Kamil Perry
Meat and cheese trays are a great appetizer for any gathering and are perfect for last-minute entertaining. They are easy to make, require minimal prep, and can be tailored to your own taste. This article will cover everything you need to know to make a delicious and elegant meat and cheese tray that will impress your guests. From choosing the right meats and cheeses to adding the perfect accompaniments, we will guide you through the process of creating a mouth-watering platter that will be the star of any party.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of types of cheese | 2-3 |
| Types of cheese | Hard, soft, medium, crumbly, creamy, aged, firm, blue, goat |
| Number of types of meat | 2-3 |
| Types of meat | Salami, prosciutto, coppa ham, pepperoni, cured meat, Italian meat, turkey, roast beef |
| Other foods | Crackers, bread, baguette, dried fruit, nuts, olives, grapes, pickles, relishes, dips, mustard, honey, jam, chutney, preserves, fruits, vegetables, berries |
| Amount of meat per person | 2 oz |
| Amount of cheese per person | 1.5-2 oz |
| Amount of wine per person | 2-3 glasses |
| Preparation time | 15 minutes |
| Storage | Refrigerate and serve within 24 hours |
| Serving time | No more than 2 hours |
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What You'll Learn
Choose a variety of meats and cheeses
When creating a meat and cheese tray, it's important to offer a variety of options to your guests. This means selecting different types of meat and cheese with a range of textures and flavours.
For the meat, you could include some sliced cured meats such as prosciutto, coppa ham, salami, pepperoni, or summer sausage. If you want to offer something healthier, try turkey ham or turkey slices. For a more elegant platter, try folding or rolling the meats for added artistic flair.
When it comes to cheese, it's customary to choose three types for your platter. A good combination might include a hard cheese such as Parmesan or Cheddar, a soft cheese such as Brie or Camembert, and a medium cheese such as Havarti or Gouda. If you want to get creative, you could also make a blueberry goat cheese by mixing in some blueberry preserves or jam.
You can also add some crackers that won't overpower the flavour of the meats and cheeses. Try Saltines, Stone Wheat Crackers, water crackers, or thin pretzel wafers.
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Add dips, spreads, and relishes
Dips, spreads, and relishes are a great way to elevate a meat and cheese tray. They add texture, flavour, and variety to the platter. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Dips and Spreads
- A strong mustard blend, such as a mixture of Dijon and whole-grain mustard, pairs well with fatty meats like salami and summer sausage.
- Red pepper jelly is a popular choice that can be served with crackers and a slice of cheese.
- Whipped feta dip is a delicious option that can be paired with meats and crackers.
- Spicy mustard goes well with prosciutto and brie.
- Honey, fancy mustards, jams, and hummus are also great options.
- Olive tapenade, made with pitted olives and chopped giardiniera, is a quick and easy dip to make.
- Fig jam or compote is a wonderful pairing for many different types of cheeses.
- A sweet onion spread can be a tasty addition to the meat and cheese tray.
- Cherry cheesecake dip, made with cream cheese and canned cherry pie filling, is an easy and addictive dessert option.
- For a refreshing option, consider vegetal and herbal dips like pesto, eggplant dip, or chimichurri to balance the strong flavours of cheese and cured meats.
Relishes
- Pickled relishes like small bowls of pickles, olives, or pickled okra add a tangy flavour to the platter.
- Tiny dill pickles or pickled asparagus go great with cheese and crackers.
- Bread and butter pickles are a nice addition to the tray.
When selecting dips, spreads, and relishes, consider choosing options that complement the cheeses and meats on your tray. Also, don't be afraid to enhance existing condiments by adding a drop of hot sauce, a drizzle of honey, or a splash of vinegar to create unique flavour profiles.
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Pick crackers that don't overpower
When it comes to creating a meat and cheese tray, it's important to select crackers that complement the flavours of the meats and cheeses without overpowering them. Opt for crackers that are more neutral in flavour, such as Saltines, Stone Wheat Crackers, or water crackers. These options provide a nice base for your guests to enjoy the other flavours on the tray without being too overwhelming.
In addition to choosing crackers with milder flavours, you can also offer a variety of textures to enhance the overall experience. Include crackers with different shapes, sizes, and thicknesses to add interest and variety to your tray. For example, you could provide thin and crispy crackers, such as pretzel wafers or breadsticks, alongside heartier options like bread slices or baguette pieces. This way, your guests can enjoy a range of textures, from crispy to crunchy, without any one cracker dominating the flavour profile.
