Lexi Webster
A cheese platter is a versatile dish that can be served at any event, from a kids' play date to a formal dinner. It is a simple dish that can be made in about 10-15 minutes and is a great way to impress your guests. The main attraction of a cheese platter is, of course, the cheese, but what else should you include to elevate your platter?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cheeses | 2-5 types, including a mix of hard and soft cheeses |
| Types of cheese | Cheddar, Romano, Gouda, Gruyere, Brie, Camembert, Blue Cheese, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Grana Padano, Taleggio, Mozzarella, Feta, Goat Cheese, Manchego, Edam |
| Meat | Cured meats such as salami, prosciutto, chorizo, mortadella, jamon, dried sausages |
| Crackers/Bread | Water crackers, breadsticks, baguette, crostini, wafers, crisps |
| Fruits | Fresh seasonal fruits like pears, apples, pomegranate, grapes, figs, persimmons, dried fruits, quince, dates, apricots, cherries, cranberries |
| Other foods | Nuts, olives, dark chocolate, dips, pickles, cornichon |
| Serving board | Wooden board, round or rectangular, food-safe, size depending on the number of people |
| Presentation | Spread out the cheese, fill gaps with other foods, decorate with herbs like rosemary and sage |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing a serving board
When it comes to choosing a serving board for your cheese platter, there are a few things to consider. The first is the size of your board. You'll want to make sure you have enough space to comfortably fit all of your chosen cheeses and accompaniments. A board that is too small will look crowded and be impractical, while a board that is too large may make your selection look sparse. As a general rule, allow for around 20cm of board space per cheese, and a little extra for your crackers, fruits, and other accompaniments.
The shape of the board is also important. A rectangular board is a classic choice and can easily be adapted to fit a variety of settings and occasions. A circular or oval board can add a modern or whimsical touch to your platter and often provides a natural focal point for your display. If you're feeling creative, you could even opt for a unique shape, such as a hexagon or a wave-shaped board, to really make your cheese platter stand out.
The material of your serving board is another key consideration. Wooden boards are a popular choice as they are sturdy, durable, and often have a natural beauty that adds to the aesthetic of your platter. Look for hardwoods such as oak, walnut, or maple, which are less porous and better at resisting bacteria. You can also find wooden boards in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit your needs. Another option is a slate board, which provides a sleek and modern look. Slate boards are also practical as they are non-porous and easy to clean, ensuring your board always looks its best. Finally, you may opt for a marble board, which provides a luxurious and elegant touch to your cheese platter. Marble is naturally cool, making it ideal for serving soft cheeses that can be difficult to cut and serve at room temperature.
Lastly, consider the design and colour of your serving board. A simple, natural wood grain board will let your cheeses take centre stage and can be easily adapted to suit any occasion. A board with a colourful or intricate design can add a touch of playfulness or elegance to your platter, depending on the style you choose. Consider the overall look you are trying to achieve and select a board that complements your chosen cheeses and accompaniments.
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Selecting the cheeses
When selecting the cheeses for your platter, variety is key. A good rule of thumb is to choose between three and five types of cheese, with a mix of hard and soft cheeses. This can include popular hard cheeses such as cheddar, romano, gouda, gruyere, and parmigiano-reggiano, and soft cheeses like brie, camembert, and goat cheese. If you're feeling adventurous, include a tangy blue cheese or the stinky-but-tasty Taleggio. You could also bake or marinate one of your cheeses, such as baked brie en croute or marinated mozzarella, to create a show-stopping centrepiece.
When choosing your cheeses, aim for a variety of colours, shapes, and flavours. Avoid selecting cheeses with the same texture, and consider picking one from each cheese-bearing animal (cow, sheep, and goat). If you're serving just two cheeses, opt for one hard and one soft variety, and ensure they complement each other well.
If you're unsure what to choose, ask your local cheesemonger for recommendations. They can suggest something to "surprise and delight" your guests, such as fudge-like Norwegian brown cheese, dill Havarti, or even chocolate cheese.
Lastly, consider how you'll be serving the cheese. For a smooth, creamy cheese, use a wire to cut it, as this will give you a cleaner cut than a knife. For harder, granular cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano, a knife is fine, as you want to highlight the craggy chunks.
