Randy Chandler
A cheese board is a fun, versatile, and delicious appetizer for any gathering. It is a great way to offer your guests a variety of flavors and textures, and it can be as simple or as fancy as you like. Cheese boards typically include 2-3 types of meat, 2-3 varieties of cheese, crackers, and some snacks like nuts, fruits, and vegetables. You can also add dips, honey, jams, and chutneys to your cheese board. The best part about making a cheese board is that there is no right or wrong way to do it, so get creative and enjoy the process!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cheeses | 2-3 |
| Number of meats | 2-3 |
| Crackers | Pile of crackers |
| Snack foods | Nuts, fruits, dips, veggies, olives, jams, mustard, chutney, pickles, etc. |
| Board | Slate or wooden tray (square, rectangular, or round). A plate, platter, cutting board, or baking sheet can also be used. |
| Tools | Small spoons, serving utensils, bowls, cheese knives |
| Garnishes | Edible flowers, fresh herbs, fruits |
| Cheese types | Aged, soft, hard, blue |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing your board
Cheese boards are typically assembled on a slate or wooden tray, which may be square, rectangular, or round. However, any flat surface will work, including a plate, platter, cutting board, or baking sheet. If you're serving a large group, you may want to use a larger board or platter, while a smaller group could be accommodated with a smaller board. You can also consider the shape of your board; a round board, for example, might encourage guests to gather around it.
When choosing a board, think about the number of cheeses and other items you'll be serving. You'll want to ensure that your board is large enough to accommodate all the items without looking overcrowded. If you're serving multiple types of cheese, you may want to choose a board with a built-in divider or use small plates or bowls to separate the different cheeses.
You can also add a decorative touch to your board by choosing one with a unique shape, colour, or design. For example, a board with a carved handle or a live edge can add a rustic charm to your presentation. If you're feeling creative, you could even decorate your board with edible flowers, fresh herbs, or additional fruits to give it a seasonal touch.
Finally, consider the material of your board. Slate and wooden boards are popular choices, but you can also use marble, ceramic, or even a simple paper or cardboard surface. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of durability, maintenance, and price, so choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences.
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Selecting the cheeses
When selecting cheeses for a cheese board, it is recommended to have a variety of flavours and textures. A good rule of thumb is to have at least three different types of cheese: one hard, one soft, and one blue cheese. You can also include something unusual, like a cheese made with goat's or sheep's milk, or a flavoured cheese. If you are serving a large group, you can increase the number of cheeses to four or five, or even six for a large party. This will give your guests plenty of choices and add visual interest to the board.
When choosing specific cheeses, consider your audience. If you are serving a group of adventurous eaters, you can select more pungent or "stinky" blues, or washed-rind cheeses. If you are unsure about your audience's preferences, it is best to go for milder, crowd-pleasing cheeses like goat cheese, Gruyère, or a mild, milky Brie. Other popular options for soft cheeses include Camembert, chèvre, or Boursin. For firm or semi-firm cheeses, aged white Cheddar, Gouda, Edam, Dubliner, and Manchego are good choices. If you want to add something "funky", you can choose a strong blue cheese like Gorgonzola, Stilton, or Roquefort.
It is also important to consider the season when selecting your cheeses. Cheesemongers at specialty cheese shops or cheese counters can be very helpful in guiding you towards cheeses that are in season and suit your taste preferences. They can also provide advice on how much cheese to buy, which is typically recommended as 3 ounces per person. If you are on a budget, you can opt for cheaper options like Aldi or Vermont Creamery, which offers affordable goat cheeses.
Finally, remember to take your cheese out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before serving to allow it to come to room temperature. This will ensure the cheese is easier to cut and spread, providing the optimal tasting experience for your guests.
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Adding meats
When it comes to adding meats to your cheese board, there are a few key options to consider, each with its own unique flavour and texture that will complement the cheeses you have selected. A classic choice is cured meats, such as salami, prosciutto, or sopressata. These meats are dry-cured and full of flavour, with a chewy texture that provides a nice contrast to the creaminess of the cheese. Look for good-quality cured meats from your local deli, where you can often taste before you buy, ensuring you get the right flavour profile to match your cheeses.
Another option is to add some sliced, cooked meats. A honey-glazed ham, for example, pairs beautifully with a sharp cheddar or a creamy Brie. The sweetness of the glaze adds an extra dimension of flavour and the moist, tender ham provides a nice textural contrast. You could also try a herbed roast chicken, especially if you are serving some fresh, soft cheeses like mozzarella or burrata. The juicy, herby chicken will enhance the freshness of these cheeses.
For a heartier option, consider adding some pâté or terrine. These are typically made from ground meats, such as chicken liver or pork, and have a rich, creamy texture that pairs well with stronger, more assertive cheeses. A duck liver pâté, for instance, would be delicious with a pungent blue cheese or a mature, nutty cheddar. When serving pâté, provide a knife so that guests can spread it on crackers or bread.
