Andy Montoya
A cheese board is a fun, versatile, and delicious addition to any gathering. The first step to making a cheese board is selecting a board. Cheese boards are typically assembled on a slate or wooden tray, but any flat surface will do. Next, select your cheeses, choosing a variety of flavors and textures. Include cheeses from different families, such as aged, soft, hard, and blue cheese. Then, add some charcuterie, also known as cured meats, such as prosciutto, salami, or chorizo. To add some savory flavors, include olives, pickles, roasted peppers, or tapenade. For a touch of sweetness, add seasonal fruits, dried fruits, honey, or even chocolate. Finally, offer a variety of breads and crackers, and don't forget the garnishes, such as edible flowers or fresh herbs.
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What You'll Learn
- Choosing your cheeses: Aim for a variety of colours, shapes, textures, and strengths
- Preparing your cheeses: Take the cheeses out of the fridge 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving
- Selecting accompaniments: Include charcuterie, crackers, bread, fruits, nuts, condiments, and garnishes
- Arranging your board: Create an anchor in the centre and fill in the gaps with the remaining items
- Serving your board: Use
Choosing your cheeses: Aim for a variety of colours, shapes, textures, and strengths
When choosing your cheeses, aim for a variety of colours, shapes, textures, and strengths. Three to five cheeses are usually enough, but more can be included for a larger cheese board. Include at least one soft cheese, such as brie or goat cheese, which can be served as is. For hard cheeses, such as cheddar or parmesan, consider cutting them into slices or cubes to make it easier for guests to serve themselves. Also, consider including one crumbly cheese, such as blue cheese.
Not everyone enjoys strong-smelling cheeses, so ensure you include one or two mild or buttery options. If you are unsure about which cheeses to select, consider visiting a specialty cheese shop or a store with a good cheese counter. A cheesemonger can provide advice on which cheeses are in season and offer samples to help you choose cheeses that align with your taste preferences.
In addition to cheese, consider including charcuterie, such as cured meats like prosciutto, salami, or pancetta. Include crackers or bread, such as a baguette, and consider providing a variety of crackers, such as buttery, thin and mild, or seedy and grainy. Fill in any gaps on the board with fruits, such as grapes, apples, pears, or dried fruit, and nuts. Finally, add condiments like honey, mustard, jams, or preserves to complete your cheese board.
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Preparing your cheeses: Take the cheeses out of the fridge 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving
When preparing your cheeses, it is recommended to take them out of the fridge 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving. This allows the cheeses to reach room temperature, enhancing their flavours and aromatics. During this time, you can keep the cheeses wrapped in their original packaging or cover them with beeswax or plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out.
While the cheeses are resting, you can gather and prepare the rest of your ingredients. This includes selecting your charcuterie, such as cured meats like prosciutto, salami, or pancetta, and any condiments or accompaniments you wish to include. Condiments such as honey, mustards, jams, chutneys, and preserves can add a lot of flavour to your cheese board. Fresh or dried fruits, such as grapes, apples, pears, or plums, can also provide a nice contrast in taste and add colour to your board.
If you want to include crackers, consider offering a variety, such as buttery, thin and mild, or seedy and grainy crackers. You can also provide a fresh baguette or other good-quality bread. Nuts are another popular addition to a cheese board, and they can be served in a small bowl or ramekin. Olives are also a great option, and they can be served in a bowl or piled onto the board.
When choosing your cheeses, consider selecting an odd number of cheeses, such as three or five, to create a visually appealing board. Aim for a variety of textures, including soft cheeses like brie, hard cheeses like cheddar or Parmesan, and crumbly cheeses like blue cheese. You can also offer a range of strengths, from mild to strong, to accommodate different taste preferences. If you're unsure about which cheeses to choose, you can ask for recommendations and taste samples at a specialty cheese shop or a store with a good cheese counter.
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Selecting accompaniments: Include charcuterie, crackers, bread, fruits, nuts, condiments, and garnishes
When it comes to selecting accompaniments for your cheese board, there are several options to choose from, including charcuterie, crackers, bread, fruits, nuts, condiments, and garnishes. Here are some detailed tips and suggestions for each category:
Charcuterie:
Meats are a great addition to a cheese board and can include cured meats such as prosciutto, salami, soppressata, pancetta, or deli meats. When purchasing deli meats, ask for a specific number of slices rather than ordering by weight to ensure you get enough. Keep in mind that you don't want the meat to compete with the cheese, so choose just a couple of varieties.
Crackers and Bread:
Offer a variety of crackers to your guests, such as buttery crackers, thin and mild crackers, and seedy, grainy crackers. You can also serve bread, especially a crusty baguette, on the side. If you decide to serve bread, slice it ahead of time and serve it alongside the crackers.
Fruits:
Both fresh and dried fruits can be included on a cheese board. Apples, pears, grapes, and cranberry sauce are popular choices. To prevent apple and pear slices from browning, drizzle them with lemon juice. You can also include darker fruits like plums or cherries to add colour to your board.
