Frederic Melton
A cheese platter is an easy and delicious appetizer for any occasion, and putting one together can be a fun art project. The key to an amazing cheese platter is variety, so it's important to choose three to five different cheeses with a mix of textures and flavours. In addition to cheese, a platter usually includes bread, crackers, cured meats, fresh fruit, nuts, and pickled or marinated items. To elevate your cheese platter, try adding a sweet component like honey or jam. When it comes to presentation, get creative and have fun! Arrange everything in piles, mixing different shapes, sizes, and colours on a large platter or board.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cheese varieties | 3-5 |
| Type of milk | Cow, sheep, goat |
| Texture | Soft, semi-firm, hard/aged |
| Display | Spears, wedges, cubes, whole, sliced, rolled up |
| Accompaniments | Bread, crackers, cured meats, fresh fruit, nuts, olives, dried fruit, jam, honey |
| Cheese amount | 3 ounces per person |
| Serving temperature | Room temperature |
| Serving time | 30 minutes to 1 hour after taking out of the fridge |
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What You'll Learn
Choose a variety of cheeses
The first step to putting together a cheese platter is choosing a variety of cheeses. The number of cheeses you select depends on the number of people you are serving. A good rule of thumb is to choose three to five different cheeses for a small group and five to six for a large party.
When selecting your cheeses, aim for a variety of flavours and textures. Choose from soft cheeses, such as Brie, Camembert, or soft goat cheese; funky blue cheeses, such as Gorgonzola, Stilton, or Roquefort; creamy cheeses, like Brillat Savarin or Nettle Meadow Kunik; semi-hard or hard cheeses, including pecorino and Parmesan; and aged cheeses. You can also include spreadable cheeses like cream cheese, flavoured with herbs, spices, or chilli sauce. If you pick two cheeses from a single category, make sure that they still contrast in some way. For example, if you choose two soft cheeses, select ones with distinct flavours, such as tangy goat cheese and buttery Brie.
In addition to flavour and texture, you can also vary the type of milk, selecting from cow, sheep, and goat's milk cheeses. If you are serving a large group, you may also want to consider including both a whole cheese and sliced cheese, as this makes for a visually appealing platter.
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Select complementary foods
When it comes to selecting complementary foods for your cheese platter, the key is to offer a variety of flavours, colours, shapes, and textures. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Bread and Crackers
Bread and crackers provide a vehicle for your cheese and can add texture to your platter. Choose a crusty bread such as a baguette or olive bread, and/or a variety of crackers such as water crackers, rice crackers, or gluten-free options. Fan out the crackers or bread along the edges of the platter, or arrange them in small piles or stacks to fill in gaps.
Meat
Cured meats like prosciutto or jamon serrano are a wonderful complement to cheese. You can also add dried sausages, folding them into quarters or slicing them into bite-sized portions.
Fruits and Vegetables
Add a mix of fresh and dried fruits to your platter for a pop of colour and a burst of sweetness. Grapes, berries, apples, and figs are all great choices. You can also include vegetables such as radishes, carrots, or pickled options like cornichons or artichokes.
Nuts
Nuts provide a crunchy texture and can be used to fill in any gaps on the platter. Almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and Marcona almonds are all good options.
Condiments and Spreads
Honey, jam, or chutney can add a sweet or spicy element to your platter. Consider options like fig jam, guava paste, or honey, or a little wedge of honeycomb. You can also offer mustards or dips like pesto or tapenade.
Olives
Olives are always a welcome addition to a cheese platter. Castelvetrano olives or Kalamata olives are great choices, and you can toss them with herbs, citrus zest, and olive oil for an extra flavour boost. If you're serving olives with pits, provide a small bowl for the pits.
Remember, the key to a great cheese platter is variety, so have fun and get creative with your combinations!
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Arrange the cheese and accompaniments
When arranging the cheese and accompaniments, the first step is to select a cheese board or platter that is large enough to hold all the cheeses and accompaniments. A plain, dark slate, or rustic wooden cutting board can be used, or even a simple tray covered with parchment paper. Next, decide on the cheeses. Choose three to five different cheeses with a variety of textures such as soft, semi-firm, and hard/aged cheeses, and different types of milk, such as cow, sheep, and goat's cheese. Display the cheeses in different ways—spears, wedges, cubes, whole, sliced, or rolled up. Avoid pre-sliced cheese as slicing it yourself will make it fresher.
