Almond Herb Goat Cheese
Rolled in chopped almonds and fresh herbs, this Almond Herb Goat Cheese makes for a quick and tasty summer snack!
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Why is it that lunch always gets overlooked? It’s the meal that gets picked on by breakfast and dinner. It’s the meal that gets beat up on the playground and never picked for the playground baseball game. Lunch is quite often an afterthought in our house. We spend a lot of time thinking about delicious dinners to make on weekend evenings. And I spend more time than any normal person should thinking about tasty breakfast creations. But lunch? Eh, it’s one of those things where we open the fridge and see what we have lying around. Well, it’s time to fix that!
I’ve mentioned before that we are lucky to live near the Saratoga Race Course. Horse racing season begins today, and it runs through early September. We usually make our way up to the track a couple times during the season. While I can’t say that we are huge racing fans, we do enjoy watching a couple of races each year.
One of the coolest things about the track is that you can bring in all of the food and drink that you want. If you show up early and grab a picnic table, then it’s yours for the rest of the day. We typically just pack some meat and cheese for a light lunch, and then we sit in the shade of the pine trees just enjoying the upstate New York summer weather.
Almond Herb Goat Cheese
Almond Herb Goat CheeseThis year, I’m stepping up my game for our lunches at the track. But here’s the thing. It’s still summer, and I’d rather be outside enjoying the weather than stuck in the kitchen. That’s where this quick and easy Almond Herb Goat Cheese comes in. I just grabbed a log of goat cheese at the store and then rolled it in chopped almonds and minced herbs. 5 minutes later, I had this gorgeous snack to serve for lunch. My wife’s parents are coming up next week, and I know we’ll head out to the track at least one day. And you better believe that one of these Almond Herb Goat Cheese logs will be in my cooler!
We’ve always been huge fans of Blue Diamond almonds around our house. They’re the perfect snack when you’re hungry at 4:30, but dinner is still an hour or two away. My wife keeps a can of Blue Diamond almonds in her desk at work, and I may or may not keep several cans in the pantry here at home. Usually we just eat them straight out of the can, but I managed to save enough to chop up for this Almond Herb Goat Cheese.
There’s a rumor that Triple Crown winner American Pharoah will make an appearance at Saratoga later this summer, and that has this entire area buzzing with excitement. But before that, there will be many afternoons of hanging out at the track with family and friends. And there will be plenty of Almond Herb Goat Cheese logs to go around…want to join us?
Did you make this Almond Herb Goat Cheese at home? Leave a comment. Or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog)!
Looking for other tasty appetizer recipes? Check out these favorites, too:
Bacon-Wrapped Breadsticks with Queso
Italian Baked Pierogies
Philly Cheesesteak Cups
Flammkuchen
Maple Glazed Mixed Nuts w/ Candied Bacon
Almond Herb Goat Cheese
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup Blue Diamond Lightly Salted almonds
- ½ Tbsp chopped fresh Italian parsley
- 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 8-oz log of soft goat cheese
Instructions
- Using a food processor or mini-chopper, pulse almonds until finely ground. In a small bowl, combine the almonds with the parsley, thyme, rosemary, lemon zest and black pepper.
- Spread almond-herb mixture on a piece of wax paper or plastic wrap. Roll goat cheese log in mixture until well coated.
- Serve with crackers or slices of toasted baguette.
This “Flavor Your Adventure” post is sponsored by Blue Diamond Almonds. For more snack ideas to “Flavor Your Adventure” this summer, visit Blue Diamond Almonds on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PREACH! Why does lunch always get left out??! I even noticed on some major food blogs out there, that they don’t have a “lunch” section in their recipe categories! It drives me bonkers because lunch is one of my favorite meals of the day! I think the horse races are soo much fun, and how exciting you get to see the triple crown winner! Jealous. But I bet the best part of watching the races is eating this amazing almond herb goat cheese with crackers – YUM. I love goat cheese, and really any kind of cheese, but goat cheese is definitely up there. Great recipe!
Tell me about it, Heather…I love me some lunch! Granted, lunch is often leftovers or something I just cobble together with what I have in the fridge. But I really love when I get to make lunch for reals! Now I’m not sure whether I’ll actually go to the track on the day American Pharoah is there…I bet there wouldn’t be any parking for miles! Maybe I’ll just sit back and eat my almonds and goat cheese in peace. 🙂
David, believe it or not, but there’s one thing I love even more than lavender. CHEESE! Because lavender is a cool whimsical but definitely seasonal kick while cheese is forever! I love this kind of appetizers. With herbs and some seasoning, it’s just divine. Not to mention almonds. But wait, David – lavender is the herb too (haha just saying). P.S. love your fancy knife too.
Wait. You love something more than lavender? Lies, I say! I call shenanigans on that, Ben! But yes, cheese is a forever food. I think I could eat cheese all day long and be perfectly happy. But then you roll it in almonds and herbs? Yes, please! Haha!
WOA – what a spectacular recipe using Blue Diamond Almonds! This quick and easy Almond Herb Goat Cheese will bring lunch back – off the playground floor to it’s rightful place at noon o’clock! 🙂
But wait – I’m bummed because today I learned that I might just not be “normal” as I -like you- “spend more time than any normal person should thinking about tasty breakfast creations”! Duuuuuuuuuuuuude!
Heck yeah! Noon o’clock is where it’s at, Shashi! But let’s talk about normal. I mean we are food bloggers, so there’s no real normal going on in our brains. 🙂
Let’s here it for lunch! I don’t usually get very creative with my lunch, as I don’t have as much time as other meals, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love it.
Oh, and would it be bad for me to eat all this goats cheese to myself?
