Description
A cheese board is always our go-to appetizer for dinners, parties, or Holiday entertaining – A luxurious cheese platter offers a little something for everyone, looks pretty and festive, and is super easy to put together!
Ingredients
Cheese:
- Brie, quartered or wedged
- Gouda, quartered or sliced
- Manchego, quartered or sliced (Aim for a variety of hard, soft, and semi-soft cheeses)
Meat/Charcuterie:
- Salami, folded or fanned
- Prosciutto, folded or bundled
- Coppa, folded or fanned (Choose 2-3 types of cured meats)
Fruit:
- Red seedless grapes (or green)
- Dried apricots
- Other suggestions: Figs, berries, apple/pear slices
Other Items:
- Cornichons / Small Pickles
- Roasted pistachios kernels
- Roasted almonds
- Roasted cashews
- Other suggestions: Olives, honeycomb, jam/preserves
Crackers/Carbs:
- Rosemary flatbread crackers
- Assorted crisps or other crackers
- Other suggestions: Sliced baguette
Garnish:
- Fresh thyme sprigs
- Fresh rosemary sprigs
Instructions
- Choose Your Board: Select a large cutting board, platter, or designated cheese board.
- Place Cheeses: Arrange the quartered or wedged cheeses on the board first. Space them out, perhaps placing them near the corners and/or the center to act as anchors.
- Arrange Crackers: Place groups of crackers and crisps around the cheeses or along the edges of the board. Create variety in placement.
- Add Meats: Fold or fan out the salami, prosciutto, and coppa. Arrange the meats near the cheeses, perhaps flowing between them or tucked into gaps.
- Add Fruit: Place larger fruit items like bunches of grapes around the board. Fill in some of the larger empty spaces with dried apricots.
- Fill Gaps: Fill in the remaining empty spots on the board with the cornichons, almonds, cashews, and pistachios. Aim for a full, abundant look.
- Garnish: Tuck fresh thyme and rosemary sprigs amongst the items for visual appeal and aroma.
- Serve: Serve the cheese board immediately or cover loosely and refrigerate for a short time. Provide small appetizer plates and cheese knives.
Notes
- Variety is Key: Aim for a mix of textures and flavors: hard, soft, and semi-soft cheeses; salty, savory, and sometimes spicy meats; sweet and tart fruits; crunchy nuts and crackers.
- Cheese Preparation: Serve cheeses at room temperature for best flavor. Remove from the refrigerator about 30-60 minutes before serving. Pre-slicing or cubing harder cheeses makes them easier for guests to serve themselves.
- Arrangement: Think about color and texture when arranging. Group similar items together or spread them out. Folding meats adds visual interest.
- Crackers/Bread: Offer a variety of crackers or sliced baguette. Keep very crispy items separate until serving if making ahead to prevent sogginess.
- Add Spreads: Consider adding small bowls of honey, fig jam, or mustard for pairing with the cheeses and meats.
- Storage: Cheese boards are best assembled shortly before serving. Leftover components should be stored separately according to their type (cheese wrapped, meats wrapped, etc.).