Farmstead Goat Cheese from La Cuesta Farm

Goats browsing on the farm
As a Grade A goat dairy our primary function is the raising of goats for the production of milk and cheese. We feed, house, care for our animals, milk them, produce the Grade A quality goat milk in accordance with all the regulations for Grade A. If time permits and daily milk production warrants, we make Texas goat cheese. A factory-made cheese maker buys milk from one or many sources - not usually Grade A - and at a cost below what it takes to produce Grade A milk. Much greater care must be taken in milk collection and processing to meet Grade A standards. This is not to say that excellent

Alberto at the Milk Station
quality goat cheese is not possible from a factory - it most certainly is and there are most definitely highly skilled artisans making it. It does not imply that real farmstead goat cheese or artisan goat cheese is better than factory produced cheese. We simply want our customers to know that we don’t have the option of buying milk from anyone for our cheese - nor would we want to. Our goat cheese is produced in small batches from our own Grade A whole goat milk, usually 2-4 pounds at a time.

Alberto’s goat cheese making process was learned the hard way - by trial and error and childhood memories of his grandmother making Queso. While we believe the quality is superb, appreciation of the time and effort to produce it should not be forgotten.

Goat Cheese Offered by La Cuesta Farm

CW from top, Chevre, Suave, Feta, Queso Blanco
La Cuesta Farm offers a small variety of Texas goat cheese to please even the most discriminating palate: Renowned architect Mies van der Rohe said “less is more”. He also stated ´I don’t want to be interesting I want to be good.” Goat cheese maker, Alberto Garza emboldens these concepts with the goat cheese he produces. The goat cheese is not herbed, marinated, or otherwise complicated. The pure simplicity of La Cuesta farm goat cheese stands on its own. We’ll let you season to your heart’s content if you so choose. We may however, occasionally offer a special that strays from our norm.

Queso Blanco (traditional Mexican goat cheese). This mild flavored cheese is great in many Mexican and southwestern

Goat Queso Blanco
cuisine dishes. It has a fresh milky taste. It does not melt and it browns well, capturing the flavors of the dish with which it is cooked. It is also great in stir fries, can be substituted for bean curd in Chinese cooking, may used in stuffing, in salads, and it is pleasant substitute for ricotta cheese. Serve it with salads, pasta or all by itself. It is delicious when served with cajeta (Mexican caramel sauce)

Chevre is a soft, cultured goat cheese that is a wonderful and healthy substitute for cream cheese. It is lower in calories,

Goat Chevre

cholesterol, fat, and higher in protein than cream cheese. It is delicious seasoned for dips and spreads, in soups and sauces, and in deserts such as cheesecake, mousse, and frostings. The uses for this healthy Texas goat cheese are limited only by your imagination. This goat cheese is normally produced lightly salted; however the salt can be eliminated for you if ordered a few days in advance. Our chevre was recently judged among the top ten best goat cheeses in the South by Southern Foodways Alliance. Judges said: “creamy, milky, mild” “moist and curdy” “fresh and nicely dense.” This chevre pairs well with dry sparkling wines, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc or Pinot Noir wines. Serve after dinner with sliced apples or pears or with fresh strawberries and pecans.

Flame Roasted Green Chile ‘n Garlic is our superb chevre with organically home grown and flame roasted New Mexico green chiles, gently sautéed with extra virgin olive oil and fresh garlic. The infusion of flavor with just the right amount of heat perfectly complements the tartness of the chevre.


Feta is a traditional Greek cheese. Our goat milk Feta is ripened and salted for three days then stored in salt water


Goat Feta
brine for at least one week to intensify its robust flavor. As with the chevre, there are many uses for this wonderful goat cheese, including with or on salads or served alone with a drizzle of good quality olive oil and a shake of hot pepper flakes. Use it in a Greek scramble on grilled or broiled beef. It marries beautifully with anchovies, capers, black olives or tomatoes. Pinot Noir wine complements feta nicely. Because this goat cheese is heavily brined and packaged in brine the saltiness may be too intense for some palates. Simply soak in fresh milk or water for ten minutes prior to serving.

Suave

Suave (swa-vay) Supreme is a tangy soft crumbled goat cheese, delicately soft to the palate and creamy with sharp feta overtones. It's wonderful in any recipe calling for goat cheese and it is great on salads. It appeals to the palate of both chevre and feta lovers and is equally versatile. It’s good in salads, with fruit, appetizers, and quiche, to name a few. Alberto developed this one just for you. Be sure to include it on your order. Suave Supreme may be used and served as you would chevre or feta.


Fusion

Fusion is a wild departure from our simply perfect cheese.  This confection of our best chevre, Valrhona Caraibe chocolate, and toasted nuts (almonds, pecan pistachio, or pinion) is a truly decadent delicacy.  Meant to be savored like a fine wine, a two ounce portion will please and satisfy the most discriminating palate.  Goat cheese lovers and chocolate lovers alike will appreciate the nutty chocolate ganache crust, a mousse-like chevre and chocolate center with a lightly honey-sweetened chevre topping, drizzled with ganache and dusted with 100% chocolate and orange zest.  Beware!  Fusion can be addictive.  Fusion is packaged with instructions for unmolding and plating.  Let your imagination run wild for your presentation for small family gatherings, cheese plates, and those very special or intimate dinner parties and teas.  Shown here with a blackberry coulis, fresh blackberries, and orange wedges. 

La Cuesta Farm goat cheese is gaining in popularity. Our supplies are limited.  Place your order now or come by and see us “down at the farm” for a tour and tasting treat you will not soon forget.