I hear ya, Dannii…my lunches often consist of whatever leftovers I have laying around, but not on the weekends! That’s when we get out the cheese and delicious crackers. As far as this goat cheese…let’s make a deal. You can have most of it, but you have to save me at least a quarter of it. Ah, forget it…I’ll just make 2. 1 for you. 1 for me. 🙂
Lunch is seriously the best! I’m such a fan of the way it can be super light, or slightly heavier, like dinner. There’s so much wiggle room with lunch- it’s definitely my favorite meal! 🙂 This goat cheese looks amazing and perfect for picnicking!
Preach on, Medha! Lunch is such an overlooked meal, but it can be so awesome. I mean when can you make an almond herbed goat cheese log and call it a meal? Lunch of course! 🙂
Hi David! This, with a nice pate and a baguette makes a fine meal in my opinion! We had pate, bread and a nice Amish blue cheese for dinner the other night! It’s good any time of the year, but especially nice when it’s too hot to cook! I watch the “sell by” date on the goat cheese at my local market and can usually get it for $ .99 for a six ounce log. I also like to slice it into rounds and coat it in panko, which I quickly saute and use for croutons along side a salad! I also freeze them (coated, but not sautéed) so that I have them on hand at a moments notice. 🙂
Now you’re talking, Dorothy! I think my mouth started watering when you mentioned Amish blue cheese. We go to an Amish market down in Maryland every summer (when we’re visiting family) and the cheese section is always one of my favorites! We found an aged gouda there this year that was fantastic…and it might have come home with us. Dude…6 ounces of goat cheese for 0.99? That is a steal! I would stock up on goat cheese (and eat a lot of this almond herb goat cheese, too) at that price!
Mmm goat cheese is wonderful! And I love the almond and herb mixture that it’s rolled in – sounds SO yummy!! 🙂
Thank you so much, Christina! I had a little bit of the almond herb mixture leftover, and I totally snacked on it by itself. I bet it would make an excellent topping to a salad, too! 🙂
very true, lunch is the most neglected meal. I usually eat the leftovers from the previous night haha.. and I love this snack, what a brilliant use of almonds! 🙂
I agree! Lunch is often just leftovers around here, too…but sometimes you just need to step it up and have an awesome lunch for picnics/summer adventures. And that’s where this easy goat cheese log with almonds + herbs comes in. My wife and I totally loved this for a quick and easy summer lunch!
I would love to spend the day with you at the track! How cool that such a famous personality as American Pharoah will be making an appearance! I’m sure this herby nutty goat cheese will be a perfect addition to a picnic lunch! With such a delicious picnic item maybe breakfast and dinner with stop bullying lunch!
Yeah, tell breakfast and dinner to back off! Lunch…especially when it comes to summer picnics…is where it’s at! We are planning our first track outing this weekend. Come on up! I’ll bring an almond herb goat cheese…or two. 🙂
Dude, that is stellar! Love goat cheese and crunchy almonds and lemon zest make this. I’ll email you my address for shipment.
Del Mar Race Track recently started near us, so if I decide to brave the traffic and crowd, this will be brought along to snack on! #WolfpackAppetizers
That’s the challenge…braving the traffic and crowds! But we’ve found that Saratoga isn’t bad at all on weekdays. Of course, it’s a weekday so we have to manage to skip out on work, but that’s ok. It is summer after all, and summer isn’t summer unless you play hooky at least once! 🙂
Horse racing in Saratoga is soooo much fun. Getting hammered while watching horses running and performing: THE.BEST.
Let’s make a deal. You bring some of that Almond Herb Goat Cheese and I’ll bring the booze. Then we can spend the whole day at the races. Deal?
#WolkpackAscot
You sound like you’ve been to Saratoga before, Mike. Perhaps with booze in tow? Haha! I’ll happily make some more of this almond herb goat cheese for a day at the track…come on up!
you know, I’ve never been to a race track! I’m missing out, huh? David, I have to say. . I love this cheese log . . what a GREAT idea for the almonds! love this!
You are definitely missing out, Alice! We had never been to the races before we moved up here, but man is it a fun outing! Bring along some delicious snacks and drinks, and you’re set for spending a day outside under the trees. Oh, and the races are pretty fun, too. 🙂
What a great idea for a snack or lunch. I’ve never thought to make a cheese log before. I guess I had in mind it was lot more work. I need to try this or a cheeseball soon.
Also, I’ve never been to a horse race. Sounds like a lot of fun!
Oh my gosh, it’s so easy, Tamara! Just grab a goat cheese log from the store, and then you’ve got this awesome snack/lunch in 5-10 minutes tops. And definitely check out a horse race if you ever get the chance. We only go up a couple times each season, but it’s still pretty fun. Thanks!
I’m totally guilty of looking down upon Lunch too, which is so odd as growing up- It was breakfast which got the side eye. This cheese log though- Game changer! You could probably sway the vote at the races with it! I mean, after you shot gun the best table 😉
Breakfast never gets the side eye around these parts! I admit that breakfast is often a bit lame during the week because we are trying to be good with what we eat. But lunch? That’s where the cool kids are hanging out these days! I hear they are hanging out eating goat cheese and almonds and herbs. 🙂
You bring a very interesting point here: Lunch really shouldn’t be overlooked. Too often, we just eat what “needs to be eaten” for lunch, but why not cook a delicious meal, such as your delicious goat cheese!
The #bringinglunchback seriously need stop be a thing! Thanks for sharing, David! 😀
We do the same thing, Kennedy! It’s like, “hmmm, what do we need to eat before it goes bad.” But sometimes lunch needs to get special treatment…especially when summer picnics/adventures are involved. I’m loving #BringingLunchBack. Hahaha! Let’s start a trend!