Andy Montoya
A slate cheese board is a great way to display and serve cheese. Slate cheese boards are lightweight, easy to clean, and non-porous, meaning they won't absorb flavours, colours, or bacteria from food. You can also write directly on slate with chalk to label your cheeses and accompaniments. When using a slate cheese board, it's important to remember to serve your cheeses at room temperature and to provide your guests with a variety of side items such as crackers, bread, and condiments. To care for your slate cheese board, you should hand wash it with a soapy sponge and treat it with food-grade mineral oil to keep it in good condition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Display and serving cheese and crackers |
| Food safety | Food-safe mineral oil should be used to treat the slate |
| Refrigeration | Can be refrigerated or frozen to keep cheese cold |
| Cleaning | Hand-wash only with a soapy sponge, then rinse and dry thoroughly |
| Durability | Sturdy and durable but can chip or shatter if dropped |
| Weight | Lightweight |
| Aesthetics | Can be customised with engravings |
| Cheese types | A variety of textures, flavours and colours |
| Cheese shapes | Blocks, wedges, squares and circles |
| Cheese arrangement | Arrange in a clockwise direction based on texture |
| Accompaniments | Salami, speck, olives, nuts, grapes, dried apricots, crackers, bread, fig jam, fruit preserves, honey, mustard and wine |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing your slate cheese board
Firstly, ensure your slate board is clean and dry. Slate boards are easy to clean and can be hand-washed with a soapy sponge, rinsed, and dried thoroughly. Once clean, apply a few drops of food-grade mineral oil to the surface and wipe it down with a soft, lint-free cloth. Allow the slate to absorb the oil overnight before buffing away any excess. This process will ensure your slate board is non-porous and won't absorb flavours, colours, or bacteria from food. It will also give your board a lustrous finish and help it last longer.
If you wish to label your cheeses and accompaniments, you can write directly on the slate board with dust-free, food-safe, white soapstone chalk. This will allow your guests to easily identify the different cheeses on offer. You can also use the chalk to doodle messages or add a decorative touch to your board.
Before serving, consider refrigerating or freezing your slate board to keep your cheese cold. This is especially useful if you are serving soft cheeses that can become messy at room temperature. However, remember to remove the slate board from the freezer in time so that your cheeses can be served at the optimal temperature.
When assembling your cheese board, start by adding a variety of cheeses with different textures, flavours, and colours. Cut the cheeses into blocks, wedges, squares, and circles to add character. Nami, the expert behind the popular blog Just One Cookbook, recommends arranging the cheeses in a clockwise direction based on texture.
Next, add some salty foods such as salami, speck, olives, and nuts. Follow this with sweet items such as fresh and dried fruits. Crackers and bread are essential, providing a variety of side items for your guests to choose from. Don't forget to include appropriate knives and spreaders.
To make your cheese board truly stand out, add some condiments and spreads such as fig jam, fruit preserves, honey, and mustard. These will enhance the flavour of your cheeses and other items on the board. And of course, as Nami highly suggests, don't forget the wine!
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Cheese and food pairings
A slate cheese board is a great way to display and serve cheese and its accompaniments. You can write directly on the slate with dust-free soapstone chalk to label the different cheeses and their pairings. To elevate your slate cheese board, you can refrigerate the slate to keep the cheese cold.
- Sharp cheddar cheese is a versatile option for a cheese board. This hard cheese can be cut into slices or cubes. You can pair it with fruits like strawberries and apples, tangy mustards, pickles, and salami. For a drink, a bold wine like Malbec or Cabernet Sauvignon is a good match.
- Pecorino Romano is a hard, Italian sheep's milk cheese that is often shredded on pasta but can also be served on a charcuterie board. It pairs well with salty meats like salami or soppressata.
- Manchego, a Spanish sheep's milk cheese, has a firm texture and a rich, salty-sweet flavor. It can be served in a large wedge or thin, triangular slices, and paired with salty meats such as salami, prosciutto, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and almonds. A fruit-forward red wine like Malbec or Syrah, or a sparkling Cava, would go well with this cheese.
- Goat cheese is a soft, fresh cheese that can be served in a log, sliced into discs, or whipped into a spread. Pair it with apricots and figs, pepperoni, and Marcona almonds. A crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a bubbly rosé will complement its mild flavor.
- Gorgonzola is an Italian cow's milk cheese with a blue marble appearance. It has a soft, crumbly texture and a robust flavor. This cheese pairs well with sweeter items like grapes, honey, almonds, and pistachios. For a drink, a sweet Riesling, Moscato, or a bold port will match its strong flavor.
- Parmigiano-Reggiano, often used as a pizza or pasta topping, has a hard, dry texture and a sharp flavor that makes it a great addition to a cheese board.
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Writing on the slate
When using a slate cheeseboard, you can write directly on the slate with chalk to label the different types of cheese. This is a great way to avoid using tacky tent cards or piercing valuable cheese with a toothpick. You can use dust-free soapstone chalk, which is food-safe and primarily made of magnesium. Soapstone does not create dust and is cut directly from larger pieces of stone. It comes in various shapes, including round, rectangle, and square. You can also use white food-safe chalk to doodle cheese names or messages on your dark slate board.