While it's essential to have a good selection of crackers, you can also offer other bases or accompaniments to further elevate your meat and cheese tray. Sliced baguette, French or Italian bread, and breadsticks are all excellent choices that provide a different texture and mouthfeel compared to crackers. These options can also be toasted, adding a subtle crunch and warmth to the tray.
Finally, when selecting crackers, it's a good idea to consider the portion size and number of guests you'll be serving. Crackers can be quite filling, so offering a variety of other bases, such as bread or rolls, can help stretch the crackers further and ensure there is enough for everyone. This is especially important if you're serving a large group or if your guests tend to have heartier appetites. By offering a diverse selection of crackers and other bases, you can create a well-rounded and satisfying meat and cheese tray that your guests will rave about!
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Prepare fruits and veggies
Preparing fruits and veggies for a meat and cheese tray is a fun and creative process. It's a chance to add colour, variety, and texture to your platter. Here are some tips to help you prepare the fruits and veggies for your meat and cheese tray:
Selecting the Produce
Choose fruits and vegetables that are in season, as they will be at their freshest and most flavourful. Opt for fruits and veggies with bright, vivid colours to make your tray more visually appealing. For example, sweet cherries, watermelon, red grapes, cucumbers, yellow and orange bell peppers, and multi-coloured heirloom cherry tomatoes. You can also add some greenery with herbs or leafy vegetables.
Preparing the Produce
Slice and cube any larger fruits and vegetables into bite-sized pieces. For instance, cut watermelon into triangles or cubes, and separate grapes into small bunches or individual pieces. For longer vegetables like cucumbers, cut them into thin, round slices. You can also prepare veggies like bell peppers by slicing them into strips or bite-sized pieces. If you want to get creative, use small cookie cutters to cut cucumbers, bell peppers, or other veggies into fun shapes.
Pickling and Marinating
If you want to include pickled vegetables, prepare them ahead of time. Cucumbers, red onions, and pepperoncini are excellent choices for pickling. You can also offer tangy options like vinegar-based sauces such as vinaigrettes or chimichurri. These add a sour and tangy element to your tray.
Presentation
Arrange the fruits and veggies attractively on the tray. Place them in small clusters or groups to fill in the spaces between the meats and cheeses. You can also use small bowls or plates to hold wet or messy ingredients like olives, dips, or pickles separately. Sprinkle nuts or dried fruits like apricots or raisins over the tray to add some extra texture and flavour.
Preparing fruits and veggies for a meat and cheese tray is a delightful way to showcase your creativity and offer a variety of tasty, healthy options for your guests to enjoy.
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Fold, slice, and cube
When preparing the meat for your tray, you will want to have it sliced fairly thin for the purposes of folding and/or rolling the meat. Ask your deli for thin slices, or slice the meat yourself if it comes in a log. If your meat is pre-sliced, separate the slices so that your guests can easily pick up a slice without disturbing the rest of the stack.
If you are using larger pieces of cheese, provide a different knife for each kind of cheese so that guests can cut their own slices. If you are using smaller pieces of cheese, cut them into cubes. Stack eight slices of each type of cheese and cut them diagonally into triangles. Fan out each stack of cheese slices and place them on the tray.
If you are using pickled relishes, such as pickles or olives, place them in small bowls. You can also serve dips and spreads alongside your meat and cheese tray. A strong mustard blend pairs well with fatty meats like summer sausage and salami. Red pepper jelly is another nice addition that pairs well with crackers and cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a variety of meats, cheeses, crackers, fruits, and spreads. Meats can include salami, prosciutto, and ham. Cheeses can include cheddar, gouda, and brie. Crackers can be simple, like Saltines or Stone Wheat Crackers, or more flavourful, like rosemary breadsticks. Fruits can include grapes, apples, or berries. Spreads can include honey, mustard, or jam.
For a small gathering of six friends, plan on 12-15 ounces of meats and 10 ounces of cheeses. If you are serving larger pieces of cheese for guests to cut themselves, provide a different knife for each kind of cheese.
Start with the largest items first, such as meat, cheese, and bread. Then add medium-sized items like small bowls of spreads or dips. Finally, fill in with smaller items like dried fruit and nuts. If you are using a round platter, place the meat in a ring, leaving an open space in the middle. Cut the cheese into triangles and fan them out on the tray.
