Warm Herb and Jam Goat Cheese Spread

Exactly zero people have to know how incredible easy this goat cheese appetizer is. Let’s keep this between you, me, and a tree.

We’re talking smoke and mirrors, a little bit of shock and awe, a few cloaks, and a dagger or two.

Here’s what we’re doing:  crumbling goat cheese, spooning jam out of a jar, heating the jam with herbs, pouring it over goat cheese, sprinkling with pepper and BOOM!  Fancy crackers and GO!

This recipe leaves us just enough time to wrap our hostess gifts, comb our bangs, put on two matching shoes, and carry on carry on.  Let’s let some things be easy… and let’s not tell anyone at all… except each other.  This is our safe space.

In the realm of all things easy cheese, you might also consider this Whipped Ricotta spread.

It’s amazing how easy it is to transform store-bought jam with bit of fresh herbs.  Instant fancy!

Also… I should tell you now that this recipe uses a microwave.  We’re just getting right down to it, cool?

I paired apricot jam with fresh rosemary.  It’s woodsy and fragrant and summer-sweet.

Strawberry jam is paired with just a hint of thyme.  The thyme adds a savory quality to the sweet strawberry jam.

Fresh tarragon would also be really wonderful (but I didn’t have that in my fridge and I’ve killed my herb garden and my hair was a hot mess so I couldn’t go to the store and thyme is just fine, ok… GEEZ!).

This recipe is totally flexible!  Grab that goat cheese, pick your favorite jam, chop up your favorite herb.  Heat.  Cover.  Serve!

Serve the goat cheese with lots of pretty plates, linens, and fancy crackers (I’m partial to these Raincoast Crisps from Canada).  Shock and awe.  Too easy.

Warm Herb and Jam Goat Cheese Spread

Print this Recipe!

6 to 8 ounces goat cheese, crumbled and kept cold

3 to 4 tablespoons strawberry jam

1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme or tarragon

3 to 4 tablespoons apricot jam

1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary

fresh cracked black pepper

crackers, for serving

Divide goat cheese between two serving bowls.  Place strawberry jam and fresh thyme or tarragon in a small microwave safe bowl and heat in the microwave for about 20 to 30 seconds, or until warm.  Heat the apricot jam and fresh rosemary in the same way.

Just before serving, spoon the warm jams over the prepared goat cheese.  Sprinkle with fresh ground black pepper and serve immediately with good crackers.