Randy Chandler
Meat and cheese trays are a great appetizer and an easy way to entertain guests at parties, BBQs, or family gatherings. They are simple to prepare, requiring no cooking or baking, and can be made ahead of time. The key to a good meat and cheese tray is variety, with a mix of colours, flavours, and textures. This includes different types of meats and cheeses, as well as crackers, fruits, nuts, dips, and pickled relishes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of meat varieties | 3-4 |
| Number of cheese varieties | 3 |
| Types of meat | Salami, prosciutto, summer sausage, peppered salami, Black Forest ham, smoked turkey, roast beef, deli meats |
| Types of cheese | Cheddar, gouda, pepper jack, goat cheese, fresh mozzarella, manchego |
| Additional items | Crackers, nuts, fruits (fresh or dried), dips, relishes, olives, pickles, chutney, preserves, chocolate |
| Presentation | Stacked, rolled, folded, fanned |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Meat and cheese tray presentation
Meat and cheese trays are a great appetizer and an easy way to entertain guests at a party, family gathering, or holiday get-together. They can be made ahead of time and require very little preparation, making them a stress-free option for hosts. Here are some tips for putting together a delicious and visually appealing meat and cheese tray:
Selecting the Meats and Cheeses:
Variety is key when it comes to choosing your meats and cheeses. Aim for a mix of flavors, textures, and colors to make your tray more interesting. For meats, consider options like summer sausage, peppered salami, Black Forest ham, smoked turkey, roast beef, or deli meats like salami and prosciutto. If you're using sausages, slice them thinly as they can be chewy. For cheeses, try Gouda, Cheddar, Pepper Jack, goat cheese, fresh mozzarella, Manchego, or a spreadable herb cheese.
Preparing the Meats and Cheeses:
How you present the meats and cheeses on the tray can make a big difference in both appearance and functionality. If using sliced meats, you can either roll them up tightly or fold them in an accordion style, which makes it easier for guests to use the meat for sandwiches. Stack the meat in a pyramid shape, with four folds or rolls on the bottom and one on top. For cheeses, ask for sandwich-sized slices and cut them diagonally to create stacks of triangles. Then, separate the slices to create a fan effect, placing each fan in a different direction on the tray.
Adding Extras:
While meats and cheeses are the stars of the tray, adding some extras can round out the flavors and make your tray more visually appealing. Consider including fresh or dried fruits like grapes, cherries, or watermelon, as well as mixed nuts, crackers, and spreads like chutney or herb cheese. Pickled relishes like olives or pickles are also a great addition, and don't forget to provide toothpicks and small spoons for your guests' convenience.
Presentation Tips:
When assembling the tray, start with the meats and cheeses as the focal points. Place the cheeses on the platter first, then add the meats around them. If using sliced sausages, arrange them in a fish scale pattern. Use crackers to fill in any gaps. If you're using a wooden board, consider spreading a layer of parchment paper underneath to prevent grease stains. You can also use small bowls or plates to hold wet or messy ingredients like dips, olives, or jams separately.
Best Cheeses for French Onion Soup
You may want to see also
How to slice meats and cheeses
Meat and cheese trays are a great appetizer and an easy way to entertain your guests. Here is a guide on how to slice meats and cheeses to make a delicious and elegant platter:
Slicing Meats
When it comes to slicing meats, variety is key. Cured meats are the star of a charcuterie board, and you can include a mix of sliced and uncut meats. If your meat is in a log, thinly slice it into rounds. For sausages, slice them thinly as they can be chewy. For deli meats, ask your local deli to slice them as they would a typical "sandwich slice". You can also ask for about ten slices of each kind of meat. If the meats are pre-sliced, separate the slices and roll or fan them across the board for easy snacking. For a more budget-friendly option, consider meats like Black Forest Ham, Smoked Turkey, or Roast Beef.
Slicing Cheeses
For cheeses, aim for a variety of colours, flavours, and textures. If your cheese is in brick or ball form, cut it into small cubes. You can ask for about eight "sandwich-sized" slices for each kind of cheese. Stack the slices and then slice them all diagonally to create stacks of triangles. Separate the slices a little to create a "fan effect" and place each fan in a different direction on the tray. If you are placing larger pieces of cheese, provide a different knife for each kind.
Presentation
When assembling your tray, start with the meats and cheeses as the stars of the platter. Place the meats around the cheeses, and if using sliced sausages, arrange them in a fish-scale pattern. Fill in any gaps with crackers that are not too flavourful, like Saltines or Stone Wheat crackers. Add some fresh or dried fruits, nuts, and pickled relishes like olives or pickles for a well-rounded platter.
Green Bean Casserole: To Cheese or Not to Cheese?
