Delicious Goat Cheese Mousse Appetizer

Goat cheese has an intense flavor, especially when it’s young. If you prefer a milder flavor, or if you want to turn it into a decadent, rich appetizer that will wow your dinner guests, try this goat cheese mousse. While it appears to be sophisticated, it is incredibly easy and quick to prepare because it’s a no-cook dish.

Goat cheese straight from the fridge tends to be solid and crumbles easily. Take it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before and let it come to room temperature. It is much easier to stir when the cheese is soft, and the mousse comes out smooth without any lumps.

For the herbs, you have several choices. Chives taste especially good added to goat cheese mousse, but you can substitute other finely chopped fresh herbs such as basil, thyme, or rosemary. If you don’t have fresh herbs, you can use the French herb mix herbes de Provence instead.

You can also add other ingredients to give the mousse a more complex flavor as well as color. For a Mediterranean touch, add a tablespoon of finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes or black olives. A pinch of fresh garlic is a nice addition, too, as long as it’s not too much and does not overpower the goat cheese flavor.

This vegetarian mousse is ideal for preparing ahead for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or a party buffet.

For serving, you have several options. You can either serve it in a bowl with slices of bread or crackers and let the guests help themselves. Or you can use the mousse as a topping or spread for ready-to-eat canapés or crostini and serve them as elegant finger food.