Cheese And Crackers: Building The Perfect Platter

A cheese and crackers platter is a classic snack with endless fun variations. It's a simple, nutritious, and effortless appetizer that can be customised in many ways. When creating a cheese platter, it's best to provide a variety of cheeses with different textures and milk sources, such as cow, goat, and sheep cheese. In addition to cheese, a well-rounded platter may include cured meats, crackers or bread, fruits, nuts, dips, and spreads.

Choose a variety of cheeses

When it comes to choosing the cheese for your platter, variety is key. Opt for a mix of soft and hard cheeses, as well as different textures and milk types (cow, goat, and sheep). You can also include some in-between cheeses, like semi-soft varieties (Fontina, Havarti, and Muenster). If you're feeling adventurous, throw in some offbeat cheeses to discover new favourites.

A good rule of thumb is to include at least three types of cheese: hard, soft, and blue. For hard and semi-hard cheeses, go for options like Swiss, cheddar, Parmesan, and Gruyère. Soft cheese choices include goat cheese, Camembert, chèvre, and Brie. Blue cheese options include Gorgonzola, Roquefort, and Stilton.

If you want to add some extra flair, dress up your selection with cheese balls or goat cheese logs rolled in fresh herbs, nuts, or spices. You can also include warm cheese, such as Halloumi, which is always a hit.

When determining quantities, consider the intensity of the flavours. You'll need smaller amounts of strong-flavoured cheeses like goat and blue cheese, as guests tend to take less. On the other hand, invest in larger amounts of mild cheeses like cheddar and Swiss, as their flavours are not as intense and they are popular among most people.

• Sharp white cheddar: Kerrygold's reserve cheddar is a great option.
• Goat cheese: Try a basic log or the aged goat cheeses from Vermont Creamery.
• Soft blue cheese or gorgonzola.
• Burrata or fresh mozzarella: Fresh mozzarella balls go well with persimmon slices.
• Aged cheddar: A classic, crowd-pleasing option, especially if kids will be part of the gathering.
• Parmesan (Parmigiano-Reggiano): Slivers of this salty, sharp, nutty cheese add a unique touch.
• Pepper Jack cheese: A creamy Monterey jack with added peppers for a spicy kick.
• Gouda: Smoked gouda has a creamy, sweet interior and a rich, unique flavour.
• Gruyere: This Swiss cheese has a distinct flavour and pairs well with dark chocolate, apples, plums, cherries, and nuts.
• Manchego cheese: A firm, sheep's milk cheese from Spain with a rich, lightly nutty taste.
• Asiago cheese: A very hard, strong-flavoured cheese that is similar to a cross between Parmesan and sharp cheddar.
• Boursin/Gourney: A flavoured spreadable cheese that comes in options like Garlic & Herb or Shallot & Chive.

Select complementary fruits

Selecting complementary fruits for your cheese and crackers platter is essential for creating a delicious and visually appealing spread. Here are some tips and suggestions for choosing the perfect fruits:

• Think seasonally! In winter, opt for sliced persimmons, pears, apples, and pomegranate quarters, along with dried fruits like apricots or cherries. During summer, berries and stone fruits like plums or cherries are excellent choices.
• Apples: Thinly sliced apples such as Envy, Pink Lady, Opal, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Fuji, or Gala pair well with most cheeses, especially when paired with fig jam or honey.
• Pears: Bosc, D'Anjou, Bartlett, or Comice pears go well with various cheeses, especially brie and Gouda.
• Persimmons: Fuyu persimmons have a sweet and mild flavour and pair well with soft cheeses like goat cheese, Burrata, or Camembert. They also add a beautiful pop of orange colour to your platter.
• Berries: Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries complement a variety of cheeses. They go especially well with feta, brie, and goat cheese.
• Grapes: Juicy, crunchy grapes are a classic choice. Red or green grapes can be easily grabbed off the platter and pair well with Gouda.
• Apricots: Fresh apricots are great for summer, while dried apricots are a delicious option year-round. They pair well with goat cheese and blue cheese.
• Plums: Sweet and salty plums complement strong, salty cheeses like Manchego or Fontina, as well as brie.
• Pomegranates: These sweet-tart fruits add a burst of juice and go well with goat cheese, feta, or Swiss cheese. Segmenting the pomegranate makes for a beautiful presentation.
• Dates: Super sweet dates pair well with stronger cheeses like goat cheese.
• Cherries: Fresh or dried cherries are a classic combination with brie, camembert, or goat cheese.
• Figs: Fresh or dried figs are a wonderful addition to your platter. They pair well with Manchego cheese and brie.
• Oranges and Blood Oranges: Blood oranges, in particular, make a striking presentation and taste delightful with brie.

