A few weeks ago we went on a little family vacation just before school started. Vacations with kids, you probably know (or can imagine), are a lot of fun, but can be very tiring. To minimize energy waste, we like to get a room with a small kitchenette or at least a (mini) fridge. Why? Because as much as we like to eat out – and we do! The kids too! – it can be quite stressful to do so for a whole week, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and maybe even snacks. That is why. (See my post from last year: 11 tips for eating out (with kids) while on vacation.)
When I find a good deal on a room with a small kitchen and a dining table we eat out only once or twice a day. It saves time, money, we eat better, the kids are more relaxed, we get more fruits and vegetables in our diet, and it feels more like our family meal times at home. Warm and fuzzy. yeah, right, maybe actually more like picky and whiny. But I digress. Preparing/assembling light meals in your room is also a great excuse – as if you need one – to explore and shop at the local farmers market and stores and try new foods.
On our last trip we went shopping at a small store in the village where I found amazing goat cheeses with different flavors. I chose one with olive oil, garlic and rosemary… Need I say more?! At about the same time, I was contacted by Chavrie, the goat cheese company, with a generous giveaway offer. Talk about coincidence.
Here is what you can win:
Gourmet Fall Entertaining (estimated value $100) that includes:
*Williams-Sonoma Cherry Wood Bread Board with Dip Bowl (like the one you see in the photos)
*Cooking.com Gift Certificate for $50.00
*Dried fruits and Crystallized Ginger
*Chavrie Coupons – Free Cheese, of course!
*Chavrie recipe cards (dips, quick tips and wine suggestions)
To win, all you have to do is comment on any post starting today 9/15/09 and ending 10/5/09. (The more comments you post, the bigger your chances to win. Makes sense…). The prize will be sent to the winner directly by Chavrie. Check back after 10/5/09 to see if you have won! Limited to the US only. Sorry.
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One more thing, if you like my blog, please take a few minutes to nominate it for the Foodbuzz Blog Awards.
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A platter of goat cheese
On your beautiful cheese board, put dried fruits, fresh fruits, crackers, bread, nuts, whatever you like or have in the pantry that’s good.
Serve to your guests.
More ideas here: Party Food – Appetizers
One years ago: Cool tools: Baking must-haves, Green blackberries are red, Love-ly Heirloom tomatoes salad
Goat cheese in extra virgin olive oil, garlic and rosemary marinade
1 package (about 4-6 oz.) goat cheese
1 clove garlic, smashed
1 sprig rosemary, lightly crushed to release its flavor
5-6 whole black peppercorns, or grounded
Salt, if needed, taste to see
Extra virgin olive oil, to cover the cheese
Place all the ingredients in a jar. Close with a lid. Refrigerate at least one day ahead.
Serve with toasted bread or crackers.
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Categories : Appetizers, Giveaway, Party Food/Potluck, Recipes
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39 Comments
Vicki
September 17th, 2009 at 13:30
Oh my gosh, this is beautiful! I could live on this stuff.not much of a meat eater. Cheese (any) and fruit? thats me.
Sarah
September 17th, 2009 at 13:39
I love the pictures and the new ideas on how to use goat cheese.
Lori @ RecipeGirl
September 17th, 2009 at 14:40
Looks wonderful- what a great giveaway!
.-= Lori @ RecipeGirl´s last blog ..Apple Muffins Drizzled with Maple Glaze =-.
Kristen
September 17th, 2009 at 14:51
You always manage to make healthy eating look so appealing!
.-= Kristen´s last blog ..Review: The Man Who Loved Books Too Much by Allison Hoover Bartlett =-.
lo
September 17th, 2009 at 15:19
I always think that staying somewhere with a kitchen while on vacation is truly priceless — I’m always finding local delicacies that I’d love to cook up, and I can’t do that if I’m staying in an ordinary hotel room!
Gorgeous photos — and all those goat cheese ideas are making me drool. Fabulous stuff.
.-= lo´s last blog ..Foodbuzz Food Blog Awards: Nominate Your Favorites! =-.
Tricia Z
September 17th, 2009 at 15:31
This looks absolutely delicious- thank you so much!
Deb
September 17th, 2009 at 16:25
You know, I have never had goat cheese! But I think the tray of the cheese, fruit, crackers, and dip is absolutely lovely, and I’m sure delicious.
.-= Deb´s last blog ..Thursday Thirteen ~ Thoughts on a Rainy Day =-.
Lisa
September 17th, 2009 at 19:21
Nurit (love your name, as it was the name of a dear friend during my childhood), I never win anything, so I’m only here to comment on that delicious goat cheese in EVOO. I adore goat cheese, from mild to sharp. Also, your photos are beautiful. Love your blog!
That said, whenever I come up with a recipe, I always ask people who try it to please let me know what can make it better if it doesn’t turn out right or tasty for them. Constructive criticism is always welcome, and I won’t hesitate to give some if a blog recipe I try doesn’t turn out (I will have a blog ‘brownie/blondie/bar cookie’ post up in a month or so. I tried a bunch from different blogs, and not all turned out as I had hoped. Naturally, I won’t say ‘they sucked’..LOL Just whatever it was I think could be improved on. I know how you feel, though..you don’t want to make anyone feel bad!
Finally (long comment, huh?), I was persuing your blog and saw your rugelach entry. I have a recipe that’s amazing, handed from my maternal grandma, which I tweaked. I’ll be covering those as soon as I get some time. However, a little tip..instead of brushing rugelach with egg wash or milk prior to baking, I use melted butter, and then a sprinkling of the cinnmaon sugar. Gives you a much more tender, flaky rugelach!
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Vegan Dum Dum =-.
Debbie
September 17th, 2009 at 19:24
I love goat cheese! Goat Lady Dairy is a local goat farm that sells their delicious cheese at our area farmer’s market & I always buy a log of plain cheese & a tub of their spreadable fig & honey goat cheese combination—yummy!
Rachel
September 17th, 2009 at 19:27
Great giveaway! I love reading your website because of the personal stories that you intertwine with the food!
Karen
September 17th, 2009 at 19:30
Lovely photos. I have to remember that presentation is everything! Thank you!
Christina
September 17th, 2009 at 19:45
Wonderful pics. Your photography is really coming along. I would love to try these cheeses.
Magycmyste
September 17th, 2009 at 19:55
Mmmmmmmmmm………… goat cheese!
Well, actually, mmmmmmmm, cheese, period, but goat cheese is one of my favorites. Gorgeous pictures!
.-= Magycmyste´s last blog ..Book Review: One if by Heaven Two if By Hell by Rick Maydak =-.
jacquie
September 17th, 2009 at 21:25
that looks delicous. and so easy – relatively speaking – to put together.
grace
September 17th, 2009 at 23:57
did you say free cheese? what a coincidence–those are two of my favorite words!
excellent giveaway, and lovely blog!
.-= grace´s last blog ..herwig’s =-.
maris
September 18th, 2009 at 04:39
Your platter looks beautiful! I think every cocktail party needs one
.-= maris´s last blog ..The Bread Baker’s Apprentice Challenge (Week 13) Focaccia Bread =-.
gail
September 18th, 2009 at 04:58
Love goat cheese. I serve it warm drizzled with honey and sliced almonds. Serve with crackers for a delicious appetizer or nosh with a glass of wine.
EG
September 18th, 2009 at 05:44
Oh, I love goat cheese.
We vacationed in San Francisco last summer. All we had as far as a kitchen was a mini-fridge (and I had to tell them our baby had medicine that needed the fridge in order to get that; it was true) but we made the most of it. We went to the farmer’s market when we got there and ate cheese, fruit, and bread at least one meal per day our whole vacation.
I love California.
.-= EG´s last blog ..The Force is Strong with This One =-.
Amy
September 18th, 2009 at 07:43
I love goat cheese but I havn’t had it with any dried fruit or nuts, I will definately have to give it a try!
.-= Amy´s last blog ..TWD: Vanilla Ice Cream =-.
vered - blogger for hire
September 18th, 2009 at 14:14
Your food photography has improved immensely since I have started reading this blog. The photos in this post are so appetizing!
.-= vered – blogger for hire´s last blog ..Patrick Swayze Can Finally Rest in Peace =-.
Vicki
September 18th, 2009 at 18:27
I love goat cheese all ways. Haven’t found a bad one yet.
.-= Vicki´s last blog ..Yakisoba =-.
Helen
September 19th, 2009 at 06:51
Looks Yummy!
Jessie
September 19th, 2009 at 07:44
okay this is one great giveaway! look at all that awesome cheese!
