Walking To Delicious Cheese Boards: How Long Does It Take?

A cheese board is a great snack to have when camping, road-tripping, picnicking, or spending time at the beach. It is a fun activity that can be done by anyone, anywhere, and is a great way to bring people together. Whether you are hosting a dinner party, a happy hour, or a holiday get-together, a cheese board is always a good option. It is easy to put together and requires no cooking. It is also a great way to experiment with different combinations of flavours and textures.

How to transport a cheese board

A cheese board is a great centrepiece for any gathering, but it can be tricky to transport. Here are some tips to help you get your cheese board from A to B safely and securely:

Pick a Secure Base

Forget about fancy platters or boards when you're on the move. Opt for a wide, reusable container or a to-go box. You can even find boxes designed specifically for transporting cheese boards. This way, everything is packed neatly and securely, and you can simply unpack and serve when you arrive at your destination.

Plan and Prepare Your Ingredients

Some cheeses are easier to transport than others. Semi-hard cheeses like Havarti, aged cheddar, and Gouda can be cut into triangles or cubes, making them ready to eat as soon as you arrive. Soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert can be messier to transport and are best served at room temperature, so consider leaving them whole and allowing time for them to warm up before serving.

For cured meats, pre-folding slices can make them easier to access and eat. Sweet soppressata, dried capicola, and prosciutto are great salty-savory complements to cheese.

When it comes to produce, choose fruits and vegetables that are refreshing but not overly juicy or delicate. Cucumbers, dried apricots, and cherries are good options. Avoid items packed in brine, like olives or cornichons, unless they're packed separately, as they can get messy. Also, stay away from tender fruits like berries and peaches, which may bruise during transit.

Keep Crunchy Things Separate

If you're using only one container, always place crunchy items like nuts, crackers, bread, or pretzels on one side or around the outer perimeter of the container. This will help keep them from getting soggy. If you want to ensure they stay crisp, pack them in a separate container.

Use Small Jars or Containers for Dips and Spreads

If you're including dips, spreads, or soft cheeses, use small jars or containers with lids to secure them tightly and avoid spills.

Keep it Cool

If you're taking your cheese board on a long journey or it won't be eaten for a few hours, pack it in a cooler bag with an ice pack to maintain freshness. For shorter walks, this may not be necessary, but keeping the cheese and meat cold will help extend their shelf life.

Transporting the Cheese Board

When carrying your cheese board, consider using parchment paper, plastic wrap, or foil to line the board and prevent food from sliding off. If your board is too large or unwieldy, you can separate it into two smaller trays or boards and reassemble them at your destination.

Plan Ahead for Easy Assembly

If you're assembling the cheese board at your destination, consider using placeholder items like empty small bowls or glasses to mark where each item will go. This will make it quicker and easier to set up when you arrive.

Portion and Position

Remember to portion and position the items on your cheese board so that your guests can easily reach in and enjoy. Leave some space between different ingredients to make it easier for guests to access without disturbing other parts of the board.

Don't Overcrowd the Board

While you want your cheese board to look abundant, avoid overcrowding it. Leave some space between items, and consider using multiple boards if you have a large variety of cheeses and accompaniments.

Think about Serving Utensils

Depending on the cheeses and other items on your board, provide appropriate serving utensils. Small spoons or knives can be helpful for soft cheeses, while toothpicks or cocktail forks can be useful for picking up small items.

By following these tips, you'll be able to transport your cheese board safely and securely, ensuring it arrives looking and tasting its best.

What cheeses to include

When creating a cheese board, it's a good idea to include a variety of flavours and textures. Selecting three to five different types of cheese is usually enough for a large cheese board. Here are some options for what cheeses to include:

Hard Cheeses

Hard cheeses include Cheddar, Gruyère, and Comté. Cheddar is the traditional route, but Gruyère and Comté are also good options. Young cheddars are typically mild and creamy, while aged cheddars develop a more complex flavour profile and become crumbly.

Soft Cheeses

Soft cheeses include Brie, Camembert, and soft goat cheese. Brie is a soft farmhouse cheese that originated in Seine-et-Marne, France. It has a rich, buttery, and fruity flavour that becomes increasingly earthy with age. Goat cheese is tangy and pungent, and it often comes in a white log or roll.

Blue Cheeses

Blue cheese is a strong, pungent option that adds a funky element to your cheese board. Examples include Gorgonzola, Stilton, and Roquefort.

Semi-Hard Cheeses

Semi-hard cheeses include Gouda, Edam, and Manchego. Gouda is a semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk, with a rich, caramelised flavour and a springy texture. Younger goudas are mild and creamy, while aged goudas are deep, nutty, and buttery.

When selecting cheeses for your board, you can either choose a theme, such as "goat's milk" or "Alpine-style", or go for high contrast by choosing several different types of cheese. Consider your audience—if you're serving adventurous eaters, go for pungent, washed-rind cheeses or stinky blues. If you're serving a crowd with more mild tastes, opt for crowd-pleasers like good-quality goat cheese, Gruyère, and mild, milky Brie.

