Lazy Delicious Goat Cheese Spread

Last weekend I went to a lovely party and my friend Karl brought a most scrumptious goat cheese dip buzzing with oregano and garlic deliciousness.  It was the perfect cheese dip/spread, the fresher-far-more-amazing version of Rondele Garlic & Herb Cheese Spread from my childhood. 

It was so incredible I asked for his recipe and decided to make it this weekend.  I went to Trader Joe's to get the ingredients and ran into the Pita Crisps with Cranberries & Pumpkin Seeds and was immediately inspired on a twist to Karl's dip specifically designed to got with these Crisps. 

 

 

 

 

Pumpkin Goat Cheese Dip

 

• 1 11 oz. package of Trader Joe's SIlver Goat Chevre
• 2 Garlic Cloves, minced
• 3 Tablespoons Thyme, minced
• 3 Tablespoons chopped Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds (or regular ones if you can't find sprouted ones)
• Drizzle of Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper to taste

 Put goat cheese in the microwave for 10-20 seconds to soften.  Mix in all the rest of the ingredients. Decorate with a few whole pumpkin seeds.  I served with a few different kinds of crackers and carrots, but the Cranberry/Pumpkin Crisps with their sweetness against the savory garlicky dip is pretty awesome. 

 

 

Karl Hamann's Goat Cheese Spread

• 1 8 oz. package goat cheese
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, minced
• ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper (+ more to taste) 
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Microwave the goat cheese in a small bowl until it warms up and softens. Add garlic, herbs, pepper, and one tablespoon olive oil. Whip ingredients together until creamy.

 

Add more olive oil if necessary – mixture should be nice and creamy.

You can add more garlic and more pepper to taste.  Best served warm with toasted slices of fresh baguette.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Fall! Trader Joe's Bliss Offerings

Fall isn't my favorite season. I'm a Spring chick.  Love me some Spring!  But, Trader Joe's is easing my transition into Fall with two new offerings, one of which I was recently wishing could be found in their frozen vegetable section: Roasted Corn! 

I usually dislike corn that is not fresh.  Last week I was adding corn to a salad and wishing I had had time to roast it first.  It would have been so much better.  Well, this is a phenomenal substitute for fresh grilled corn.  It has the smoky flavor, and the just perfectly cooked (i.e., not overcooked, mushy, or soggy) kernels.

And, then this vegetarian delight:  Spinach & Kale Balls.  They taste shockingly like my homemade spinach gnocchi.  They are light and delicious. 

Throw that all together with some lettuce, yellow tomato, avocado, fresh lemon, herbs and salt and you have a "Welcome to Fall, Bridget" Salad.

Yum.

Buon Fall Appetito!