Are cheese and crackers in their own food group on the food pyramid? Or is it now a plate? Well, if they were I would be killing it in that category.
I love cheese. And I love everything that pairs well with cheese- crackers, baguettes, fruit, wine, crudite’…I could go on and on. The fact of the matter is, a cheese board is a super functional meal. I love food that is flexible for all guests. A board of goodies will give a little something special for everyone. With that in mind, this is how I build a board.
Start with the board. The bigger the better for a large gathering. There is a time and place for a petite board with two cheeses, one strain of grapes, and a line of crackers. I just love the impact of a large board for a hearty appetizer or a light meal. My 5 girlfriends and I knocked out most of this board at our last girl’s night. It was hard work and worth every bite!
The cheese board must start with a great foundation. The board pictured above is from one of my favorite design stores, Nell Hills in Kansas City. My friend’s there had to ship it to me in Texas because I couldn’t take it on the plane- it was that big! Lol! It was worth it, girls- I use it all of the time!
Here are a few great foundations for a beautiful cheese board.
Now let’s talk feature foods. Good cheese is a must. Think about your audience- kids, adults, sophisticated palates or casual connoisseurs. Each category demands a different type of cheese. Three cheeses are a good goal. One that is mild and easy- I would suggest white cheddar. One that is soft- I suggest brie or honey goat cheese. One that is a show stopper or something a little more unusual- maybe a gouda or dried apricot or cranberry cheddar. These options seem to be “safe” from my experience and loved by most. You could get a little creative and roll your goat cheese in lemon rinds and herbs. There are many cheese options-that is the blessing- give your guests options.
Next add something crunchy to the board. Some ideas that have been a hit for me have been peppered cashews, sugared almonds, roasted almonds and walnuts.
Why not a baguette slice or a variety of crackers? The cheese often needs a vehicle to get into our mouths 🙂 They are perfect for that! Gluten free crackers are excellent- be sure to have some of those on your board for those that are gluten free.
Depending on the next courses offered, you may want to add some prosciutto or pepperoni or salami. I had some Keto friends in the house so bacon was the protein of choice.
Next add something with a little tang- pickles or olives are a nice compliment.
Last, you need something refreshing to eat in between. Fruit is your answer! It is a great palate cleanser in between strong flavored cheeses. Grapes are a classic. Champagne grapes are featured in this photo. Aren’t they tiny and adorable? And they taste great too!
As you put the items on the board start with the show stopper or largest item and place it in the middle. Add complimentary items around it such as crackers or necessary condiments- Check out that Truffle Salt on the board pictured above. It is the perfect topping for the Roasted Red Pepper Baguette and Lettuce Bites featured in the middle. You must get the recipe for those! Fresh honeycomb is a show stopping favorite to top a slice of cheese and fig preserves are fabulous too!
Then continue to build around the center. Anchor the ends with items that provide balance from corner to corner. Mirroring piles or neatly placed lines of crackers offer a really pleasing display.
Once you have filled the board with delicious treats make sure it is a bit organized one last time. It is best to fill the board no matter the size. So if it is small, 2-3 items will fill the board and for a large board as shown, many items fill the board. Now it is time to add some fresh herbs to as a final embellishment. I love to use rosemary or time from my garden. Parsley is great too and is super affordable at the grocery store.
After prepping the board with all of the food and complimentary toppings place appropriate utensils by items that need them. If you don’t own any cheese board utensils, investing in one would be a great idea. It is helpful to cut several cheeses and offer forks or toothpicks that guests can easily grab whatever looks appetizing to them. Here are a few great options.
Both the boards and utensils make great gifts! A cheese board seems to ALWAYS be a welcomed treat for my kids and friends alike! I love that each board of goodies is unique and special every single time! Boards also bring your guests together. They will often comment and ask what items are and what combination of things went best together. They keep them coming back to the board to visit and sample. I hope you will make a board next as you gather with your people and be sure to tag your board with the #hostingwhatmatters hashtag on Instagram.
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I'm a Southern girl who loves a good party, a house full of laughter, and a porch swing full of friends and family. I blog about how to host in a way that matters. Curious what I mean by that? CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND READ MY STORY.
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