Ingredients
Scale
- 2 medium-sized beets
- 8 oz goat cheese, softened
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (plus extra for garnish)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans, if preferred)
- Fresh herbs for garnish (optional)
- Crackers or sliced baguette for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Wash the beets thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt. Pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Wrap each beet individually in aluminum foil. This will help them steam and roast evenly.
- Place the wrapped beets on a baking sheet and roast in the preheated oven for about 45-60 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Once done, remove the beets from the oven and let them cool slightly before unwrapping. Be careful, as they will be hot!
- Once cool enough to handle, peel the skins off the beets. You can use your hands, but I recommend wearing gloves to avoid staining your fingers. Cut the beets into small cubes and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened goat cheese and cream cheese. Using a hand mixer or a spatula, blend them together until smooth and creamy.
- Add in the fresh lemon juice, honey, thyme leaves, salt, and black pepper. Mix until everything is well incorporated.
- Gently fold in the roasted beet cubes into the cheese mixture. Be careful not to overmix, as you want to maintain some of the beet’s texture and color.
- Lay out a large piece of plastic wrap on your countertop. Spoon the beet and cheese mixture onto the center of the plastic wrap.
- Using the plastic wrap, shape the mixture into a log by folding the sides of the wrap over the cheese. Roll it tightly to form a log shape, twisting the ends of the plastic wrap to secure it.
- Once shaped, place the log in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to firm up.
- In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the chopped walnuts for about 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Once toasted, remove the walnuts from the heat and let them cool slightly.
- Once the cheese log has chilled and firmed up, unwrap it from the plastic wrap. Roll the log in the toasted walnuts, pressing gently to ensure they adhere to the cheese.
- After coating, you can wrap the log back in plastic wrap and refrigerate it until you’re ready to serve.
- Remove the cheese log from the refrigerator and unwrap it from the plastic wrap.
- Transfer the log to a serving platter. You can garnish with fresh herbs and additional thyme leaves for a pop of color.
- Serve with crackers or sliced baguette on the side for dipping.
- Enjoy this delightful appetizer with friends and family!
Notes
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- This Roasted Beet Goat Cheese Log is perfect for gatherings and can be made ahead of time.
- Just ensure to keep it refrigerated until serving.
- Feel free to experiment with different nuts or herbs to customize the flavor to your liking!
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- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes