On my recent work trip to the Loire Valley, I had the chance to visit a goat farm, which we recommend to our travelers with a special interest in French gastronomy. I saw dozens of different goat cheeses and other goat dairy products, and it's clear to me why goat cheese dishes are popular in the Loire region!

Goat cheese farm shop in the Loire Valley
Goat cheese farm shop in the Loire Valley
©

France Just For You

This classic goat cheese salad recipe is elegant and easy to prepare if you're short of time. Add toasted rounds of creamy goat cheese to crisp salad greens, drizzled with a tangy vinaigrette - it's a perfect 'taste of France' if you're looking for a light lunch option or appetizer you can easily recreate at home.

Ingredients (serves 4)

  • 8 oz (225 g) fresh goat cheese (chèvre log)
  • 1 small baguette (or rustic French bread), cut into 8 slices
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 5 oz (140 g) mixed salad greens (e.g., baby arugula, mesclun, or spring mix)
  • 1 small cucumber, sliced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ¼ cup walnuts or pecans, toasted (optional)

For the vinaigrette:

  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar (or balsamic vinegar)
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp honey
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Slice the goat cheese into 8 rounds. Place one round on each baguette slice.
  3. Arrange the slices on a baking sheet, drizzle lightly with olive oil, and bake for 10–12 minutes, until the bread is crisp
  4. Meanwhile, whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients in a small bowl.
  5. Toss the salad greens, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes with the vinaigrette.
  6. Divide the salad among 4 plates, then top each with 2 warm goat cheese toasts.
  7. Sprinkle with toasted walnuts or pecans if desired, and serve immediately.

Bon Appétit!

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Kimberly
Planning our trip via France Just For You was an amazing experience from beginning to end! Emilie's professionalism, attention to detail, thorough and thoughtful communication, and expertise made our recent trip to France one of the smoothest and most enjoyable we've ever experienced. France Just For You truly cares about the individual needs …
Michael
My wife and I are fairly seasoned travelers so when we decided to include a trip to France in our year long 50th Anniversary Celebration we wanted to do something different. We looked at group travel companies including those who specialize in "small" groups. None of them had the flavor we were looking for. In my search for somethin new I happened …
Bill
France Just For You is a service I highly recommend regardless of how much experience you have traveling through France. Emilie does an amazing job of putting together an exciting and interesting itinerary, taking you to places and meeting people you would never find on your own. Not only are her ideas great, but she is also very thorough. Her trip …
Jeanne & Michael from Australia
A Great Cultural Experience What we loved most about our wonderful trip was the special activities that FJFY hand picked and tailor made for our interests. We did an awesome cooking experience in Provence, a fun food and wine walking tour with in Nice and a very enjoyable and informative walk in Lagrasse with Carlos. We visited many local markets …
Judy
I can echo everything that has been said in the previous three reviews. The personalization of this entire trip was incredible and Emilie communicated quickly and completely, both in the planning of the trip and after we were in France. My husband and I were spending four weeks in France in celebration of our 50th anniversary. We were a little …
Chuck
Emilie was a great help in planning our trip and the accommodations and recommendations were excellent and well thought out. Unless you speak French and know the countryside, this is the best company for you to use to have a superb vacation and I would use them again anytime. They give you options so you can do what you like, but help with the …