You may want to see also
Choosing the right vessel
When choosing your vessel, it's important to consider the size of your gathering and the amount of food you will need to serve. For example, if you are hosting a party with six guests, plan on serving 12-15 ounces of meat and 10 ounces of cheese. Choose a vessel that will comfortably hold all your ingredients, with some extra space for garnishes and decorations.
In addition to the main vessel, you will also need some smaller vessels to hold wet or messy ingredients that you want to keep separate. Pick a few small bowls, plates, or jars for items like jams, olives, dips, pickles, mustard, and other condiments. These smaller vessels add interest and variety to your meat and cheese tray, and they also help to keep the main vessel tidy and prevent mess.
Lastly, consider the overall presentation and aesthetic you wish to achieve. For a rustic or natural look, wooden or slate boards are ideal. For a more modern or minimalist look, metal or ceramic vessels might be a better choice. You can also add decorations to your vessel, such as fresh herbs or edible flowers, to enhance the visual appeal and tie the colour palette together.
The Mystery of Sawdust in Shredded Cheese
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Extras to include
When creating a meat and cheese tray, you can include a variety of extras to enhance the flavours and textures of the main ingredients. Here are some suggestions for additional items to make your tray more interesting and delicious:
- Fruits: Fresh or dried fruits can add a burst of sweetness and colour to your tray. Cherries, watermelon, grapes, and berries are great choices, especially during the summer when they are in season.
- Vegetables: Cucumbers, bell peppers, and tomatoes can provide a refreshing crunch and a pop of colour. Pickling your own vegetables, such as cucumbers or carrots, can also add a tangy twist to your tray.
- Nuts: Include a variety of nuts such as Marcona almonds, pecans, or walnuts. These can be paired with the cheeses or simply enjoyed on their own.
- Spreads and dips: Offer spreads like a herb cheese spread or goat cheese. Chutneys or preserves, such as jam or honey, can also add a sweet contrast to the savoury meats and cheeses.
- Pickled relishes: Small bowls of pickles, olives, or other brined vegetables can provide a tangy and savoury element to the tray.
- Crackers: While crackers are often used as a base for the meats and cheeses, choosing neutral-flavoured crackers can help showcase the flavours of your main ingredients.
- Seasonings: Simple seasonings like salt and pepper can enhance the flavours of your tray. For a more elegant presentation, use a small bowl or dish for salt, such as pink Himalayan salt.
- Oils: A good quality olive oil can be drizzled over the ingredients or used as a dip.
Feel free to get creative and experiment with different combinations of extras to complement the meats and cheeses on your tray.
Cheese on Fish Tacos: A Culinary Adventure
You may want to see also
How much to serve
The amount of food you should serve on a meat and cheese tray depends on how many people you are serving and whether you are serving other dishes.
If the meat and cheese tray is one of several appetizers, plan for 1 to 2 ounces of meat and 1 ounce of cheese per person. If it is the only dish, expect each guest to consume 2 to 3 ounces of meat and 1 to 3 ounces of cheese. For a party with six guests, plan on 12-15 ounces of meats and 10 ounces of cheeses. If you are serving sandwiches, plan for 0.15 pounds of meat and 0.09 pounds of cheese per person. This means that 1 pound of thinly sliced deli meat will serve 6.5 people, and 1 pound of thin sliced cheese will feed 12.5 people.
When it comes to variety, it is customary to choose three types of cheeses for your platter. However, you can also choose to offer a larger variety of cheeses and meats. For example, you could choose to serve a combination of any three meats and any three cheeses, or you could serve a variety of deli meats such as ham, turkey, and roast beef, along with different types of salami or pepperoni.
The way you present the meat on the tray can also impact how much you need. For example, you can stack the meat, roll each slice up and stack them, or fold the meat like an accordion.
The Perfect Pulled Pork: To Cheese or Not to Cheese?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A meat and cheese tray is a simple assortment of meats, cheeses, and crackers that can be served as an appetizer or a light meal. It's a great option for entertaining as it's easy to prepare and there's no cooking involved.
You can choose from a variety of meats such as cured meats like salami and prosciutto, Italian meats such as peppered salami and Genoa salami, or deli meats like Black Forest ham and roast beef.
It's recommended to choose three types of cheeses with different textures and flavours. Some options include Gouda, cheddar, goat cheese, fresh mozzarella, and Manchego cheese.
You can add fresh or dried fruits, nuts, crackers, dips, pickled relishes, olives, and even chocolates. These additional ingredients complement the meats and cheeses and make the tray more visually appealing.
Start by placing the two most important ingredients, cured meats and cheeses, on the tray. Then, fill in the gaps with crackers or other filler items. If using sliced meats, you can roll or fan them out for easy snacking. Arrange the remaining ingredients in a way that looks appealing, considering colours and textures.