It is important to note that not all slate products are dishwasher-safe, and those that have not been sealed with mineral oil may stain when oily or strongly acidic foods are served on them. For example, raw slate may become darkened where soft cheese is served on it, and it can be difficult to remove or hide this stain with later sealing. To avoid staining, always hand-wash your slate cheeseboard with a soapy sponge, rinse it thoroughly, and dry it with a soft, lint-free cloth.
If you want to season your slate cheeseboard, start by ensuring it is clean and completely dry. Apply a few drops of food-grade mineral oil to the surface and wipe it down with a soft, lint-free cloth to evenly distribute a very thin layer of oil all over the board. Allow the slate to absorb the oil for at least overnight or up to a couple of days before using it. Buff away any excess oil, then store your slate in a safe place. With just a couple of applications of mineral oil each year, your slate cheeseboard will have a lustrous finish and a longer life.
You can also refrigerate or freeze your slate cheeseboard before serving to keep your cheese cold. However, if you plan to store it in the freezer, be aware that you may need to make room, especially if you have other items taking up space, such as raw meat. Some people prefer to use food-grade mineral oil to condition their slate cheeseboards, as olive oil can become rancid and leave a layer of rancid oil on the board.
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Cleaning and maintenance
Slate cheese boards are easy to clean and non-porous, meaning they won't absorb flavours, colours, or bacteria from food. With proper care and maintenance, they can last for years.
Firstly, it is important to note that slate cheese boards are not dishwasher-safe, so they should be hand-washed only. Wash the board with a soapy sponge, rinse it with water, and then dry it thoroughly with a cloth. You can also use a wet cloth to wipe away any chalk markings.
To ensure your slate cheese board stays in good condition, it is recommended to treat it with food-grade mineral oil. This will give the slate a lustrous finish and prolong its life. Before applying the mineral oil, make sure the slate is clean and completely dry. Apply a few drops of the oil to the surface and then wipe it down with a soft, lint-free cloth so that a thin layer of oil is evenly distributed. Allow the slate to absorb the oil for at least overnight, or up to a couple of days, before buffing away any excess and storing the slate in a safe place. Repeat this process every six months or so to keep your slate cheese board in optimal condition.
It is worth noting that olive oil should not be used in place of food-grade mineral oil, as olive oil can turn rancid and leave a layer of rancid oil on the board. Additionally, be sure to avoid bumping or dropping your slate cheese board, as this can cause it to chip or shatter.
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Display and serving
Slate cheeseboards are an attractive and functional way to display and serve cheese. Before using a slate cheeseboard, it is important to ensure it is clean and dry. Slate cheeseboards can be seasoned with food-grade mineral oil to protect them and keep them in good condition. This process involves applying a few drops of oil to the surface, wiping it down with a soft cloth, and allowing the slate to absorb the oil overnight before buffing away any excess. You can also keep your slate cheeseboard in the refrigerator or freezer to keep cheese cool.
When plating a slate cheeseboard, it is recommended to start with a variety of cheeses, cut into different shapes and arranged in a clockwise direction based on texture. A dark slate board provides a nice contrast to pale cheeses and crackers. You can also write directly on the slate with food-safe chalk to label the cheeses or add a message. Be sure to include a selection of salty foods such as salami, speck, olives, and nuts, as well as sweet items like fresh and dried fruit. Crackers, bread, and condiments such as fig jam, honey, and mustard will round out your cheeseboard and provide a variety of flavour combinations for your guests. Don't forget to serve your cheeses at room temperature with appropriate knives and spreaders, and a glass of wine!
Slate cheeseboards are lightweight and easy to clean. They can be hand-washed with a soapy sponge and dried thoroughly. Some slate cheeseboards are also dishwasher-safe, even under sterilizing settings. However, it is important to avoid dropping or bumping slate cheeseboards, as they can chip or shatter. With proper care and maintenance, a slate cheeseboard can last for years.
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Frequently asked questions
Before seasoning your slate board, make sure it is clean and completely dry. Apply a few drops of food-grade mineral oil to the surface, then wipe it down with a soft, lint-free cloth. Allow the slate to absorb the oil for a day or two, or at least overnight, before buffing away any excess.
In addition to cheese, you can add salty foods such as salami, speck, olives, and nuts. You should also include some sweet items, such as fresh and dried fruit. Crackers and bread are also a must. To make your cheese board stand out, add some condiments and spreads like fig jam, fruit preserves, honey, and mustard. Don't forget to serve your cheeses at room temperature, with appropriate knives and spreaders, and a glass of wine!
Slate serving boards are easy to clean and non-porous, meaning they won't absorb flavours, colours, or bacteria from food. With proper care and maintenance, they can last for years. Avoid bumping or dropping your slate board, as it may chip or shatter. Hand-wash the board with a soapy sponge, rinse, and dry thoroughly. You can also refrigerate or freeze your slate board to keep your food cool.
