Reindeer Dropping Goat Cheese Log For A Very Merry Appetizer
Where’s the fun of the holiday season if you just call food by its name?
After all, the seasons are about spreading merriment, and what brings about smiles?
Yep, good old childhood names that share the things we laughed so hard about but were not supposed to talk about.
So, meet my reindeer dropping goat cheese log for a very merry appetizer and quite covered in well, pecans.
Smiles need to be big, laughter large, and traditions heavy and remembered so they are carried on.
Goat cheese is incredibly white and a great cheese to be placed on a charcuterie board.
That’s something we also create often during the holidays.
Cheeses, meats, nuts, veggies, all the good eats that taste so good with cocktails like Mrs. Claus’s Cherry Amaretto Cocktail
So are you seeing a theme?
I love creating foods and beverages that offer the holiday theme to dazzle their name while flirting with holiday happiness on every level.
Whether you are entertaining or it’s just your immediate family, this is a perfect appetizer.
Serve this on its own or as a part of an appetizer spread or charcuterie tray.
Are you ready to dig into a Reindeer Dropping Goat Cheese Log For A Very Merry Appetizer?
Before we get to the name: Reindeer Dropping Goat Cheese Logs …
Babbo Natale & Formaggio di Capra
So Babbo Natale is Santa Claus in Italian.
And if you are curious Formaggio di Capra is Goat Cheese.
After spending lots of time on our family’s farm, we became very well-acquainted with latte di Capra ( goat milk) and Capra (goats).
After all, they are a huge part of our families’ business.
I have explained that one of our families crafts cheese for markets before, so this should not be a surprise when I am recanting.
Try My Sesame Seed Cookies, you’ll love these for the holiday season
Formaggio di Capra
In my home, it was not cookies and milk for Santa (Babbo Natale), instead, it was Formaggio & pane (bread and cheese) with a glass of vino (wine).
Non-tradition to all of you, but the norm.
Naturally, on Christmas morning the plate was polished off as was the wine and Babbo Natale even wrote to me once and said he took a little more vino for the road (LOL)
I’m the adult who never grew up inside, you know a child at heart.
Live lightly, enjoy every day, and remember that each day is a gift.
The spirit of the holidays actually overflows into my life, every day, week, and month throughout the year.
Live, laugh, love.
That’s how I keep light-hearted and non-grinch-like!
Naturally, we serve reindeer dropping in covered goat cheese logs in our home every year.
From The Mouth Of Babes
However, as the kids started to grow up and enjoy the Toasted Pecans and Honey Drizzled Goat Cheese Log, they asked if we could make a FUN Name for it.
“Mommy, you call your wine, Mrs. Claus’s Night Night, why don’t we name the cheese log? ”
Ok, so here’s where it got interesting.
One of the kids wanted to keep it Reindeer drizzle because they love goat cheese just with honey, but they got overruled.
In fact, the older 2 decided that Reindeer Dropping Covered Goat Cheese log was perfect.
And that’s how our story today has become traditional and finally, I am sharing it with you!
Reindeer Dropping Goat Cheese Log
This is probably one of the most versatile cheese logs you can create.
Of course, you could do a Snow-Covered Goat Cheese Log with Cardinal Berry Poo (red jam over the goat cheese)
As far as variations, start thinking about ingredients you have seen on a cheese log.
Are there some items you truly don’t like atop cheese?
Tangy, mild, sweet, different goat cheese yields different tastes.
Now the key to a great recipe is the twist you put on it.
Inspiration is right in front of you when you have goat cheese in your shopping cart.
What Can I Top A Goat Cheese Log with?
Toasted peanuts?
Pistachios, chopped walnuts, cashew pieces, maybe pine nuts?
Don’t stop there.
Consider other nutless options as well.
Have you ever considered using fresh herbs like chives, parsley, etc?
What about edible flowers?
Chopped dried fruits such as figs and apricots are great too!
Now if you want to just set out a goat cheese log with some friends and have some wine, I’ve got the best suggestion.
Use my chocolate ganache recipe, coat the goat cheese log, and then chop some pistachio pieces atop the log.
Don’t forget the white wine.
Want a spicy nut that is sweet too?
Spices Make Everything More Tasty!
For those that want to really create a festive goat cheese log, try this.
Cinnamon and a spritz of sugar.
Or maybe some colorful sugars from baking,
Don’t forget things like red pepper flakes and freshly ground pepper.
Olive oil and lemon zest.
Smoked Paprika and a dash of ginger.
You are getting the idea right?
If you love spices, use them and you’ll savor them more in each bite of this log!
No Squishing The Goat Log Please
For anyone that has NOT worked with goat cheese, you may not know that it totally can go ‘S-Q-U-I-S-H’ when you attempt to cut it.
Yuck.
So, if you want ROUND perfect slices, this will sound totally off the wall but when I saw my Aunt in Italy do this, I was like INGENIOUS.
Use dental floss to slice logs into uniform, round slices instead.
Remember to NOT use mint flavor floss.
Reindeer Dropping Covered Goat Cheese Log
Ingredients
- A 4-oz. goat cheese log chilled
- 3 Tbsp. honey (organic is best but you can use any). Also, you can sub AGAVE (reindeer drizzle )
- 2/3 c. pecans toasted THEN finely chopped reindeer Droppings
- Freshly milled pepper --
- Cut chive or chopped parsley for garnish or pretend grass the reindeer might have been dragging along, lol
- Plated assortment of crackers and crudités
- One Cranberry if you want it to be Rudolph's droppings
Instructions
- PECAN PREP
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Next line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or my fave, a silicon mat.
- Take the WHOLE pecans and place them on this prepared baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven for only 10 minutes.
- Watch them they will burn.
- About five minutes in, you can turn them, be careful handling the tray with a hot mitt or you'll get burned.
- You want to toast the pecans evenly.
- Once they are done remove them from the oven and allow them to cool for about 20 minutes.
- Then, chop, and set them aside!
- Remember you are using these as reindeer droppings and they should be edible and small for biting into, so make sure to chop enough that the chunks are not large droppings.
- Once you have properly chopped those reindeer droppings, it's time to work with the goat cheese log
- GOAT CHEESE PREP
- First, Remove goat cheese from the package.
- Next drizzle honey over the surface. (or if you used agave, do the same)
- Gently spread honey with clean fingers until the entire surface is covered.
- Basically, you are coating the log ( we kid around and say this is reindeer drizzle, um.. No. 1)
- Then, take the prepared chopped and toasted pecans, and put them on a small plate.
- Additionally, I Sprinkle with freshly milled pepper but that's just an option and for some ZING.
- Now it's time to 'gently' honey-coated goat cheese log in the nuts.
- Roll and roll again until you get it covered.
- Naturally, you can round out the look by using your fingers to push a few toasted nut pieces into any area not covered by the nuts with more nuts. (I'm sorry reindeer droppings).
- Last, (please remember I have kids and we make this together so they add to the recipes) add in some chopped chive tops or green parsley, The kids say that's what the reindeer had on his feet when he stopped to do the dropping!
Finally, transfer the goat log to a serving platter and cover it with a lid or very LOOSE plastic wrap. - Chill for at least 15 minutes before serving.
- Remember, to cut, use my tips in the post.
- Enjoy. It's a lot of fun and quite tasty!