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Queso de Cambra

One of my memorable dates with the Baron was when we went to a local tapas place, followed by a romantic evening stroll through the Chicago Botanic Gardens. {And yes, I've got a cheesy grin as I'm typing this.} Another tidbit about the Baron is that he's actually been to Spain and traveled to Barcelona - a place where I would love to go someday. I can only imagine how traditional tapas places are with their varied offerings. But of all the different tapas I've seen on local menus, probably one of my most favorite tapas dishes is Queso de Cambra. It's just tangy baked goat cheese with a fragrant tomato & basil sauce, served on toasted crostini. Simple, yet oh so good...

This is one tapas I think everyone can make easily at home. It only requires bread, goat cheese, tomato sauce and basil. The recipe below adds some minced garlic and olive oil to the bread for additional flavor but it really isn't necessary. For the goat cheese, feel free to substitute with a flavored version that would pair well with tomato sauce. And speaking of the tomato sauce, a can of crushed tomatoes or even your favorite marinara or pasta sauce would work too. I wouldn't use dried basil for the fresh because the flavor just doesn't come through as well with dried basil. To serve, toast some sliced French bread [or gluten free hot dog buns] brushed with olive oil or butter.

Queso de Cambra
recipe from Whole Foods

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • Baguette of bread, sliced
  • 8 ounces goat cheese
  • 1 cup crushed tomatoes or marinara sauce
  • 1/4 cup basil leaves, minced 

Preheat conventional oven or toaster oven to 350°F. Mix together garlic and olive oil and spread over bread slices and place on a baking sheet.

Pat goat cheese into a 1/2-inch pancake and place in shallow baking dish. Ladle tomato sauce into dish to come up to top edge of cheese (do not cover the cheese with sauce). Bake, uncovered, until sauce begins to bubble at edges and cheese is hot, about 25 minutes. 

 During last 10 minutes of baking, toast bread until golden brown. Garnish cheese with basil if using.

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14 comments

  1. Eva @ Eva BakesJune 20, 2013 at 9:25 AM

    Mmmm, you had me at goat cheese!

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  2. AMBER EDWARDSJune 20, 2013 at 9:29 AM

    It's so easy, yet it looks absolutely delicious!! I love it!

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  3. USA Kiwi (Kylee)June 20, 2013 at 9:37 AM

    Yum! I love tapas.
    I spent a bit of time in Spain on my travels, and LOVED hanging out in bars (ahem) and ordering small plates of deliciousness. (I was also a huge fan of the afternoon siesta, but I digress...)

    This looks like a winner, for sure!

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  4. savannahJune 20, 2013 at 9:44 AM

    This looks so yummy and so easy to make! I'm def. going to try it :) Thank u for sharing

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  5. Kari AnnJune 20, 2013 at 9:46 AM

    Yummy! That looks so good and love that it is easy to make!

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  6. NikkiJune 20, 2013 at 9:58 AM

    That looks so yummy, and easy enough that even I could do it without messing it up!

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  7. That GirlJune 20, 2013 at 10:26 AM

    This is like a super fancy version of rotel and velveeta :-)

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  8. BellaVida LettyJune 20, 2013 at 10:45 AM

    Great recipe and simple too.

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  9. Sofia @ From PDX with LoveJune 20, 2013 at 11:02 AM

    So down my alley!! Oh how I wish I could open my screen and take the food out!!

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  10. Cupcake CatJune 20, 2013 at 11:06 AM

    Yummy!! This looks so tasty!!

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  11. earthlingorgeousJune 20, 2013 at 11:08 AM

    Yum,I just love cheese! Thanks for sharing the recipe!

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  12. Sarah-Louise BaileyJune 20, 2013 at 12:31 PM

    Ohh this sounds right up my street I do love cheese!

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  13. Mara @ What's for Dinner?June 20, 2013 at 12:37 PM

    This is my favorite thing to order at tapas! The only thing, the word in Spanish is "cabra", not "cambra"... Spanish teacher nerd here

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  14. Meg WWJune 20, 2013 at 10:04 PM

    Which tapas place did you go to? My favorite tapas restaurant in Chicago was closed the last time I tried to go... it was SO sad!!!

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