Frederic Melton
Meat and cheese trays are a great appetizer for parties, BBQs, or family gatherings. They are elegant, delicious, and simple to assemble. The best meat and cheese trays have a variety of textures and flavors, and can be customized with different types of meat, cheese, crackers, dips, fruits, and nuts. This paragraph will discuss the steps to build an excellent meat and cheese tray, including planning, food preparation, and presentation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cheese types | 3 or more |
| Cheese texture | Firm, semi-firm, soft, sliced, spreadable |
| Cheese flavour | Variety |
| Cheese examples | Cheddar, Swiss, Gouda, Pepper Jack, Blue, Feta, Goat, Brie |
| Meat examples | Salami, Prosciutto, Sausage, Turkey, Ham |
| Meat arrangement | Folded, stacked, fanned out |
| Accompaniments | Crackers, bread, dips, fruits, nuts, relishes, mustard |
| Quantity | 12-15 oz of meat and 10 oz of cheese for 6 guests |
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What You'll Learn
Choose three types of cheese
When creating a meat and cheese tray, it is customary to choose three types of cheese for your platter. It is recommended to have a variety of textures and flavours to appeal to different people. Here are some tips to help you choose three complementary cheeses:
Firstly, it is advisable to include at least one familiar cheese on your platter. Popular options include Gouda, Brie, or Cheddar. These cheeses are widely enjoyed and provide a comfortable option for guests who prefer to stick to what they know.
Secondly, consider choosing an aged or hard cheese, as these bring texture and boldness to your platter. Aged cheeses, such as Asiago, Parmesan, and Reggiano, undergo chemical reactions during ageing, resulting in stronger flavours and robust textures. Their distinct flavours can add interest and variety to your tray.
Lastly, select a soft or creamy cheese, which tends to have a milder or tart flavour profile. Some options include goat cheese, Brie, Camembert, or fresh mozzarella. These cheeses often pair well with fruits, nuts, and cured meats. For example, goat cheese goes well with cherries, honey, and nuts, while fresh mozzarella is delicious with salami and Italian cured meats.
When creating your meat and cheese tray, feel free to experiment with different combinations and themes. You can also consider the season when choosing your cheeses. For example, during the summer, you might include Brie with berries and honey, while autumn could feature alpine cheeses with dried figs and nuts.
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Pick sliced, harder cheeses
Harder, sliced cheeses are a great choice for a meat and cheese tray. Cheeses like cheddar, Swiss, provolone, and pepper jack are all good options. These cheeses have a stronger flavour and a firmer texture, which makes them easier to handle and eat. They also tend to be more popular with guests. For example, white cheddar and regular (yellow) cheddar are both popular choices for sandwiches. Swiss cheese is also a crowd-pleaser, with its sweet and mild flavour, and it is often paired with roast beef deli meat.
When selecting harder cheeses, it is best to ask your deli for sliced cheese rather than buying it by weight. Request eight "sandwich"-sized slices per type of cheese. Stack these slices directly on top of each other and then slice them all diagonally. This will create an interesting presentation and make it easier for your guests to serve themselves.
If you want to add some variety to your tray, consider including different types of hard cheese, such as aged cheddar, Gruyère, or Comte. These cheeses have more complex flavours that can complement the other ingredients on your tray. You can also offer a variety of textures by cutting the cheese into cubes or breaking it into smaller pieces.
Remember, when creating a meat and cheese tray, it is customary to choose three types of cheese. However, don't feel limited by rigid cheese platter rules. Feel free to experiment with different combinations of cheeses, meats, crackers, and garnishes to create a unique and delicious spread for your guests.
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Add meat and crackers
When building a meat and cheese tray, it is customary to choose three types of cheeses for your platter. You can use as many different kinds of cheese as you like, but harder sliced cheeses, such as Cheddar or Swiss, work best as they don't stick together and can be easily picked up. Go for a variety of textures and flavours, such as Gouda, Cheddar, and Pepper Jack Cheeses.
For the meats, select Italian varieties such as Peppered Salami, Genoa Salami, and Pepperoni. You can also use sliced sausages, arranging them in a fish scale pattern. If using deli meats, roll each slice up tightly and stack them. For a party with six guests, plan on 12-15 ounces of meats and 10 ounces of cheeses.
When adding crackers, opt for those that don't have a strong flavour of their own, such as Saltines, Stone Wheat Crackers, or water crackers. Use the crackers to fill in any gaps on the tray. You can also serve a dip or spread alongside, such as a strong mustard blend, which pairs well with fatty meats. Red pepper jelly is another option, which guests can top their crackers with, along with a slice of cheese and a small dollop of jelly.
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Garnish with fruit and nuts
When it comes to creating a meat and cheese tray, the options for customisation are endless. Here are some tips to help you garnish your tray with fruits and nuts:
Choose the right fruits
Select fruits that complement the cheeses and meats on your tray. Fresh berries, apples, pears, oranges, grapes, and dried fruits like apricots, cranberries, and figs are excellent choices. If you're feeling adventurous, try adding some dark chocolate to the mix, as it pairs beautifully with both fruits and cheeses.
Select the perfect nuts
Nuts add texture and flavour to your tray. Marcona almonds, pistachios, cashews, and candied pecans are all delightful options. To make your tray even more luxurious, consider including some roasted nuts.
Arrange with style
When arranging your tray, start with the largest items, such as meats, cheeses, and bread. Then, add medium-sized items like small bowls of dips or spreads. Finally, fill in the gaps with fruits and nuts. Separate items by colour and texture to create a visually appealing platter.
Enhance with garnishes
Take your tray to the next level by adding garnishes like rosemary sprigs, mint leaves, or fresh flowers. These additions will not only enhance the flavour but also add a touch of elegance to your creation.
Remember, the key to a successful meat and cheese tray is variety, so feel free to experiment with different combinations of fruits, nuts, and other ingredients to create a unique and delightful experience for your guests.
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Serve chilled
Serving your meat and cheese tray chilled is a great way to keep your food fresh and safe to eat. It is best to keep your tray in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve it. If you are serving your tray outside, or in a warm environment, consider using a deep-walled serving tray and filling it with ice. Place the meats and cheeses on a layer of parchment paper over the ice.
If you have cooked a large joint of meat, you can chill this before serving. Rub a large piece of meat with a generous handful of coarse salt. Roast it until browned and crusted but still slightly pink in the middle. Leave to rest and cool to room temperature, then chill it in the refrigerator.
Meats that are typically served chilled include cold roast beef, cold lamb, and ham. If you are serving sliced meats, such as salami, pepperoni, or summer sausage, these can be served straight from the refrigerator.
Cheeses that are best served chilled include harder cheeses, such as Cheddar, Swiss, or Gouda. These cheeses are less likely to stick together and are easier to pick up with tongs.
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Frequently asked questions
For a party with six guests, plan on 12-15 ounces of meats and 10 ounces of cheeses. If you are serving larger pieces of cheese, provide a different knife for each kind of cheese.
It is customary to choose three types of cheese for your platter. Cheeses with different textures and flavours are ideal. Harder sliced cheeses, like cheddar or Swiss, work best for meat and cheese trays because they don't stick together and can be picked up easily.
Start with the bulkiest items first, such as bowls of pickles or olives. Then add the cheese, followed by the meats. You can fold and stack the meats to save space. Finally, fill in the gaps with smaller items like crackers, dried fruit and nuts.