.-= Jessie´s last blog ..Castillo De Jagua =-.
Tamar
September 19th, 2009 at 12:04
Goat cheese seems easier on the stomach and soft cheeses are less acidic to the body.
Jennifer Nicole
September 19th, 2009 at 22:46
It’s like you’re psychic: a good friend of mine just found out she has an allergy to cow’s milk but can still tolerate goat products. I was prepping a platter for a party with her in mind just yesterday!
And that marinade. YUM.
.-= Jennifer Nicole´s last blog ..To Covet: Daisy Vase =-.
Dawn
September 20th, 2009 at 09:36
I fell in love with goat cheese about two years ago…mmmmm. My daughter, 9, also loves it. Cheese and fruit…oh my, it’s a favorite treat of mine…Love the giveaway!!
.-= Dawn´s last blog ..Fitness update =-.
Michele P.
September 20th, 2009 at 14:20
I have used goat cheese in several Mexican dishes and love it, what a great giveaway!
.-= Michele P.´s last blog ..Red’s Eats-The Best Lobster Roll in Maine… =-.
Melissa
September 20th, 2009 at 15:10
I adore goat cheese. I use it in everything! If I want to make a quick weeknight supper, I cook up some pasta, warm up some tomato sauce, and stir in a couple of spoonfuls of goat cheese. Mmmmm. I could live on the stuff.
The recipe with it marinated in olive oil sounds intriguing…how long does it keep like that? And does the oil penetrate all through the cheese? Sounds so good!!
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..Roasted Yellow Pepper Hummos =-.
Nurit - 1 family. friendly. food.
September 20th, 2009 at 15:15
Hey everyone!
I’m sure am glad you are excited about this giveaway. It is a beautiful one. The cheese board is fab!
as well as the fruits and cheese.
Melissa, I made the marinade on Wednesday. I still have some cheese left and it tastes great. I believe the extra virgin olive oil actually keeps the cheese good longer.
Hard to say if it penetrates (although I believe it does) since when you smear some cheese on bread you really taste all these flavors from the oil that clings to the cheese
.-= Nurit – 1 family. friendly. food.´s last blog ..Goat cheese two ways and a new cool giveaway =-.
Carolyn G
September 21st, 2009 at 18:40
Wow fantastic prize. I love Chavrie cheese!! Thanks.
.-= Carolyn G´s last blog ..We might have to build an ark! =-.
Tamar
September 22nd, 2009 at 08:50
I still don’t know what “plout” means. Maybe I read the blog too fast? Either way… Very funny new blog.
Diana
September 22nd, 2009 at 09:44
Oh Nurit, your photos turned out GORGEOUS! I’m obsessed with cheese, it’s my greatest food weakness. I now have to find every post of yours I haven’t commented on so I can win!
.-= Diana´s last blog ..Roasted Acorn Squash Seeds and Mozzarella Salad with Tiki Spice =-.
Elizabeth
September 23rd, 2009 at 14:47
These are fantastic!
We always prefer to stay in a place with some way to cook food too!!
Margie Tosch
September 24th, 2009 at 07:56
There is an Australian Fetta that comes in a can, and it is in olive oil with garlic, peppercorns and herbs. It is fantastic!
.-= Margie Tosch´s last blog ..bottlesinmotion, Joan Dean, Gregoire and 2 more joined Wine And Hospitality Network =-.
Ida
September 25th, 2009 at 09:21
looks delicious!
Melanie D
September 29th, 2009 at 15:01
I just recently discovered goat cheese. I was suprized at how much it reminded me of bleu cheese. The brand I tried had a definite bite to it. I would eat it again. I love most cheese except for swiss.
Kristin Price
October 2nd, 2009 at 16:48
Wow! That looks so delish! Love the tray!
Anna
October 4th, 2009 at 18:40
Love goat cheese! Got to have it
My sister sent me a link to your blog – I have recently made my way back to Seattle and am excited to connect with its food scene and food people! Anna
.-= Anna´s last blog ..Back in the Kitchen – Pork Chili =-.
Kevin harwood
October 23rd, 2009 at 09:39
I was never a fan of goat cheese, even though I really like cheese. Your recipes very appetizing. I am going to have to pick a with goat cheese very soon, for my blog. Thank you for your blog.
.-= Kevin harwood´s last blog ..casserole #2 =-.