Chilled and Shaped Herbed Goat Cheese served with Tomatoes and Crackers

This is a wonderful entertaining appetizer - do ahead and bring out of fridge when ready.   This recipe will serve approximately 15 people.  This is a very popular appetizer.This is also a very flexible appetizer to do -- you can change the ingredients slightly according to your taste or what you have available.  Note the bottom for variations.

ingredients:

1 11 oz package of Goat Cheese
1 T. Fresh Basil - washed, dried and finely chopped.
2 T. of Napa Valley Dipping Oil
salt and pepper to taste

1 bunch of Grape or Cherry Tomatoes, cut into thin slices OR Sun-dried tomatoes packed in Olive oil, chopped
1 package of Crackers (such as Ritz)

direction:

1. Soften goat cheese by leaving at room temperature for about 30-60 minutes. 

2. Mix goat cheese with basil, Napa Valley Dipping Oil, salt and pepper. Taste before molding and adjust seasonings if necessary.

3. Tightly pack herbed goat cheese in either of the following trays of molds: Heart, Daisy, Charlotte Tray, demi-sphere, Star Tray, Oval Savarin, or Mini-loaf. This amount will not yield in entire tray - you will get about 3 Daisy molds (or 10 stars) out of one 11 oz package of goat cheese. ** if you don't have a mold, you can put it in any container -- it just won't look this pretty.

4. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 1-2 hours.

5. Carefully un-mold each shape onto a plate and serve on the side a bowl of the sliced tomatoes and crackers.

 

Variation #1 on the goat cheese ingredients:

1 11 oz package of Goat Cheese
1 T. Fresh Basil - washed, dried and finely chopped.
1/2 T. Fresh Oregano and/or Thyme
2 T. of Roasted Garlic Olive Oil
salt and pepper to taste

Variation #2 on the goat cheese ingredients:

1 11 oz package of Goat Cheese
1 T. Fresh Basil - washed, dried and finely chopped.
1/2 T. Fresh Oregano and/or Thyme
2 cloves of garlic, finely minced
1 T. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
salt and pepper to taste