Randy Chandler
A cheese board is a perfect appetizer for any occasion, be it a dinner party, happy hour, or holiday get-together. It offers a variety of flavours and textures, is easy to put together, and requires no cooking. The key to a good cheese board is variety—in terms of both flavour and texture. It's best to have a mix of hard and soft cheeses, such as cheddar, goat cheese, brie, blue cheese, gouda, and ricotta. You can also add crackers, fruits, nuts, meats, and olives to fill up space and add colour. If you're serving a cheese board as an appetizer, plan for 2-3 oz of cheese per person, and adjust the amount based on the number of accompaniments you provide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cheese varieties | 3-6 |
| Types of cheese | Hard, medium, soft, funky |
| Examples of hard cheese | Aged cheddar, havarti, comté, manchego, gouda |
| Examples of medium cheese | Aged cheddar |
| Examples of soft cheese | Brie, camembert, goat cheese, sheep's cheese, ricotta |
| Examples of funky cheese | Blue cheese, gorgonzola, stilton |
| Amount of cheese per person | 2-4 oz. |
| Accompaniments | Crackers, bread, fruits, nuts, olives, pickles, jam, chocolate, honey, dried fruit, meats |
| Arrangement | Fill every space on the board, do not let the same things touch each other, stick to a colour story |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cheeses
When it comes to choosing the right cheeses, it's important to consider a variety of factors to create a well-rounded and appealing cheese board. Here are some guidelines to help you select the perfect cheeses:
Variety of Cheeses
Offer a range of different cheeses to cater to various tastes and preferences. Include a mix of hard, medium, and soft cheeses to provide different textures and flavours. Examples of hard cheeses include aged cheddar, havarti, comté, manchego, or gouda. For soft cheeses, consider brie, camembert, goat cheese, or ricotta. If you want to add a unique twist, include a "funky cheese" like blue cheese or gorgonzola.
Amount and Presentation of Cheeses
The number of cheeses you choose depends on the size of your gathering. For a small group, two types of hard cheese and two types of soft cheese are sufficient. For larger parties, aim for five to six different cheeses. Cut the cheeses into different shapes, such as triangles, cubes, or crumbles, and arrange them attractively on the board. You can also leave some as whole blocks or serve soft cheeses in a bowl with a drizzle of olive oil.
Personal Preference and Seasoning
Cheese boards are a great way to showcase your personal taste and style. Visit your local cheese shop to explore new and interesting options, or stick with your favourites. Consider the season and opt for cheeses that complement the time of year. For example, aged cheddar is perfect for winter, while fresh goat cheese might be better suited for spring.
Accompaniments
While the focus is on cheese, remember to include accompaniments that complement the cheeses. Fresh and dried fruits, nuts, crackers, and meats like prosciutto or salami are excellent choices. Olives, tapenade, and pickled peppers can also add a briny contrast to the richness of the cheeses.
Planning and Timing
Consider the amount of cheese per person when planning your cheese board. As a rule of thumb, plan for 2-3 ounces of cheese per person if serving with accompaniments, and 4-5 ounces if the cheese board is the main course. If you're using soft cheeses, take them out of the fridge about an hour before serving to bring them to room temperature.
With these tips in mind, you'll be well on your way to creating a delightful and mouthwatering cheese board that's sure to impress!
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Selecting meats
When selecting meats for a cheese board, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, variety is key. Choose a variety of meats with different flavours and textures to keep things interesting. Aim for around three different types of meat, such as prosciutto, salami, and cured meats. If you're serving a large group, you can add more varieties.
It's important to consider the presentation of the meats. Fan them out or layer them in an attractive way, ensuring they don't touch other meats of a similar hue to create a visually appealing board. Create prosciutto roses or salami fans for a fun and dimensional effect. Nestle the meats against the cheeses and repeat ingredients in different places on the board to make it practical for multiple guests to access.
If you're unsure what meats to choose, ask your local cheese shop or a well-stocked grocery store for guidance. Meats like prosciutto and salami are popular choices, but you can also get creative and experiment with different options. Consider the season and add colour to your board. For example, serve apples, pears, or grapes in the fall, and berries or stone fruits in the summer.
Remember to cut the meats into bite-sized pieces or thin slices, making them easy for guests to grab and enjoy. Meats should be the star of the show, so ensure you have enough to satisfy your guests' appetites, especially if serving a large group.
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Preparing fruits and vegetables
Firstly, wash all fresh fruits and vegetables before slicing or preparing them for the cheese board. This ensures they are clean and ready for consumption. Choose fruits and vegetables that are in season and fresh, as they will taste better and add a burst of colour to your board.
