As far as I am concerned cheese boards reign supreme when it comes to entertaining. Those edible mosaics offer a little nibble for every type of eater, are stunning to look at, and can inspire even the pickiest guests at your next party to burst out of their comfort zones and try something new, like this Edible Flower Infused Goat Cheese !
{{ The recipe and post for this Edible Flower Infused Goat Cheese was made in partnership with Pompeian. We received product and compensation in exchange for it. Opinions are always our own. If we don’t love it, you don’t hear about it. Thanks for your continued support! }}
If you are a regular here on our site then you already know how enamored I am with edible flowers, but if you are new here let me just fill you in...
Over the past few years I’ve shared some of my favorite floral inspired recipes like my go-to sleepy time sipper, the chamomile steamer. Margaritas and savory cashew cream infused with hibiscus, homemade sodas and quick breads using a classic combination of lavender with blueberry, and I’ve even shared my favorite rose laced smoothie! While I have made the essence of the flowers the star many times before, I’ve never really made the petals and buds themselves the main attraction, until now.
Today, we are teaming up with our friends at Pompeian to show you just how easy it is to embrace this increasingly popular food trend in your own home! With just a few ingredients you can take an ordinary cheese board component like marinated goat cheese to all new levels both esthetically and in taste, but I bet you have a few questions for me before you jump right in! Let's see if I can answer them for you….
Where the heck do I buy edible flowers?
When we lived in LA I had no problem finding edible flowers in the produce section of the grocery store and Whole Foods, however since we moved to Georgia it’s become slightly more difficult. My best advice if you would like to purchase from a local grower is to check out the farmer’s markets in your area. Talk to the growers and ask what they can provide for you. If you are just looking for edible flowers FAST, then I suggest you check out Gourmet Sweet Botanicals. My friend Lauren of Harvest and Honey turned me on to them last year when I was looking for micro carrots for a kid-friendly mezze platter and I have been hooked ever since. I ordered the cucumber flowers, purple basil blossoms, and chive blossoms I used in this recipe from them. They’re prices are reasonable and they always have impeccable quality, so you'll definitely be in good hands with them.
Do the edible flowers really effect the taste of the goat cheese or are they just for looks?
The answer here is YES!! The chive blossoms and purple basil blossoms taste exactly like you would expect them too. Like chives and basil! While the yellow cucumber blossoms have a very mellow, almost grassy like flavor.
What can I do with the leftover edible flowers after I make the Edible Flower Infused Goat Cheese?
The sky is the limit here!! When I have them on hand I love adding a sprig of basil blossoms as a garnish to my apple basil spritzer. Chive blossoms would be a beautiful garnish sprinkled over sheet pan nachos or chicken shawarma. While the cucumber blossoms would be great tossed throughout a seasonal green salad with a simple vinaigrette. The sky is the limit really, anywhere you can use fresh herbs you can use these blooms! If you decide that you are as obsessed as I am and want to fully embrace this whole edible flower + cheeseboard concept than I highly suggest you also check out the Epic Floral Cheese Platter that my friend Haley created! I’m actually trying out her rose water pickles for the first time this weekend and couldn’t possibly be any more excited.
I can’t decide whether to make just the Edible Flower Goat Cheese Balls or if I want to make the Marinated Edible Flower Goat Cheese. Which is your favorite?
I say both! An 8-ounce log of goat cheese will make 8 (1 -ounce) goat cheese balls. The process and ingredients for both of these recipes is the same except the marinated goat cheese soaks in Pompeian Robust Extra Virgin Olive Oil for a few days before serving. You can prepare all of the goat cheese balls on the same day, indulge in 4 right away, and then marinate the other 4! I promise you won’t regret the decision to do both.
Did I answer all of your questions? If not, leave a comment below and I will answer it for you!
If I have answered them all then what are you waiting for? Invite over a few friends, build your cheeseboard, and fill the wine glasses!
If you’ve made this Edible Flower Infused Goat Cheese or any of the other recipes on our site, don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know what you thought in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, and PINTEREST to see more delicious food, design, and decor.
PrintEdible Flower Infused Goat Cheese Two Ways
Both variations of this Edible Flower Infused Goat Cheese are great on their own, but they are also incredible tossed with pasta, spread onto sandwiches, or even used as the topper on a perfectly grilled steak!
Ingredients
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
8 chive blossoms, flowers stripped from buds
5 purple basil blossoms, flowers stripped from stalk
5 cucumber blossoms, petals removed from the bud
1 teaspoon lemon zest
½ tablespoon pink peppercorns (crushed), optional
¼ teaspoon flaky sea salt
1 8-ounce log soft fresh goat cheese, cut into 8 equal rounds and formed into balls
1 ½ tablespoons Pompeian Robust Extra Virgin Olive Oil, more if making marinated goat cheese
Fresh herb sprigs, for garnish
Serve with toasted crostini, crackers, fresh fruit, charcuterie
Instructions
To make Edible Flower Goat Cheese Balls:
Mix all of the herbs, lemon zest, crushed peppercorns, and sea salt together and spread evenly on a plate. Roll the individuals balls of goat cheese one at time in the flower petals and herbs to coat. Once coated place the goat cheese balls in a shallow bowl or serving dish and drizzle with 1 ½ - 2 tablespoons of Pompeian Robust Extra Virgin Olive Oil and serve immediately.
To make Marinated Edible Flower Goat Cheese:
Mix all of the herbs, lemon zest, crushed peppercorns, and sea salt together and spread evenly on a plate. Roll the individuals balls of goat cheese one at time in the flower petals and herbs to coat. Set the finished goat cheese balls on a plate until they are all completed.
Pour 2-3 tablespoons of Pompeian Robust Extra Virgin Olive Oil in the bottom of a glass jar with a tight fitting lid. Place one of the Edible Flower Goat Cheese Balls into the jar then pour Pompeian Robust Extra Virgin Olive Oil into the jar to cover. Add the next Edible Flower Goat Cheese Ball into the jar then completely submerge it with Pompeian Robust Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Complete the process with all of the balls of cheese until they are completely submerged in olive oil. Seal the jar and store in the refrigerator for at least 3 days so the flavors can fully develop and up to 3 weeks. Bring to room temperature before serving.
Notes
If you are not using crushed pink peppercorns you will want to add 1 teaspoon ground black pepper to the herbs.
Linda in Asheville says
This is off-the-charts cool! (And I love your homesteading hands & images <3)
★★★★★