Whipped Goat Cheese with Za’atar, Hazelnuts, and Olive Oil
Hello friends! It’s been a minute since I’ve posted on here because well, I don’t really know why. I’ve been struggling with motivation – mostly because I have so many fun ideas for this blog and brand that I don’t know where to start so I procrastinate instead. Ha! Very productive, I know. But I’m pushing thought the procrastination to create content and move forward with my ideas, one step at a time, because I love being able to create for you all!
Anyhow… Today’s post is a recipe I created a couple years ago and instantly fell in love with. It’s so incredibly easy, flavorful, and elegant. Paired with a crisp white wine or bubbly San Pellegrino, this Whipped Goat Cheese with Za’atar, Hazelnuts, and Olive Oil is perfect for an al fresco summertime party under string lights on the patio. It’s simple and sophisticated without being pretentious.
And we can’t forget about the flavor of this spread! Tangy but mellow goat cheese paired with Greek yoghurt makes for the most delightfully smooth and creamy mixture. Blend in fresh dill, very finely minced garlic, and salt and pepper to help cut through the piquant cheese and yoghurt. Top with a drizzle of rich extra virgin olive oil, deliciously crunchy and buttery hazelnuts, and a liberal sprinkling of Za’atar seasoning for the most fantastic spread.
I love to serve this with torn pieces of naan or freshly baked crusty bread, pita chips, and fresh vegetables such as carrots, cucumber, radish, and broccoli.
It really is a perfectly delectable and addicting appetizer or snack that anyone will love.
Eat well and enjoy!
What is Za'atar Seasoning?
Za’atar is a Levantine culinary herb or family of herbs. It is also the name of a spice mixture – which is used in this recipe. Generally, the mixture consists of the culinary herb along with toasted sesame seeds, dried sumac, salt, and other spices including cumin or coriander. Many blends also include herbs such as thyme, oregano, marjoram; or a combination of all three. Both the herb and spice mixture are popular throughout the Mediterranean region of the Middle East and are used in Levantine cuisine.
What Does Za'atar Taste Like?
Za’atar has a complex taste that can vary between brands and sources. However, it is usually nutty and zesty with a somewhat citrusy tartness.
Ingredient Details and Abby's Tips
- The Goat Cheese – I use plain goat cheese for this recipe because it creates a good base for the other flavors. However, feel free to experiment with this recipe – garlic and herb or herb de Provence goat cheese could be a great alternative!
- The Greek Yoghurt – Greek yoghurt is definitely the way to go in this recipe. I have tried using regular yoghurt, but it is just too runny. I also prefer full fat/while milk Greek yoghurt for its thick and creamy consistency. However, low-fat should work if that’s what you prefer.
- The Dill – I love using fresh dill for this recipe. However, dried would absolutely work if that’s what you have on hand! I would cut the amount in half if using dried.
- The Garlic – I use one larger clove in this recipe but if you aren’t a big fan of garlic, using a smaller clove would also work. Either way, you’ll want to mince the garlic very fine or grate it using a microplane. The finely minced garlic helps it blend into the mixture without leaving big chunks of raw garlic to bite into.
- The Salt and Pepper – You can add the salt and pepper to taste for this recipe. I start out with 1/8 teaspoon of each and go from there.
- The Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Try and use extra virgin olive oil (as opposed to olive oil) if you can. Either would technically work but extra virgin is best for drizzling as it has a richer and more complex flavor. If you don’t want to use olive oil, avocado oil would work well too.
- The Hazelnuts – The first time I made this recipe, I used pistachios. And then I tried it with hazelnuts because I had some on hand. Both are excellent choices! And you can add them however you like – raw or roasted, salted or unsalted. I’ve tried it every way and every way is delicious.
- The Za’atar – This is the real star of the show. It’s a deliciously aromatic spice blend that is nutty, zesty, and almost lemony. Don’t skip this as it adds SO much to this spread. I have found Za’atar at my local King Soopers/Kroger, Spouts, Whole Foods, World Market, and on Amazon.
Creamy, tangy, crunchy, and savory. This Whipped Goat Cheese with Za'atar, Hazelnuts, and Olive Oil is perfect for a dinner party appetizer or as a snack. It' addictively delicious and pairs so well with crusty bread, naan, pita chips, or veggies.
- 8 oz goat cheese (softened to room temperature)
- 1/2 cup Greek yoghurt (I use whole milk yoghurt)
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, finely minced (or 1/2 tbsp. dried)
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced or grated
- 1/8 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/8 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (or to taste)
- 1/4 cup chopped hazelnuts (or chopped pistachios)
- 1 tbsp za'atar seasoning (or to taste)
- Crusty bread, pita chips, naan, crackers, or veggies for serving Crusty bread, pita chips, naan, crackers, or veggies for serving
Place the softened goat cheese (8 oz.), Greek yoghurt (1/2 cup), fresh dill (1 Tbsp.), minced garlic (1 clove), salt (1/8 tsp.) and black pepper (1/8 tsp.) in a medium mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer). Beat the goat cheese mixture until smooth and creamy, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Spread the goat cheese mixture onto a plate or small platter using a spatula or back of a spoon. Drizzle the top of the goat cheese with olive oil (1 to 2 Tbsp.). Next sprinkle the chopped hazelnuts (1/4 to 1/3 cup) and za’atar seasoning (1 to 2 Tbsp.) over the goat cheese and olive oil. Serve with pieces of crusty bread, crackers, pita chips, torn naan bread, and/or fresh veggies (such as carrots, celery, cucumbers, radish, and broccoli).
Serve immediately or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use. If refrigerating, sit on the counter for 15 minutes to soften before serving.