Marinated Caña de Cabra aka Spanish Goat Cheese. Easy and stunning marinated cheese dish perfect for parties or date night!
Originally Posted: October 1st, 2012 | Updated: February 20th, 2019
If you love cheese or Spanish food, you are going to flip out for this appetizer!
We take Caña de Cabra, a delicious Spanish Goat Cheese and marinate it with smoked paprika, fresh parsley, almonds, extra virgin olive oil and spices for an easy and absolutely STUNNING appetizer that everyone loves!
What is Caña de Cabra?
Caña de Cabra is a soft-ripened Spanish goat cheese. It comes in logs and is usually sliced into rounds. It has a mild yet flavorful earthy taste tinged with citrus.
What can I substitute for Caña de Cabra?
Caña de Cabra is very similar to Bucheron and 4 Montrachet (both from France). These can be easier to find. Caña de Oveja is the Sheepsmilk version but much more firm and tangy. Bottom line, I would try to find Bucheron.
We were invited to a dinner party and I knew the hosts were going to be serving a beautiful Paella. I wanted to create an easy (make ahead) appetizer infused with some of the flavors of Spain.
Something simple yet elegant that would sure to not only impress but would be delicious and pair well with our meal.
This doesn’t get easier!
You buy the cheese, let it sit out for 15 to 20 minutes to soften.
Blend up a paste in the food processor and pat it on along with some Smoked Paprika.
Yep, that is it. We are talking maybe five minutes of prep time and no cooking.
Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!
Marinated Caña de Cabra aka Spanish Goat Cheese. Easy and stunning marinated cheese dish perfect for parties or date night!
- .75 pounds Caña de Cabra (Spanish Goat Cheese)
- 1/4 cup toasted, slivered almonds
- 1/3 cup parsley leaves packed
- 1 tsp smoked paprika plus more for the rinds
- 1/2 tsp finely ground sea salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 T extra virgin olive oil
- crusty bread or crackers for serving
Gather ingredients. Unwrap the cheese and allow the cheese to sit out for 15 to 20 minutes so it softens a bit. This will allow the topping to adhere easier.
Place some smoked paprika on a flat plate.
Use your fingers to spread some smoked paprika over the rind until it is lightly coated. Note that the beautiful red color of the smoked paprika becomes a bit more vibrant as it sits on the rind so don't go overboard.
Combine almonds, parsley leaves, smoked paprika, sea salt, black pepper and olive oil in the bowl of a food processor.
Pulse until coarsely but evenly chopped.
Transfer mixture to a flat plate. Grab goat cheese medallion and gently pat some of the almond mixture onto the top and bottom of the cheese. You want a thin, but even layer on each cheese medallion.
Continue with remaining rounds, refrigerate and allow to set for at least 2 to 3 hours before serving.
Remove from refrigerator at least 20 minutes before serving.
Serve with crusty bread, crackers or crips veggies and Enjoy!
The nutrition information doesn't include bread, crackers or crisp veggies as that can vary greatly on what you serve this with!
Did you make this recipe? Tag @EverydayMaven on Instagram with the hashtag #EveryDayMaven and please give a star rating below.
That is my absolute favorite goat cheese and I never knew the name of it! How funny. I can’t wait to make this simple and wonderful appetizer with it!
I am with you – that cheese is unbelievable. Can you get it easily in Israel? I hope you can make this – you will love it!
This looks dangerously good!
This was Jeanette – it definitely coming out again soon for the holidays!
Okay, yes I am flipping out about this recipe. It looks amazing! Going to bookmark it and try it soon. Thanks for sharing.
P.S.
I can’t wait to see your preview/review of Faith’s cookbook.
Thank you so much Nancy! It is really wonderful – let me know how you like it! 🙂
An elegant recipe! I love herb crusted cheese!!
I adore smoked paprika and this dish looks amazing—it’s got me excited to try it!
I hope you love it and thanks for stopping by!
Pressure is on for me to think of something good for this weekend…eeee!
No pressure – we are keeping it casual lady!
What a beautiful appetizer! Definitely perfect for when you want to impress — and so easy too! Love it. 🙂
Thanks Faith and Kiran!!
Yum! That looks wonderful. I love cheese AND Spanish food, so I’ll have to give this one a go… fingers crossed I can find the cheese in Australia.
If not, hopefully the cheesemonger can recommend something similar!
this looks so super impressive, i bet your host/ess was so pleased that you went along with their spanish theme.
This is the time you need a 3d FOOD printer! Must’ve been a dream…. Merci my friend
Gorgeous presentation! And great for a Spanish-themed meal. I bet your friends were thrilled when you showed up with that!
They were – it really worked out perfectly!
What a fab appetizer, I love it!
Thanks Laura and Lan!
Hardly think I’ll be able to buy this particular goat cheese in the semi-rural Oz market, but am very interested in the topping, which surely would be just as tasty with another goat cheese 🙂 !
I bet it will be Eha – let me know!
Stunning! I want to eat it through the computer!
Thanks Erin – it was amazing!
Love this Alyssa! I always looking for ideas to add to my tapas menu.
This is perfect for a Tapas dinner Lexi 🙂
That sure is easy, simple and elegant. Makes a very impressive presentation.
Thanks Norma – everyone at the dinner party loved it!
Ohhhhhh, I have never used Caña de Cabra before. I must get on that right away!! Looks delicious!
You have too Jess! Let me know how you like it!