An easy and delicious cheeseboard is a great appetizer when entertaining and they are perfect for picnics, girls’ night out, book club and Holiday parties. They are fun, versatile and a delicious addition to any gathering!
If you’ve always wanted to know how to build the perfect cheeseboard or you’re looking to refresh your charcuterie board skills this festive season then you’re in luck.
In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to make an amazing cheese platter every time and wow your guests.
Cheese
You’re going to want to buy cheese. A good rule of thumb is to include cheeses from a variety of different families. Some families include: Firm- Cheddar; Semi-soft –Gouda and Soft-Brie. Remember to take your cheese out of the fridge and let it rest for 30 minutes to an hour before serving in order to bring out their true flavor. Slice the cheese into different shapes to add visual interest. Soft cheese like brie can be served as is. For hard cheese like Cheddar and Parmesan you can cut them into slices or cubes and stack them up on the board- this makes it easier for guests to grab and go.
Charcuterie
For the meat portion of the cheeseboard- the charcuterie- go with just a couple of varieties. Our favorites to include are sliced ham, salami, pepperoni, choma or cured sausages, smoked salmon and/or bacon (on a breakfast spread). A great charcuterie board should have something to appease everyone and one of the most important tips is to make sure you have variety of meats. Get creative and don’t be afraid to step out of the box and add shredded chicken or smoky tender barbecued ribs.
Crackers and/or bread
A variety of textures is important on a cheese board and that’s where crackers and bread come in. Go with what you like grilled bread or baguette and serve it side by side with whatever crispy breadsticks, seeded crackers and naan you have on hand.
Fresh Fruits and nuts
Fresh fruits are a must have in our opinion. The best fruit for a board are the ones that are colorful, delicious and don’t turn brown. Fresh blue berries and grapes are a classic while sliced apples, strawberries, plums(when in season), kiwi, mango, watermelon cut into bite-sized pieces are a sweet and acidic way to brighten up the cheeseboard and offer a great balance to the board. Chopped nuts and seeds (pumpkin seeds) are also a great way to incorporate a little crunch and a whole lot of flavor to your board.
Spreads
When building a traditional cheese board, there’s an important piece that’s easy to overlook: the right jams, sauces and dips. It’s common to offer sweet or savory spreads with cheese such as jam, chutney and/or honey and pesto. Whatever you do, except in the case of honey, never pour your jam or chutney all over your cheese. Let your guests decide how they want to pair their spreads with their cheese. Popular sauces include BBQ sauces (if you’ll be having pork, chicken or bbq ribs), mustard and chocolate sauce.
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Now to put it all together. Pick out your cheeseboard, cutting board, a tray and even a baking sheet. Any flat surface will work. Start by arranging your pieces of cheese on your board. Arrange bread, ham, fruits and nuts around the cheeses. Garnish with fresh herbs such as mint or rosemary then serve and enjoy!