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Adding cured meats
Cured meats are a great way to add flavour and protein to your cheese platter. They are the star of any charcuterie board, so be sure to include a small selection of them. Begin with simple cured meats like salami, prosciutto, and chorizo. You can also add other meats like mortadella, pepperoni, or soppressata. Fold larger slices of meat into fan shapes or roll them into logs, and twirl longer pieces into piles.
If you want to get creative, customise your charcuterie offering to complement your cheese selection. For example, you could pair leaner meats like roasted turkey with a strong blue cheese, or a soft cheese like brie or goat cheese. Remember, the cheese is the main attraction, so make sure your charcuterie doesn't steal the show!
When choosing your meats, opt for high-quality deli meats. You can also include some dips to go with them, like grainy mustard, herbed sour cream, or guacamole. Olives are another great addition to a cheese platter with cured meats, providing a savoury flavour with a touch of tartness. If you want to add some sweetness, consider including dried fruits, chocolate, or honey.
Finally, don't forget to make all the foods on your platter bite-sized. This will make it easy for your guests to enjoy a variety of flavours without having to cut anything themselves. With these tips, you can create a delicious and appealing cheese platter with cured meats that your guests will love!
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Arranging crackers, fruits, and nuts
When it comes to arranging crackers, fruits, and nuts on your cheese platter, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, variety is key. Choose at least 2-3 types of crackers or bread to provide a range of textures and flavours. You can go for supermarket staples like Savoys, or fancier options like pepper and garlic wafers. Freshly sliced baguette and crostini are also great choices for larger pieces of bread. Stack the crackers towards the edges of the board to keep it looking neat and make them easily accessible.
For the fruits, opt for a mix of fresh and dried options to add colour, freshness, and sweetness to your platter. Pears, apples, grapes, and persimmons are great choices for fresh fruit. Drizzle them with lemon juice to prevent browning. Dried fruits such as cherries, cranberries, apricots, and dates are perfect for adding a tart or sweet element, especially when paired with stronger cheeses.
Nuts are a great way to fill any gaps on your platter. Create small piles of nuts in different areas of the platter to add texture and variety. You can use plain nuts or get creative with stuffed dates; make a small slit in a date, remove the pit, and stuff it with coarsely ground pistachio or desiccated coconut.
Remember to spread out your cheeses, leaving space around each type for the fruits, nuts, and crackers. This will ensure your platter looks cohesive and well-balanced.
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Making it visually appealing
The presentation of your cheese platter is key to making it visually appealing. As cheese will be the biggest item on the board, spread out 3 to 5 different types of cheese across the platter, leaving space around each for fruits, nuts, and crackers. An odd number of cheeses will also make them look nicer on the plate.
When it comes to crackers, variety is important. Choose at least 2 to 3 types and place a handful on the board, leaving the rest in a bowl nearby. Stack the crackers towards the edges of the board to keep it looking neat and make them easy to grab.
Add some colour and freshness to your cheese platter with fruits and vegetables. Pears, apples, grapes, quince, and persimmons are wonderful accompaniments that go great with any cheese. Drizzle the fruits with a splash of lemon juice to keep them from browning. You can also use dried fruits such as dates, cherries, cranberries, apricots, and figs, which pair well with stronger-flavoured cheeses.
To fill in any awkward, empty spaces, get creative with savoury and sweet foods. Olives, nuts, dark chocolate, and dips served in bowls of various sizes, shapes, and colours can bring new flavours to your platter and add a pop of colour.
Meats such as salami, prosciutto, chorizo, and mortadella can be folded or rolled into fan shapes or logs, while longer pieces can be artfully twirled into piles. You can also add a crusty bread like a baguette or olive bread.
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Frequently asked questions
A good variety of cheese is key to a great cheese platter. For a medium-sized platter, 3-5 types of cheese with different textures and flavours are recommended.
A mix of hard and soft cheeses is a good place to start. Popular hard cheeses include cheddar, romano, and gouda. For soft cheeses, brie and camembert are always a hit. You could also include a tangy blue cheese.
Cured meats, crackers, fresh fruits, and nuts are all great additions to a cheese platter. If you want to get creative, you can add olives, dried fruits, quince, or even dark chocolate.