Now, it's time to add the accompaniments. First, add some bread or crackers. Fan them out along the edges of the cheese plate to make them easy to grab. Then, fill in the gaps with fruit. Break the fruit into small pieces and scatter them across the board. Intersperse cured meats such as prosciutto or jamon serrano among the other ingredients. Add some crunch with nuts, and balance the richness of the cheese with something pickled or marinated like olives, cornichons, or artichokes. Finally, add a sweet component like fig jam, guava paste, or honey.
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Use the right tools
A cheese platter is a great appetizer for any occasion, and it's easy to put together. To make a good cheese platter, you need to use the right tools. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Firstly, you'll need a large board to hold all your cheeses and accompaniments. A plain cutting board or a large serving platter will do. Dark slate boards and rustic wooden boards are a great choice, but you can also use a simple plastic cutting board or a large dinner plate. If you don't have a large board, you can put several smaller cutting boards together. You can also cover a tray or baking sheet with parchment paper.
Next, you'll need the right utensils. Cheese knives are ideal, and it's best to have one for each cheese. You can also use butter knives, cocktail forks, cocktail picks, or toothpicks. If you want to get creative, you can use cheese markers to label the different cheeses.
When it comes to cheese, variety is key. Aim for three to five different cheeses with a mix of textures and flavours. Include soft, semi-firm, and hard/aged cheeses made from different types of milk, such as cow, sheep, or goat's cheese. Display the cheeses in different ways, such as spears, wedges, cubes, or slices. Avoid pre-sliced cheese, as slicing it yourself ensures freshness and allows you to control the thickness of the slices.
Finally, don't forget to take the cheese out of the fridge 30 minutes to one hour before serving to let it come to room temperature. Cheese tastes best when served at room temperature, and your guests will appreciate the creamy texture.
By following these tips and using the right tools, you'll be well on your way to creating a delicious and impressive cheese platter that your guests will surely enjoy.
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Store the cheese properly
Storing cheese properly is essential to maintaining its freshness, taste, and texture. While cheese is a preservation method for milk, storing it correctly is crucial to prevent spoilage. Here are some detailed instructions for storing cheese properly:
Wrapping Cheese
The best way to wrap cheese is to use cheese paper, a thick paper coated with wax and polyethylene on one side. Parchment or wax paper can also be used, followed by a loosely sealed container or plastic bag. Reusable beeswax wraps are another effective option. For soft cheeses like blues and Bries, it is advisable to occasionally open the container to prevent condensation and off-flavors.
Storing in the Refrigerator
All cheeses are best stored in the refrigerator at around 35°F/4°C. The cheese and produce drawers in the fridge help maintain humidity and a cool temperature. However, the bottom bins usually reserved for vegetables are also ideal due to higher humidity levels, which benefit cheese.
Avoiding Plastic Wrap and Containers
Plastic wrap is not recommended for storing cheese, as it can lead to condensation and sweating. Cheese is a living organism and requires an environment that allows for gas exchange. Glass or plastic containers can be used for short periods, but they must keep the cheese humid and cool.
Storing Different Types of Cheese
Fresh cheeses like mozzarella and feta have the shortest shelf life. These cheeses are sometimes packaged in brine to prolong their quality. Soft cheeses like Brie and Camembert will continue to soften over time, while hard cheeses like Parmesan and Asiago will get harder as they age. For cooking or grating, hard cheeses like Cheddar and low-moisture mozzarella can be frozen. Freezing softer cheeses may result in a grainy texture.
Slicing and Serving Cheese
It is best to purchase cheese in large pieces and slice it as needed. Slicing increases the surface area, exposing the cheese to possible contamination, oxidation, and dehydration, reducing its shelf life. When serving, take the cheese out of the fridge 30 minutes to a couple of hours ahead of time to enhance flavors and soften textures.
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Frequently asked questions
A good rule of thumb is to allow approximately 3 ounces of cheese per person. For larger parties, you can have five to six varieties of cheese.
Variety is key. Choose a mix of hard, semi-firm, soft, and blue-veined cheeses. You can also vary the type of milk, such as cow, sheep, and goat's cheese.
You can include bread, crackers, cured meats, fresh fruit, dried fruit, nuts, olives, pickles, and something sweet like honey or jam.
Get creative and have fun! Arrange everything in piles, mixing different shapes, sizes, and colours. Leave some space between the different types of cheese and fan out the crackers and bread slices.
Cheese tastes best at room temperature, so take it out at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving.
