Bushra Griffith
A cheese board is a perfect appetizer for any occasion. It is beautiful to look at, delicious to eat, and fun to put together. The best cheese boards have something for everyone. Here is a simple guide on how to build the best cheese board. First, plan on a few ounces of cheese per person. It is recommended to have between three to six different types of cheese, depending on the size of the crowd. Next, decide on the board. Cheese boards are typically assembled on a slate or wooden tray, which may be square, rectangular, or round. Then, take the cheese out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature for 30 minutes to one hour. After that, it's time to assemble the cheese board. Start by placing the cheese on the board, then fill in the blank spaces with bowls of accompaniments such as olives, honey, or jam, sliced fruit, crackers, and nuts. Finally, finish it off with some garnishes such as edible flowers, fresh herbs, or additional fruits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cheeses | 3-6 different types of cheese |
| Types of cheese | Firm, soft, semi-soft, aged, blue, hard, etc. |
| Cheese presentation | Sliced, wedged, whole |
| Cheese amount | A few ounces of cheese per person |
| Accompaniments | Crackers, cured meats, fruits, nuts, olives, honey, jam, pickled items, bread, etc. |
| Board type | Slate, wooden, plastic, or a large dinner plate |
| Garnishes | Edible flowers, fresh herbs |
| Arrangement | Place items in bowls, spread out cheese, fill blank spaces |
| Temperature | Bring cheese to room temperature before serving |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing your cheeses
Choosing the right cheese is an important part of building a cheese board. While there is no right or wrong way to build a cheese board, you can invest in one or two quality cheeses, and use pre-sliced cheeses as fillers. It is recommended to include at least four different types of cheese from different categories: firm, soft, and semi-soft. For example, you could include two firm cheeses, such as Parmigiano-Reggiano and aged Cheddar, balanced with a mild French brie (soft) and slices of Swiss (semi-soft). You can also add other favourites, such as Greek feta with a sprinkle of crushed pepper flakes. When selecting your cheeses, consider different shapes: squares, rounds, triangles, and slices.
If you are serving a large party, five to six cheeses should be plenty, but three kinds of cheese are sufficient for a cheese board for two. If you are worried about having too much cheese, cut all your cheeses in half and put out one half at a time. You can always take the rest out later if needed. If you are worried about not having enough cheese, cut hard cheeses into extra-small pieces, spread each cheese out over a few different spots on the cheese board, and add extra fruit, nuts, and crackers.
For the best flavour, let the cheese warm to room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving. Slice your cheese in various ways to maximise texture. Use a fork to create large chunks of blue cheese and Parmesan. Slice semi-hard cheese, like cheddar, and fan them across a section of the board. Cut wedges of brie into slices and soft round cheeses into wedges (it is fine to leave portions of cheese whole).
If you are unsure about which cheeses to select, it is recommended to head to a store with a good cheese counter or your local specialty cheese shop. A cheesemonger can help you pick good cheeses for your cheese board. Ask about what is in season and trust their advice. Ask for tastes—a good cheesemonger will want you to taste the cheese to ensure it aligns with your preferences.
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Selecting meats and accompaniments
When selecting meats and accompaniments for a cheese board, it's important to consider variety, seasonality, and personal preference. Here are some tips to help you choose the best options:
Meats
Cured meats, such as salami, pepperoni, prosciutto, and chicken kiev bites, are popular choices for a cheese board. If you want to be more adventurous, try making salami flowers using a champagne glass. For a vegan option, substitute vegan meats.
Accompaniments
When it comes to accompaniments, think of items that will complement the cheeses and meats and add different textures and flavours. Here are some ideas:
- Crackers: Offer a variety of crackers in different shapes, sizes, and textures. Include options like round crackers, cracker sticks, pita chips, crostini, and crackers with nuts, seeds, or whole grains.
- Bread: Provide a separate space for bread or crostini to accommodate guests who may not eat crackers.
- Nuts: Pecans, walnuts, almonds, pistachios, and toasted nuts add crunch and flavour to the board.
- Fruits: Include fresh or dried fruits like grapes, berries, apples, or pears to add sweetness and colour.
- Olives: Olives are a welcome addition to any cheese board. Offer a small bowl for pits if serving pitted olives.
- Condiments: Jams, honey, mustards, and tapenade can enhance the flavour of the cheeses and meats.
- Pickles: Pickled peppers, pepperoncini, and other pickled items can add a sour and savoury element.
- Garnishes: Use edible flowers, fresh herbs, or additional fruits to give a seasonal touch to your board.