How much cheese to include

When preparing a cheese board, the amount of cheese you should include depends on the type of meal you are serving, the time of day, and the number of people you are serving.

If you are serving a cheese board as a main course, it is recommended to provide 4 to 8 ounces of cheese per person. This allows your guests to sample a variety of cheeses without feeling too full. A good rule of thumb is to select 3 to 6 different types of cheese, including a mix of soft, semi-hard, and hard cheeses. For example, you could offer aged white cheddar, gouda, and parmesan. If you are serving a large group, you may want to provide 5 to 6 different cheeses and use multiple boards.

If you are serving cheese as a starter or an appetizer, you can reduce the amount to 1 to 3 ounces per person. Choose 2 to 3 types of cheese and consider including some more adventurous options, such as a strong blue cheese.

For a lunch, 2.5 to 4.5 ounces per person is a good amount, while for a snack or cocktail hour, 2 to 3 ounces will suffice.

When selecting cheese for your board, it is important to consider the textures and flavours that will complement each other. Include a variety of milk types such as cow, goat, or sheep's milk cheese. You can also add some garnishes and condiments, such as honey, jam, or nuts, to enhance the flavours of the cheese.

Remember, these are just guidelines, and you can always adjust the amounts depending on your guests' preferences and how much cheese you want leftover!

What to pair with cheese

So, you want to create the perfect cheese board? Well, you've come to the right place. Here are some tips and tricks to help you pair your cheeses with the perfect accompaniments.

Firstly, let's talk about the types of cheese you might include. A good cheese board will have a variety of flavours and textures. You could opt for firm or semi-firm cheeses, like aged white cheddar, gouda, edam, gruyère, dubliner, or manchego. Or, go for something spreadable and soft, like brie, camembert, or goat cheese. If you're feeling adventurous, add something funky like a strong blue cheese—gorgonzola, stilton, or roquefort are all excellent choices.

Now, let's discuss what to pair with your cheeses. The key concept here is "contrast". Think about pairing soft cheeses with crunchy crackers, chips, nuts, and cornichons, or hard cheeses with spreadable jams and quince. You can also try pairing items that share the same geographic region, as they are likely to have similar flavours that will complement each other. For example, aged manchego pairs well with jamón serrano from Spain, while parmigiano reggiano goes great with prosciutto di Parma from Italy.

If you're looking for some more specific ideas, here are some classic combinations:

• Sliced apples and sharp cheddar
• Prosciutto and parmesan
• Dried dates and blue cheese
• Sliced peaches and gruyère
• Pepperoni and fontina
• Chicken breast and smoked gouda
• Kalamata olives and cubed feta
• Black olives and pepper jack
• Green olives and provolone

Don't be afraid to experiment and create your own unique pairings. After all, as head cheesemonger Greselda Powell says, "all cheese-pairing is subjective". So, get creative and enjoy your culinary adventure!

How to assemble a cheese board

Step 1: Choosing your cheese

A classic cheese board will have a variety of cheeses, usually between 3-6 types, with different textures and flavours. Some mild, some strong, some hard, some soft. It is recommended to have one cheese per guest, with a total weight of 4-5 oz of cheese per person.

When choosing your cheeses, consider the following:

• Milk type: cow, sheep and goat cheeses each have their own distinct flavour.
• Cheese styles: fresh and young, bloomy rinded, washed rind, semi-firm, firm and aged, and blue.
• Familiar and exciting flavours: a mix of well-known and more unusual cheeses will keep things interesting.
• Milk varieties: a mix of cow's and goat's milk cheeses, for example, adds interest.
• Age: an aged cheese will bring depth to your board.

Step 2: Selecting accompaniments

The fun part about a cheese board is all the extras you can add to complement the cheese. Here are some ideas:

• Meats: cured meats such as prosciutto, salami, ham, turkey, or chicken.
• Crackers: a variety of plain and flavoured crackers will give your guests options.
• Bread: a crusty baguette or olive bread is ideal, but any bread will work.
• Fruit: fresh or dried fruit adds a burst of colour and flavour. Go for what's in season, or try grapes, apples, pears, or stone fruits.
• Nuts: Marcona almonds or other nuts provide a crunchy contrast to the cheese.
• Pickles: olives, cornichons, or pickled vegetables add a tangy element.
• Sweet element: honey, jam, or a wedge of honeycomb complements the salty cheeses.
• Dips: houmous, taramasalata, or tzatziki are all good options.

Step 3: Assembling the board

Now it's time to put everything together. Here are some tips:

• Use a large board: a wooden, marble, or slate board works well.
• Give the cheeses room: don't overcrowd the board; you want to give each cheese breathing room.
• Provide knives: set out one knife per cheese to avoid mixing flavours.
• Add bowls: use small bowls for dips, pickles, and other loose items.
• Fill the gaps: use the crackers, fruit, nuts, and other small items to fill any spaces on the board.
• Label the cheeses: your guests will want to know what they're eating!
• Enjoy: don't forget to relax and savour your delicious creation!

Frequently asked questions