Frederic Melton
A good cheese plate is an easy, delicious appetizer for any get-together. There's no right or wrong way to build one, but there are some tips and tricks to elevate your cheese plate. First, select your cheeses. Choose a variety of flavours and textures, and consider the different types of milk used—cow, goat, or sheep. Aim for around three to five types of cheese, and don't be afraid to ask your local cheesemonger for advice. Next, add some extras to your plate. Crackers, bread, nuts, dried or fresh fruit, meats, and spreads like jam or honey all pair well with cheese. Finally, style your cheese plate. Use different shapes and colours to make it interesting, and don't be afraid to get creative!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cheese types | 3-5 types |
| Cheese textures | Soft, semi-soft, semi-hard, hard, aged |
| Cheese flavours | Funky, salty, sweet |
| Cheese shapes | Square, rounds, triangles, sliced |
| Cheese milk types | Cow, goat, sheep |
| Cheese accompaniments | Crackers, bread, nuts, meat, olives, dried/fresh fruit, spreads, dips, veggies |
| Cheese board | Cutting board, cheese platter, plates |
| Cheese knives | Special cheese knives, butter knife, paring knife, cheese plane |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cheeses
When selecting cheeses for your cheese plate, it's a good idea to keep in mind the different textures and shapes of cheese. You can categorise cheeses into two groups: hard (cheeses that require a sharp knife to cut) and soft (cheeses that are spreadable and easy to cut with a butter knife).
A good rule of thumb is to select three to five different cheeses, with 1 ounce of each cheese per guest. You can also add more variety by choosing different types of milk, such as goat or sheep's milk, which tend to have tangier and tarter flavours than cow's milk.
If you're feeling adventurous, you could try a geographic theme for your cheese plate. For example, a French night could include Brie, Roquefort, and Emmental with a baguette, or an Italian night could feature Fontina, Burrata, and Gorgonzola served with crostini.
When in doubt, ask for help! A cheesemonger can guide you in selecting seasonal cheeses and offer tastes to ensure you're picking cheeses that align with your preferences.
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Selecting complementary foods
When selecting complementary foods for a cheese plate, it's important to consider variety, balance, and seasonality. Here are some tips to help you choose the best accompaniments for your cheeses:
Variety in Flavours and Textures
Offer a range of flavours and textures to make your cheese plate interesting and appealing. Include a mix of soft, semi-hard, and hard cheeses with different flavour profiles. For example, you could have a soft goat cheese, a semi-hard cheddar, and an aged Parmesan. Don't be afraid to include a "funky" or strong blue cheese like Gorgonzola or Stilton, but consider your audience's preferences.
Crunchy and Crispy Textures
Add something crunchy or crispy to contrast with the creaminess of the cheese. Nuts are a classic choice, but you could also try crispy chickpeas, crackers, or pretzels.
Sweet and Salty Elements
Balance out the salty and funky cheeses with something sweet. Honey, jam, or dried and fresh fruits can add a touch of sweetness to your plate. For a savoury, salty element, consider briny olives, cornichons, or cocktail onions.
Bread and Meat
Bread is a great addition to any cheese plate. A French baguette, breadsticks, or crostini can provide a neutral base for stronger cheeses. If you want to include meat, cured Italian meats like prosciutto and salami are a good choice.
Seasonality and Availability
Consider what's in season and easily available when selecting your complementary foods. Fresh, seasonal fruits like apples, pears, or grapes can add a pop of colour. In the fall and winter, you might add herbs like rosemary or thyme for a festive touch.
Spreads and Condiments
Include spreads and condiments like fancy mustard, chutney, or infused olive oil to enhance the flavours of your cheeses. Honeycomb, in particular, pairs well with cheeses and can add a touch of elegance to your plate.
Remember, there is no right or wrong way to build a cheese plate, so have fun and get creative!
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Presentation and styling
When it comes to presenting and styling your cheese plate, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, choose a board that suits the size of your spread. You could use a cutting board (avoid plastic), a cheese platter, or even a few plates placed together on a table. If you're serving a pungent, strong-smelling cheese, it's best to place it on a separate plate so as not to overpower the other cheeses.