Remember, there is no right or wrong way to build a cheese board, so feel free to get creative and include your favourite items.
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Preparing your board
Firstly, select a board. Cheese boards are typically assembled on a slate or wooden tray, which can be square, rectangular, or round. You can use a plastic cutting board or a large dinner plate if that's what you have available.
Next, decide on the cheeses. It is recommended to have at least four different types of cheese from various categories, such as firm, soft, and semi-soft. Include some of your favorites, and consider different shapes like squares, rounds, triangles, and slices to add visual interest. If you're serving a large group, aim for five to six types of cheese. Remember to take the cheese out of the fridge 30 minutes to one hour beforehand to let it come to room temperature, as this improves its flavor and texture.
Now, it's time to arrange the cheese on the board. You can start by placing the cheese directly on the board, or you can put them in small bowls or saucers to save space and prevent messiness. Cut the cheese into various shapes to maximize texture: use a fork to create large chunks of crumbly cheeses like blue cheese and Parmesan; slice semi-hard cheeses like cheddar; cut soft cheeses like brie into wedges; and leave some portions of cheese whole.
Finally, fill in the gaps on your board with accompaniments. Add color with sliced fruit, and place crackers and nuts in clusters. Offer a variety of savory and sweet ingredients, such as honey, jam, olives, and pickled items. You can also include bowls of tapenade, small spoons or serving utensils, and cheese knives for your guests' convenience.
Remember, there is no right or wrong way to build a cheese board, so feel free to get creative and make it your own!
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Adding garnishes
Firstly, consider adding some edible flowers or fresh herbs. These can add a pop of colour and a delicate, seasonal flavour to your cheese board. You could also add some additional fruits to fill up large blank spaces and give your board a vibrant, fresh look. Think about what fruits are in season and try to include a variety of colours and textures, such as sliced apples, berries, or stone fruits like peaches and plums.
If you're creating a festive holiday board, try adding some cranberry sauce and fresh rosemary sprigs. You could also include some toasted nuts such as pecans, walnuts, almonds, or pistachios. For a real show-stopper, make some sweet and spicy roasted party nuts!
Finally, don't forget to include some crackers or crostini. Offer a variety of shapes and textures, such as round crackers, long cracker sticks, pita chips, or gluten-free options. If you're serving crackers, consider placing them in small bowls or on a separate part of the board to keep them from getting stale or soggy.
Remember, there is no right or wrong way to build a cheese board, so get creative and have fun with it!
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Serving your cheese board
It is a good idea to plan on a few ounces of cheese per person. If you are serving a large party, five to six cheeses should be plenty, but you can get away with three to five varieties for smaller groups. You can always cut your hard cheeses into extra-small pieces to make them go further, and fill up the board with extra fruit, nuts, and crackers. If you are worried about having too much cheese, you can always cut all your cheeses in half and put out one half at a time, replenishing later if needed.
To get the best flavour from your cheese, take it out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour before serving. You can then slice your cheese in various ways to maximise texture. Use a fork to create large chunks of blue cheese and Parmesan. Slice semi-hard cheese, like cheddar, and fan them out across the board. Cut wedges of brie into slices and soft round cheeses into wedges—it is fine to leave portions of cheese whole.
Now you can add your accompaniments. Place small bowls of tapenade, olives, honey, or jam on the board. Add colour by filling large blank areas with sliced fruit, then place your crackers and nuts across the board in clusters. You can also add meats, such as salami flowers, or chicken kiev bites. If you are serving olives with pits, place a small bowl nearby for the stones.
Finally, add your garnishes. Use edible flowers, fresh herbs, or additional fruits to give your board a seasonal touch. Offer a variety of textures and flavours, such as sweet and spicy roasted nuts, and consider providing a few different types of crackers or crostini.
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Frequently asked questions
A few ounces of cheese per person should be sufficient. If you're making a cheese board for two, buy three kinds of cheese and reserve the extra for future cheese boards. For a large party, five to six cheeses should be plenty.
Include at least four different cheeses from different categories: firm, soft, and semi-soft. You can also categorise cheeses by their family: aged, soft, hard, and blue. For example, a cheese board could include aged cheddar, brie, manchego, and gorgonzola.
Meats, crackers, nuts, fruits, olives, honey, jam, and edible flowers are all great additions to a cheese board.
Start with the items that take up the most room on the cheese board. A lot of people like to start with the cheese, but you can also begin by placing small bowls around the board. Cut the cheese into various shapes to maximise texture.