If you want to include something a little different, try adding some smoked or dried meats. Beef jerky, for example, has a rich, intense flavour and a chewy texture that can stand up to stronger cheeses. Smoked meats, such as smoked salmon or duck breast, also work well on a cheese board. The smoky flavour complements creamy cheeses, and the moist, silky texture of the fish provides an interesting contrast to the other meats and cheeses on offer.
When arranging the meats on your cheese board, consider the visual appeal as well as the flavours. Fold or roll sliced meats, and fan them out to create an attractive display. Use small piles of ground meats, such as pâté, and top with a sprig of herb for colour and freshness. Finally, remember that the meats should complement the cheeses, so choose a variety of flavours and textures to ensure your guests have a well-rounded and delicious experience.
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Filling the gaps
When creating a cheese board, there are a few key components to consider: the cheese, of course, as well as the accompaniments, the presentation, and any additional touches you may want to include. Here are some tips to fill in the gaps and create a well-rounded and delicious cheese board:
Cheese Selection: Aim for a variety of cheeses with different textures, flavours, and milk types. Include a good balance of hard and soft cheeses, as well as some blue cheese if you and your guests enjoy it. Offer a range of mild to strong flavours, such as a sharp Cheddar, a creamy Brie, a pungent blue, and perhaps a goat's or sheep's milk cheese. If you're serving additional foods, plan your cheese selection to complement those flavours as well.
Accompaniments: The right accompaniments will enhance the flavours of the cheese. Fresh and dried fruits, such as grapes, apples, pears, and figs, go well with most cheeses. Consider also providing some chutneys, jams, or honey, which pair especially well with stronger cheeses. Nuts and crackers provide texture and contrast; try offering a variety of crackers, such as water biscuits, oat crackers, and crispbreads, and perhaps some toasted nuts or nut brittle for added crunch.
Presentation: A well-presented cheese board is not only visually appealing but also makes it easy for guests to help themselves. Start by setting out the cheeses, allowing enough space for guests to cut or spread the cheese without crowding other items. Group accompaniments together in small bowls or piles, ensuring there are separate utensils for each item. Provide a separate knife for each cheese to avoid mixing flavours, and consider adding labels so guests know what they're trying.
Additional Touches: Depending on the occasion and your personal style, you may want to add some extra touches to your cheese board. Fresh herbs, such as thyme, rosemary, or chives, can add a pop of colour and flavour. You could also include some charcuterie, such as sliced salami or prosciutto, or offer some pickled items, such as cornichons or pickled onions, for added tang. Don't forget to provide a plate and napkin for each guest, and perhaps a small glass of port or dessert wine to round out the experience.
Timing and Storage: Prepare your cheese board close to serving time to ensure the cheese and accompaniments are fresh. Cheeses should be removed from the fridge about an hour beforehand to allow them to come to room temperature and develop their full flavours. If you have leftover cheeses, wrap them well and store them in the fridge, where they will keep for several days.
With these tips in mind, you'll be well on your way to creating a delicious and impressive cheese board that your guests will love. Remember to have fun with it and use your creativity to make it your own!
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Finishing touches
Once you've selected your cheeses, meats, crackers, fruits, and nuts, it's time to add the finishing touches to your cheese board. Start by placing small spoons or serving utensils in bowls, and positioning cheese knives near the relevant cheeses. If you're serving honey, you might want to drizzle some over soft cheese.
You can also add some garnishes to give your cheese board a seasonal touch. Use edible flowers, fresh herbs, or additional fruits to give your board the look and feel you want. If you have any gaps left on your board, fill them with additional nuts or fruit. You can also add small bowls of condiments such as jam, mustard, or chutney.
If you're serving a variety of cheeses, you might want to offer some guidance to your guests. Label the cheeses, or provide a key to help your guests identify each variety. You could also suggest some ideal combinations of cheese, crackers, meats, and condiments.
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Frequently asked questions
Slate or wooden trays are commonly used for cheese boards, but any flat surface will work. You can also use a plate, platter, cutting board, or baking sheet.
Try to include a variety of flavours and textures by selecting cheeses from different families. Some basic families include aged cheeses (cheddar, gruyere, gouda), soft cheeses (brie, camembert, goat), hard cheeses (manchego, parmesan, edam), and blue cheese (gorgonzola, roquefort, stilton).
In addition to cheese, you can include meats, crackers, fruits, nuts, dips, vegetables, pickles, olives, and other snack foods.
Start with the items that take up the most room, such as the cheese, and then fill in the gaps with the other components. You can also place small bowls around the board to hold dips and smaller items, adding height and visual interest.
In addition to the board itself, you will need small spoons or serving utensils, small bowls or dishes, and cheese knives for slicing and spreading the cheeses.
