Description
This Garlic Herb Cheese Log is a flavorful and elegant appetizer combining creamy goat cheese and cream cheese with fresh herbs, garlic, and lemon zest. Rolled in a crunchy pecan coating and finished with a drizzle of olive oil, it’s perfect for serving guests at any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 10 oz chèvre goat cheese
- 3 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Herb Coating
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh oregano, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
Finishing
- Olive oil, as needed for drizzling
Instructions
- Combine Cheeses: In a mixing bowl, add the cream cheese, goat cheese, and black pepper. Stir together until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Form Cheese Log: Using your hands, shape the cheese mixture into a log. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for 20 minutes until it is slightly firm but not frozen solid.
- Prepare Herb Coating: In a shallow dish, combine the chopped chives, parsley, basil, oregano, minced garlic, lemon zest, salt, and finely chopped pecans. Stir well to evenly mix the coating ingredients.
- Roll Cheese in Coating: On a piece of parchment paper, spread the herb and pecan mixture out in a square roughly the length of the cheese log. Place the cheese log at one edge of the coating and roll it over, pressing the coating into the cheese until it’s evenly coated on all sides.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the coated cheese log until ready to serve. Just before serving, drizzle with olive oil to enhance flavor and texture. Enjoy as an appetizer with crackers or fresh bread.
Notes
- For easier rolling, chill the cheese mixture until firm but not frozen solid to prevent cracking.
- You can substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds for a different nutty flavor.
- If fresh herbs are not available, use 1 tablespoon of a dried mixed herb blend but reduce salt accordingly.
- Serve with a variety of crackers, sliced baguette, or fresh vegetables for dipping.
- Leftovers can be wrapped tightly and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
