongside toasted baguette slices or crackers.
- Toast Baguette (Optional): Slice a baguette into 1/2” slices, arrange on a baking sheet, and drizzle generously with olive oil. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes or until edges are golden and crisp.
Notes
- You can prepare the cheese log up to 3 days ahead; the pecan coating may lose some crunch but will remain tasty.
- To maintain maximum crunch, roll the log in pecans just before serving.
- Feel free to customize with your favorite fresh herbs.
- Cream cheese can be substituted for goat cheese, optionally mixed with finely grated Parmesan for extra flavor.
- For nut allergies, consider substituting pecans with toasted panko breadcrumbs sautéed in butter, although the texture differs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (assuming 16 servings from one log)
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 12mg
