Ingredients:

  • 8 oz plain goat cheese
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely minced
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tsp lemon zest, finely grated
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

  1. Place the goat cheese on a piece of parchment paper. If the log is too irregular, gently roll it in plastic wrap to create a smooth, uniform cylinder. Note: A smooth surface ensures the crust is even
  2. Mince the parsley, chives, and thyme. Ensure they are chopped very fine to maximize the surface area.
  3. Combine the minced parsley, chives, thyme, lemon zest, and black pepper in a small bowl.
  4. Stir the herb mixture with a fork until the lemon zest is evenly distributed and the smell is zesty and bright.
  5. Roll the cheese log through the herb mixture. Note: This provides the first layer of coverage
  6. Press firmly with your palms to embed the herbs into the cheese. Feel for the herbs to sink slightly into the velvety surface.
  7. Rotate the log 360 degrees, repeating the pressing motion until every inch is covered in a dense crust.
  8. Let the log sit for 2 minutes to allow the herbs to set into the fat of the cheese.
  9. Use a sharp knife to slice the log into rounds until you see a clean, white center.
  10. Arrange the rounds on a platter, ensuring the green edges are facing upward.