Patrick Oconnell
Cheese and crackers are a popular choice for wedding food, whether as a simple appetizer or part of a larger charcuterie board. When creating a cheese platter, it's essential to consider the different types of cheese, such as hard, soft, and blue, and choose a variety of mild and strong cheeses to accommodate different tastes. Crackers should be served separately to avoid sogginess, and it's important to provide a range of options, including gluten-free crackers, to cater to various dietary restrictions. In addition to crackers, bread slices, fruits, vegetables, dips, and spreads like chutney and mustard can enhance the cheese platter. For a cocktail-style wedding reception without a main meal, a more expansive selection with meats and nuts can be offered.
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What You'll Learn
- Charcuterie board essentials: meat, cheese, crackers, fruit, veggies, dips, bread
- How much to serve: 4-5 crackers per person, 0.10 lb of cheese per person?
- Avoid sogginess: don't place crackers directly on the board
- Pairing with wine: match intensities, e.g. intense cheese with Cabernet Sauvignon
- Gluten-free, vegan, lactose-intolerant guests: ensure there are suitable options
Charcuterie board essentials: meat, cheese, crackers, fruit, veggies, dips, bread
Charcuterie boards are a great way to serve cheese and crackers at a wedding. They can be customised to include a variety of meats, cheeses, crackers, fruits, veggies, dips, and bread. Here are some essentials to consider when creating a charcuterie board for a wedding:
Meat:
Cured meats are the traditional choice for charcuterie boards. Popular options include prosciutto, salami, ham, chorizo, and summer sausage. Get creative with meat shapes—for example, roses and rivers are especially eye-catching for salami.
Cheese:
Offer a variety of cheeses, including hard and soft cheeses, and cheeses made from different types of milk (cow, sheep, goat). Choose an odd number of cheeses (3, 5, or 7), depending on the number of guests. Some popular options include Manchego, goat cheese, Gouda, and cream cheese with jalapeño jelly.
Crackers:
Provide a variety of crackers, including plain water crackers, simple saltines, and gluten-free options. If you want to get ambitious, you can even make homemade crackers like cheese straws. Avoid placing crackers directly on the charcuterie board to prevent sogginess.
Fruit:
Add colour and sweetness to the board with fruits like grapes, raspberries, blackberries, and dried fruits. For a festive touch, include candied oranges or chocolate-covered strawberries.
Veggies:
Fresh vegetables provide a crunchy and colourful contrast to the other options on the board. Carrots, bell peppers, celery, broccoli, radishes are all great choices.
Dips and Spreads:
Offer a variety of dips and spreads to complement the meats and cheeses. Options like fig butter, artichoke dip, hummus, mustards, jams, and chutneys will elevate your charcuterie board.
Bread:
Don't skimp on the bread! Baguettes, toast points, flatbreads, crostini, and toasted pita are all great choices. Warm up the bread by spritzing it with a bit of water and baking it for 5-10 minutes—your guests will love the fresh, warm bread with their meats and cheeses.
Remember to be mindful of any dietary restrictions your guests may have, such as gluten or lactose intolerance, and provide alternatives if needed.
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How much to serve: 4-5 crackers per person, 0.10 lb of cheese per person
When serving cheese and crackers at a wedding, it is important to consider how much to serve. For about 150 people, 7 kg or 15 lbs of cheese is required, which is roughly 0.10 lb of cheese per person. For the same number of people, you would need 750 crackers in total, which amounts to 4 to 5 crackers per person. This calculation also includes 4 to 5 toast points per person, which is a similar amount. This quantity of food will feed your guests well and is a safe estimate.
When creating a cheese board, it is recommended to include at least one of the three types of cheese: hard, soft, and blue. Popular hard and semi-hard cheeses include Swiss, cheddar, Parmesan, and Gruyère. Some soft cheese options are goat cheese, Camembert, chèvre, and Brie. Examples of blue cheese include Gorgonzola, Roquefort, and Stilton. You can also add some in-between cheeses, like semi-soft varieties (Fontina, Havarti, and Muenster). It is also a good idea to include a variety of crackers, such as multigrain and butter, as well as slices of toasted bread or rolls.
To enhance the cheese and cracker experience, consider adding spreads such as chutney, mustard, and fruit jellies, which are usually a safe bet. You can also offer a selection of meats, fruits, and vegetables to accompany the cheese and crackers. Some popular meat choices include salami and ham, and you can shape them into roses and rivers, especially for salami. For fruits, consider big bunches of grapes, raspberries, and blackberries, or choose your favourites.
It is important to note that if you are serving other appetizers alongside the cheese and crackers, you will not need as much as you would if it were the only snack offered. Additionally, if your wedding is during a meal time, it is recommended to provide a full meal or ensure that your guests know that there won't be a full meal so they can plan accordingly.
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Avoid sogginess: don't place crackers directly on the board
To prevent crackers from becoming soggy, it is recommended not to place them directly on the board. This is a simple yet effective way to maintain the freshness of the crackers and enhance the overall presentation of the charcuterie board. Here are some alternative ways to serve crackers at your wedding, ensuring they remain crisp and appealing:
Separate Container: Place the crackers in a separate container or bowl, ensuring easy access for your guests. This method keeps the crackers fresh and allows for better arrangement on the board. It also gives you the flexibility to replenish the crackers as needed, maintaining a constant supply for your guests.
