Say Goat Cheese, Please

Sometimes foods with fancy names are just that- fancy names with little or no flavor. But when you hear the words "creamy, farmstead goat chevre", at the Little Italy Mercato, we don't mess around. We're talking serious flavor matched with serious luxury. Surprisingly, there's quite a few folks who have no idea about the magic deliciousness of goat cheese. It's lavish, creamy, rich, and slightly tangy. Like cream cheese, but 100% more real and savoury. 

Make the most of fall and use up the scraped out flesh from all your pumpkins for a creamy, sensational Goat Cheese Pumpkin Cheesecake that is sure to satiate your sweet-tooth. Pick up a fresh block of goat cheese from Nicolau Farms and a gorgeous Jack-o-lantern pumpkin from JR organics or a Cinderella pumpkin from Suzie's. Combine with fragrant spices like nutmeg cinnamon, and fresh vanilla from Just Spice to create perfect fall flavors.

Goat cheese adds complexity and pizazz to any appetizer, especially when combined with other pungeant cheeses. Try making an oven baked tomato tart at home for your next gathering. Layer fresh slices of heirloom tomatoes from Tom King Farms on a thinly sliced loaf of sourdough bread from Bread and Cie. Drizzle garlic inflused olive oil from Gianni's with fresh black olives from Lisko Imports and top with grated parmesean cheese from Taste Cheese. Add a few sprigs of thyme from Suzie's to round out the flavors as it bakes, and you've got an impressive, flavor filled side dish.

Or maybe a simple, decadent salad is more appealing to you- Take home some locally raised bacon from Da Le Ranch, and saute it with sweet purple bell peppers from Suzie's and crimini mushrooms from Kawano Farm. Layer it all upon a bed of fresh spinach and red onions from Schaner Farms, and shaved goat cheddar from Spring Hill Cheese.