The perfect way to kick-off a party is an epic cheese board! Use this recipe/guide to make the perfect cheese board. Be whimsical and have fun!
Ingrédients
For Cheese (5 options) : Various cheese (get a mix of flavors, textures, shapes, and colors)
- Hard Cheeses: Parmagian Reggiano and Sharp Cheddar, for example
- Soft Cheeses: Brie and creamy Greek Feta
- Semi Soft Cheese: Sliced Swiss
- Other: Sliced cheddar
- alpine cheese
For Meats and charcuterie ( 5 options)
- Proscuitto di Parma
- salami (hard or soft)
- Coppa or Hot Capicola
- sopressata
- chorizo/mortadella
Accompaniments
- Crackers and small-sliced breads Sliced baguette or pita chips
- Fresh vegetables and fruit: cucumbers; grapes; sliced pears or apples, grapes, cherry tomatoes, cherries for example
- Sweet: dried figs; and honey or jam or also chocolate
- Tangy: olives and other marinated items like artichokes pickles, roasted peppers, tapenades, almonds, cashews, or spicy mustards
- Finish it off with some garnishes. This is a great way to give your cheese board a seasonal touch. Use edible flowers, fresh herbs, or additional fruits to give your board the look and feel you want.
Instructions
First Method :
- On a large wood board or serving platter of your choice, place one ingredient in the center of the board and 4 others on each of the corners to create shape to the board. I placed my hummus bowl in the center of the board, and in the 4 corners, a round of brie; square of aged cheddar; a bowl of olives; and a bowl of creamy crumbled feta.
- From there, fill in the board from the center to the corners with the remaining cheeses, meats, and accompaniments. Take a look and see where the gaps are, add more items as needed. Garnish with fresh herbs.
Second Method :
- Begin by spreading the cheese wedges, logs, and wheels evenly throughout the cheese board surface. Add cheese knives.Next, fill around the cheese with the salty items (meats,charcuteries, nuts, olives, etc.).Then, add a few piles of sweet items(fruit, dried fruit, chocolate, etc.).
- Pile in the crunchy items and the condiments in small jars or bowls(crackers, pita chips, breadsticks, etc.).
- Next, fill in any empty spaces with space-filling items like grapes, cherry tomatoes, or cherries.
- Finally, garnish the cheese board with fresh herbs and edible flowers.
Notes
TIPS FOR MAKING THE ULTIMATE CHEESE BOARD:
- Offer a variety of savory and sweet ingredients. The truth is everyone likes their cheese a little different. Some like it savory, some like it sweet, and some like a combination of both. The best cheese boards have something for everyone.
- Offer a variety of textures. Because eating is such a sensory experience, a variety of textures makes any cheeese board more interesting. Consider ingredients with various textures such as creamy, crunchy, crumbly, gooey, and crisp.
- Use cheese markers to label cheese so everyone knows what they're getting.
- Bring cheeses to room temperature before serving in order to bring out their true flavor.
- Don't forget the knives, spoons, toothpicks, etc.