When selecting fruits for your cheese and crackers platter, aim for a mix of fresh and dried options to add variety in terms of taste and texture. Choose fruits that are in season and complement the cheeses you have selected. Don't be afraid to experiment and find unique combinations that you and your guests will enjoy!

Add some cured meats

Cured meats are a great addition to a cheese and cracker platter. Salami, prosciutto, soppressata, and deli meats are all good options. You can add them to your platter in a variety of ways. For example, you can simply stack them, fan them out in a line or half-circle, or fold them into fun shapes. Folding larger, thin, circular pieces of meat into triangles or cones can be a great way to add visual interest and save space on your platter. For thinner meats like prosciutto, try holding each piece vertically above the platter and then gently lowering it down, twisting your hand slightly as you go to create some folds and keep it contained.

If you're using sausage, cut it on a bias and fan out the pieces in a row. You can also add cured meats like pepperoni, or summer sausage. These will provide a nice contrast to the sweetness of the fruit and other elements on your platter.

When adding cured meats to your cheese and cracker platter, consider the amount of space you have available. If you're working with a smaller platter, you may need to fold or roll the meats to make the most of the space. On the other hand, if you have a larger platter, you can fan out the meats or arrange them in a simple stack.

In terms of quantity, aim for 1-2 varieties of cured meats. This will provide a nice balance to the other elements on your platter. Remember, the key to a great cheese and cracker platter is variety, so don't be afraid to experiment with different types of cured meats and arrangement techniques to find what works best for you.

Include crackers and bread

When it comes to crackers and bread, you have a lot of options to choose from. You can go for a variety of shapes and textures, such as buttery crackers, seedy crackers, water crackers, multigrain crackers, butter crackers, or even breadsticks and crunchy breadsticks.

If you want to include bread, a nice French baguette sliced into thin slices is always a good choice. You can also toast the baguette slices with some salt and pepper to make crostini. Other options include a whole wheat baguette, rolls, or toasted slices of bread.

If you want to get creative, you can even make your own homemade crostini. Just slice a baguette, drizzle it with olive oil, and bake it in the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for a few minutes until lightly browned.

When arranging your cheese and cracker tray, you can group similar ingredients together or place larger items first and fill in the smaller items later. For example, you can start by arranging the crackers or bread slices on the platter, and then add the cheese slices or cubes.

Don't be afraid to heap everything together and let the ingredients touch to create a bountiful look. You can also add in some nuts, fresh herbs, or fruits to fill any small spaces.

If you're making a large platter, you might want to include multiple varieties of crackers and bread to add interest and ensure your guests have plenty of options to choose from.

Don't forget the extras

When creating a cheese and crackers platter, it's easy to get carried away with the variety of cheeses, crackers, and fruits available. However, don't forget to include some extra touches that will take your platter to the next level. Here are some ideas to elevate your cheese and crackers:

• Condiments and Spreads: Include some condiments and spreads such as chutney, mustard, honey, or fruit preserves. These additions will provide a sweet or savoury contrast to the cheese and crackers. Pepper jellies can add a hint of spice to your platter.
• Nuts: Roasted and salted nuts such as cashews, almonds, macadamia nuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, and walnuts will add some crunch and flavour to your platter. You can also use candied or spiced nuts for an extra kick.
• Olives and Pickles: Head to the deli section of your grocery store and pick up a variety of olives like pimento-stuffed green olives or kalamata olives. Cornichons, which are tiny tart French pickles, will also add a tangy touch to your platter.
• Meats: Cured meats like salami, pepperoni, prosciutto, or summer sausage will provide a savoury contrast to the sweetness of the fruit. If you want to create a full charcuterie board, add some grainy mustards, dried fruits, and small cookies or candies.
• Bread: Include some sliced crusty bread or toasted baguette alongside your crackers. You can also offer breadsticks or crunchy breadsticks for variety.
• Dark Chocolate: Adding some squares of dark chocolate to your platter will surprise your guests and provide a delicious contrast to the salty cheeses.
• Fresh Herbs: Garnish your platter with some fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme. These will not only add colour and flavour but will also make your platter look extra special.
• Drinks: Offer your guests some drinks to pair with the cheese and crackers. Wine and cheese are a classic combination. Try to match the intensity of the wine with the cheese, such as pairing a strong Cabernet Sauvignon with aged cheddar or Gouda.

Frequently asked questions