Nuts:
Nuts are a must-have on a cheese board. Walnuts, pistachios, candied nuts, and any other nuts of your choice can be offered. Consider using a ramekin to serve the nuts, as this helps to contain them neatly on the board.
Condiments:
Condiments add a fun element to your cheese board and allow you to get creative. Honey, fancy mustards, jams, preserves, chutneys, and quince paste are all excellent options. You can also include sauces, garlic-infused olive oil, or pepper jelly to elevate your cheese board. Don't forget to use those small gift jars of jams and mustards that tend to accumulate!
Garnishes:
Garnishes are not essential, but they can certainly enhance the appearance of your cheese board. Fresh herbs like rosemary, sage, dill, or arugula add colour, texture, and aroma. If you want to get creative, try making \"meat roses\" or using small bowls to elevate certain items like jams, mustards, or olives.
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Arranging your board: Create an anchor in the centre and fill in the gaps with the remaining items
When arranging your cheese board, it's a good idea to create an anchor in the centre and work outwards, filling in gaps with the remaining items. This will help you build a visually appealing board with a balanced distribution of elements. Here's a step-by-step guide to creating a stunning cheese board:
Choose Your Board:
Select a large, flat board as your base. You can use a plain cutting board, a serving platter, or even a few dinner plates. Don't worry about getting something fancy; a simple board will do the trick.
The Centrepiece:
Place your centrepiece item in the middle of the board. This could be a bowl of hummus, a small dish of honey, a jar of fancy mustard, or any other condiment or spread that you'd like to feature. You can also elevate this central item on a small piece of wood or an upside-down bowl to give it some height and make it a true focal point.
The Four Corners:
Visualise four quadrants or corners radiating from your centrepiece. Assign each corner a different type of cheese. For example, you could have brie in one corner, aged cheddar in the second, a bowl of feta in the third, and a soft cheese like goat cheese or blue cheese in the last. If you have more than four cheeses, you can place them in the gaps between the corners or create additional "corners" by dividing your board into more sections.
Fill in the Gaps:
Now, it's time to fill in the spaces between your centrepiece and the cheeses. Add meats, such as prosciutto, salami, or pancetta, in thin slices. Include some bowls of olives, cornichons, or other briny elements. Pile on some nuts, dried fruit, or fresh fruit like grapes, apple slices, or berries for a pop of colour and a refreshing bite between cheeses.
Final Touches:
Take a step back and assess your board. Are there any gaps left? You can fill these with fresh herbs like rosemary or arugula, adding a fragrant and colourful touch. You might also add some crackers or bread, but consider keeping these separate to avoid them taking over the board and absorbing the aromas of the cheese.
Remember, there's no right or wrong way to build a cheese board, so feel free to get creative and use your favourite ingredients!
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Serving your board: Use
When serving a cheese board, it is important to consider the order in which the cheeses should be tasted. It is recommended to start with mild cheeses and progress to stronger, more pungent varieties. This allows the palate to adjust and appreciate the unique flavours of each cheese. Another approach is to arrange the cheeses from softest to hardest textures, creating a diverse tasting experience.
To enhance the flavour journey, pair the cheeses with complementary accompaniments. These can include fresh or dried fruits, nuts, honey, jams, or chutneys. For example, a mild Brie pairs well with sweet accompaniments like honey or fruit, while a sharp Cheddar can be complemented by the crunch of nuts or the tang of chutney. These additions not only provide contrast and texture but also help to cleanse the palate between tastings.
The arrangement of the cheeses on the board is also key. Place the cheeses with ample space between them, allowing your guests to easily identify and access each variety. It is recommended to provide separate knives for each cheese to prevent flavour transfer. Additionally, labelling the cheeses can add a informative touch, especially when serving a diverse range of cheeses.
When plating the cheeses, consider the visual appeal of the board. Varying the heights of the cheeses and accompaniments creates a dynamic display. You can use small bowls or piles of nuts, crackers, or fruits to elevate certain items, adding depth and interest to the board. Fresh herbs or edible flowers can also be used to garnish and add a pop of colour.
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Frequently asked questions
A good rule of thumb is to have one standard-size wedge/circle/log (4-6 ounces each) of cheese per three people served. Three cheeses are usually enough, and five is a big cheese board.
It's good to have a mix of textures and strengths. Get at least one soft cheese (like brie or goat cheese), one hard cheese (like Parmesan or cheddar), and one crumbly cheese (like blue cheese). Not everyone loves stinky cheese, so make sure one or two options are mild or buttery.
You can add charcuterie (cured meats like prosciutto, salami, or pancetta), crackers or bread, dried or fresh fruit (like grapes, apples, or pears), nuts, and spreads or condiments (like honey, mustard, jam, or chutney). You can also add something green like arugula or fresh herbs like rosemary or sage to fill in gaps and add colour.
Take the cheese out of the fridge at least 30 minutes to one hour before serving and let it come to room temperature. This enhances the flavour and aromatics. You can either unwrap and cut the cheeses straight away, or leave them wrapped and cut them later. If you want to pre-cut the cheese, it's best to use cheese knives to cut thin slices.