When selecting fruits, consider a variety of colours, textures, and flavours. For example, berries such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries add a pop of colour and a sweet taste. You can slice larger fruits like apples, pears, and stone fruits (peaches, plums, nectarines) into wedges or slices. Drizzle a bit of lemon juice on apple and pear slices to prevent them from browning. Grapes are also a great choice, as they are easy for guests to grab and eat.
For vegetables, you can include options like baby zucchini, rainbow carrots, cherry tomatoes, pickled vegetables (green beans, asparagus, beets, onions), and blanched vegetables. If you want to include a dip, consider hummus, ranch dressing, or another favourite dip. Olives are also a tasty addition to the board, and you can provide a small bowl for the pits.
When preparing your fruits and vegetables, cut them into bite-sized pieces or easy-to-grab sizes. You can arrange them in small clusters or groups on the board, filling in the gaps between the cheeses and crackers. Try to space them out for flavour balance and a cohesive colour presentation.
Finally, don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different fruits and vegetables. You can always improvise based on what's available and in season. Remember, the key is to provide a variety of colours, textures, and flavours that will complement the cheeses on your board.
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Adding crackers and bread
When it comes to adding crackers and bread to your cheese board, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, variety is key. Offer your guests a range of textures and flavours by including different types of crackers and bread. For example, you could have a buttery cracker, a thin and mild cracker, and a seedy, grainy cracker. You could also include crostini, breadsticks, and a fresh sliced baguette. Fan them out along the edges of the cheese plate to make them easily accessible to your guests.
If you're worried about the crackers and bread going stale, it's best to add them to the plate just before serving. This will ensure they maintain their crispy texture. You can also put out a bowl of extra crackers on the side, so guests can help themselves if they want more.
In addition to crackers and bread, you can fill in the gaps on your cheese board with fruits, nuts, and other small bites. Fresh or dried fruits such as grapes, apples, pears, berries, and stone fruits are all excellent choices. For nuts, consider almonds, pecans, hazelnuts, or any variety you prefer. Olives, cornichons and other types of pickles add a briny element, while jams, honey, and chutney bring sweetness to the board.
Remember, the key to a successful cheese board is variety and abundance. By offering a range of crackers, bread, and other accompaniments, you'll create a visually appealing and delicious spread for your guests to enjoy.
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Presentation and arrangement
When it comes to presenting and arranging a cheese board, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, variety is essential. Offer a range of flavours, colours, shapes, and textures to make the cheese board enticing and exciting. Aim for a balance of different types of cheese, such as hard, medium, soft, and funky or wild cheeses. For instance, aged cheddar, havarti, gouda, brie, camembert, goat cheese, blue cheese, and ricotta. You can leave some cheeses as blocks, cut them into triangles or cubes, crumble them, or serve them in a bowl with olive oil.
Secondly, accompaniments are crucial. Include crackers, bread, meats, fruits (both fresh and dried), nuts, briny items like pickles or olives, and sweet items like honey, jam, or chocolate. When placing these items on the board, ensure that no two of the same things touch each other, creating a visually appealing and colourful spread. Fan out crackers and meats, layer meats attractively, and create piles or groups of fruits, nuts, and meats to ensure the board looks abundant and well-stocked.
Thirdly, consider the serving size and the number of guests. As a rule of thumb, plan for 2-3 ounces of cheese per person. If you're serving many accompaniments, people will likely eat less cheese, and vice versa. For a large party, five to six cheeses should suffice, and you may need an extra-large board or two separate boards.
Lastly, pay attention to the details. If serving olives with pits, provide a small bowl for the pits. Cut fruits like apples and pears just before serving, and drizzle them with lemon juice to prevent browning. For soft cheeses, provide a butter knife or spreader, and consider taking them out of the fridge about an hour before serving. You can also add non-edible garnishes like flowers or ornaments for a festive touch.
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Frequently asked questions
A good rule of thumb is to have 3 ounces of cheese per person. If you're serving a lot of accompaniments, people will eat less cheese. If you're making a cheese board for dinner, plan for 4-5 ounces per person. If the cheese board is for four people, it's recommended to have two types of hard cheeses and two types of soft cheese. For a large party, five to six cheeses should be plenty.
Choose cheese options with a variety of flavors and textures. Include soft cheeses like goat cheese, semi-hard cheeses like cheddar, and aged cheeses like Parmesan or gouda. You can also add funky cheeses like blue cheese or gorgonzola.
In addition to cheese, you can add crackers, meats, fruits, nuts, olives, jams, and pickles. For a festive touch, add some non-edible garnishes like flowers, ornaments, or tinsel.