Individual Packages: Consider providing individually packaged crackers, especially if you're offering a variety of flavours or types. This approach ensures that each cracker remains fresh and crisp. It also adds a unique touch to your presentation, giving your guests a neatly packaged treat to enjoy.
Cracker Basket: Another option is to display crackers in a decorative basket or tray alongside the charcuterie board. This setup not only keeps the crackers off the board but also adds visual interest to your display. Choose a basket that complements your wedding theme or colour palette to create a stylish and functional addition to your food presentation.
Cracker Display: If you want to showcase your crackers in a more creative way, consider setting up a dedicated cracker display area. This could be a separate table or a designated section on the buffet table. Here, you can artfully arrange different types of crackers, allowing guests to help themselves while avoiding sogginess.
By adopting these suggestions, you can ensure that your crackers remain fresh and tempting, contributing to a delightful culinary experience for your wedding guests. Remember, presentation and attention to detail are key when it comes to creating a memorable food display at your wedding.
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Pairing with wine: match intensities, e.g. intense cheese with Cabernet Sauvignon
When it comes to serving cheese and crackers at a wedding, a charcuterie board is a popular option. This allows guests to sample a variety of cheeses, crackers, meats, fruits, and vegetables. To ensure the crackers remain fresh and crisp, it is best not to place them directly on the charcuterie board. Instead, provide a separate plate for bread and crackers, accompanied by mustards, jams, or chutneys.
When it comes to pairing wine with intense cheese, a medium-bodied red like Cabernet Sauvignon is a good choice for hard cheeses. For a successful pairing, match intensities, keeping in mind that the sweeter the wine, the saltier the cheese should be. For example, a generous sip of aged tawny port, with its notes of apple brandy, spiced pear, and toasty walnut, pairs beautifully with a salty, creamy cheese like Smokey Blue, as the wine cuts through the creaminess while adding a pop of warmth and earthiness.
Another classic pairing is a fruity red like Pinot Noir with soft cheeses. The oak-aged Pinot Noir, with its distinct cedar-like spices, red cherry, pine forest, and wildflower notes, complements the sweet and creamy flavours of a cheese wrapped in spruce cambium bark.
For those who enjoy a full-bodied white wine, a rich and mouth-watering Albariño from Lodi pairs well with raw cow's milk cheese that has been cellar-aged, offering subtle nutty and grassy notes with hints of honey.
When creating a wine and cheese pairing, it is important to remember that it is a fun and humble culinary experience, allowing you to explore classic combinations and experiment with new ones to find your favourites.
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Gluten-free, vegan, lactose-intolerant guests: ensure there are suitable options
It is important to ensure that all your wedding guests are accommodated, including those with dietary restrictions or allergies. If you plan to serve cheese and crackers at your wedding, here are some ideas to ensure gluten-free, vegan, and lactose-intolerant guests have suitable options:
Gluten-Free Options:
Offer gluten-free crackers as part of your wedding charcuterie board or as a separate option. You can find store-bought gluten-free crackers or make your own using gluten-free flour. Gluten-free flour, such as a blend of almond flour, coconut flour, tapioca flour, and arrowroot starch, can be used in place of regular flour in cracker recipes to create crispy and crunchy gluten-free cheese crackers.
Vegan Options:
Provide vegan cheese options for your lactose-intolerant and vegan guests. You can purchase vegan cheese crackers or make your own using vegan cheese alternatives, such as Violife or Miyoko's shredded cheese. Vegan cheese crackers can be made with gluten-free flour, vegan cheese, dairy-free butter, and salt. Nutritional yeast is often added to vegan recipes to provide a cheesy flavor.
Lactose-Intolerant Options:
In addition to vegan cheese options, you can offer other lactose-free snacks for guests who are lactose intolerant. This could include crackers without cheese, or other savory options like nuts, seeds, or vegetable sticks.
Individual Charcuterie Boards:
Consider providing individual charcuterie boards for each guest, which can be customized to accommodate dietary restrictions. These miniature boards can include your initials, wedding date, or a specialty design, doubling as a memorable wedding favor.
Clear Labelling and Communication:
Ensure that all food options are clearly labelled, indicating whether they are gluten-free, vegan, or lactose-free. Communicate with your guests ahead of time to understand their dietary restrictions and ensure that suitable options are available.
By offering a variety of gluten-free, vegan, and lactose-intolerant options, you can ensure that all your guests feel included and are able to enjoy the cheese and crackers at your wedding.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to have 0.10 lb of cheese per person, and 4-5 crackers per person.
It is best to include a variety of cheeses with different flavours and intensities. You can include hard, soft, and blue cheese. Some popular options include Swiss, cheddar, Parmesan, goat cheese, Camembert, and Brie.
You can serve a variety of meats, fruits, vegetables, dips, and spreads. Popular meat options include salami and ham, while grapes, berries, and bread are also common additions. You can also include mustards, jams, and chutneys.
Cheese and crackers are typically served during cocktail hour or during the early portions of wedding receptions. If serving during dinner time, it is important to communicate to guests that there won't be a full meal.
