As much as it pains us to say, summer is nearly officially over, which means it’s time to go into party planning mode. Fall is a great time to enjoy the changing seasons and start cozying up to a warm fire with books and blankets in tow, but it’s also the busiest social schedule for many people. And as crazy as it may seem, it’s a good time to start getting prepared for all of the family and friend events that the holidays bring. So today, we’re going to talk about a party appetizer that’s almost always served at a party: the cheese platter.
Now, what you may not know is that to really debut a cheese platter that will get people talking, you need to know what you’re doing. There’s all sorts of things you should think about before choosing some cheese and tossing it on a cheese board. This is an art, and so it should be treated as such. So before you rush to put together a cheese board for your next party, try these cheese platter ideas to help give you a little inspiration.
1. Serve a Small Variety
Three is the minimum and more than five is too many options. Most people like to serve 3-5 different varieties of cheese for guests to try. The key here is to offer variety, but not overwhelm guests with too many choices. The general rule of thumb when it comes to cheese platter ideas is to go with cheeses that hit the following flavor profiles: something creamy (like brie); something sharp (like sharp cheddar); something strong and unique (read: funky, like a Stilton or camembert); something aged and nutty (like a Danbo or Gouda); and something a bit fresher (like dill crusted goat cheese).
2. Always Add a Few Non-Cheese Items
Obviously, any cheese platter isn’t going to be complete until you have some accoutrements. Add 1-2 varieties of crackers or mini toast to pair with the cheeses. It’s also a good idea to accompany the cheese platter with some fruits, nuts, or meat like prosciutto. These items are small enough to snack on individually, and they also pair well with cheese. Another option is to forgo the fruit for a chutney or fruit spread that will pair well with one or more of the cheese. We like almonds and pistachios, and can never turn down a good fruit paste. For crackers, choose something plain. You don’t want to overwhelm the flavor and aroma of the cheese, so choose crackers and breads that are simple and don’t have other flavor profiles that will complicate the centerpiece: the fromage.
3. Cheese Should be Served at Room Temp
Obviously, cheese needs to be stored in the fridge if you’re preparing it hours in advance. But served correctly, a cheese platter should be at room temperature. Taking the cheese out of the refrigerator an hour before guests arrive or before you’re serving it should give the cheese enough time to warm up and be in perfect condition for eating.
4. Plate Cheeses and Breads Separately
A lot of times when people are arranging their cheese platters, everything (from cheese to dried fruit to mini toast) gets shoved onto the cheese board, which makes it difficult to cut cheese slices or pick anything up without accidentally bumping into something else. A better idea is to serve mini toast, bread, or crackers in a simple basket lined with a cloth (the same as you’d get when you receive a bread basket at a restaurant). Arrange the cheeses on the platter or cheese board far enough from each other so that you don’t have to contort your arm whenever you want to cut a slice of one. Scatter the dried fruit, nuts, and other accompaniments around the remainder of the board.
5. Separate Utensils for Separate Cheeses
This tip is kind of obvious, but you’d be surprised how often it gets overlooked. If you’ve followed our earlier advice about choosing a wide variety of cheese with varying flavors, then you’ll understand why using the same knife to cut a Stilton to cut and spread the goat cheese just isn’t going to work. It’s going to mix flavors and the more pungent cheeses are going to completely overwhelm the milder flavors. So, offer a separate knife of cheese knife for each cheese you plate, so that each flavor stays separate and you don’t end up intermingling the cheeses.
What are your favorite cheese platter ideas? Do you prefer to get wild and serve exotic cheeses or do you like to stick to the basics (brie, goat cheese, and cheddar)? Share your ideas with us in the comments and let us know how YOU create your holiday cheese boards!
