Not all cheese is created equal. But all cheese can be classified as a finer thing in life, because, well, who doesn’t love cheese? Sorry vegans, you’re missing out. And what gets people *really* going quite like seeing someone bring out a cheese board? Nothing. So here’s a guide to creating a spectacular cheese board that’s sure to impress.
The Basics
Prepare for 2 oz. of cheese per person.
3 is a good number to start with. Each cheese should be made with a different type of milk – sheep, cow, goat’s milk, or all the same:
- 1 soft and creamy cheese (think brie or camembert)
- 1 firm cheese (perhaps a cheddar or gouda)
- 1 hard cheese (like parmigiano-reggiano)
Never crowd the plate. Serve your selection on one or two shared platters – or even an individual plate per guest.
Have one knife per cheese.
Always include plain bread (baguette, sourdough, etc.) or neutral crackers in a separate basket. You can also pick a bread with walnuts, or dried fruit or olives, which also pair well with cheese.
The Aperitif Cheese Plate
Before dinner you’ll want to stick to lighter cheeses (herb-coated goat cheese, buffalo mozzarella, etc.) with savory sides, such as:
- olives
- prosciutto
- cornichons
- walnuts
- tomato and caramelized onion jam, or fig chutney
The Dessert Cheese Plate
Ending on a full-flavored note requires rich cheeses (manchego, cheddar, gouda, blue) and sweet treats, like:
- marcona almonds (toss with oil and salt if you would like)
- fig or raspberry jam
- honey or real maple syrup
- dried or slices of fresh fruit (pears, figs or rasperries)
Life is *gouda*, especially when you have a cheese plate in front of you.