Next, consider the placement of your cheeses. It's a good idea to have a mix of textures and shapes—firm, semi-firm, soft, and spreadable—and vary the shapes, with triangles, squares, and rounds. You could also add layers to your cheese plate by drizzling honey over a wedge of brie, for example. If you're feeling creative, you can add little flags to indicate the country of origin of each cheese, with the name written on the back.
You can also style your cheese plate with the addition of other foods. Include something sweet like honey or jam to balance out the salty, funky cheeses. Add something crunchy like nuts, crispy chickpeas, or crackers, and something salty like olives or cornichons. Seasonal fruits like apples, pears, or grapes will add a pop of colour, and in the fall and winter, you might add sprigs of fresh rosemary or thyme.
Finally, don't forget the utensils. Provide small spoons or serving utensils, and cheese knives for the relevant cheeses. If you don't have special cheese knives, you can cut the cheese into thin slices ahead of time, and provide a butter knife for the soft cheeses.
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Preparing the cheese
When preparing the cheese for your cheese plate, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, variety is key. Aim for a mix of soft and hard cheeses with different flavours and textures. Choose from a range of milk types, such as cow, goat, or sheep's milk cheese. For example, soft cheeses like goat cheese, Brie, or Camembert, semi-hard cheeses like cheddar, and aged cheeses like Parmesan or Pecorino. You could also include a strong blue cheese like Gorgonzola or Stilton for something a little different.
Next, consider the amount of cheese you will need. A good rule of thumb is to provide roughly 1-3 ounces of cheese per person, depending on whether the cheese plate is an appetizer or the main event. For a small gathering, three types of cheese are usually enough, but for a larger party, you may want to offer five or more varieties. If you're serving a pungent, strong-smelling cheese, it's a good idea to present it on a separate plate so as not to overpower the other cheeses.
When it comes to cutting and serving the cheese, it's best to cut hard cheeses ahead of time and provide a sharp knife for your guests to help themselves. Soft cheeses can be easily spread with a butter knife. If you want to get creative, you can cut the cheese into different shapes like squares, rounds, or triangles to make your cheese plate more visually interesting.
Finally, let the cheese come to room temperature before serving. This will enhance the flavour and ensure your guests get the full taste experience.
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Amounts and portions
When creating a cheese plate, it's important to consider the amount and variety of cheese, as well as any accompaniments. A good rule of thumb is to provide 1 ounce of each cheese variety for each guest. If served as an appetizer, 1 ounce per person is sufficient, while for a main course, you can increase the portion to 2 ounces or more per person. It is always a good idea to have extra cheese on hand to replenish the board.
For a small gathering, three types of cheese are usually enough, and you can increase the variety to five or six cheeses for a larger party. It is recommended to have a mix of soft and hard cheeses, different milk types (cow, goat, or sheep), and a variety of flavours and textures. If you're feeling adventurous, you can try a themed cheese board, such as featuring cheeses from a specific region or country.
In addition to the cheese, you can include accompaniments such as crackers, bread, nuts, dried or fresh fruit, olives, and spreads like jam, honey, or mustard. These additions provide texture, flavour, and a pop of colour to your cheese plate. If you're serving meat, cured Italian meats like prosciutto and salami are popular choices.
When styling your cheese plate, you can use a single board or several plates placed together. Consider the shapes and arrangement of the cheeses, and don't be afraid to get creative with layers and garnishes. You can also provide different knives or utensils for each cheese to enhance the tasting experience and prevent flavour mixing.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to have 3 to 5 different types of cheese, depending on the size of your party.
It is important to have a variety of flavours and textures on your cheese plate. You can include soft cheeses like goat cheese, semi-hard cheeses like cheddar, and aged cheeses like Parmesan. You can also add funky cheeses like blue cheese or something stronger like Gorgonzola.
You can include dried fruits and nuts, a fancy jam, honey, or briny olives. You can also add crackers or good bread like a baguette. If you want to include meat, Italian cured meats like prosciutto and salami are a good option.
You can arrange the items on your cheese plate by category, creating sections for something sweet, something crunchy, something salty, and a pop of colour. You can also vary the shapes of your cheeses to make your plate more interesting.
It is recommended to let the cheese warm to room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving to enhance the flavour. You can also add labels to each cheese with creative descriptions of their flavours.
