entertaining with cheese

I need this, it is an entertaining necessity! I stumbled across a slate cheeseboard at a winery in the Okanagan a few weeks ago, but it wasn't quite the right shape. However, this cheese board from crate & barrel is perfect! I LOVE cheese, and I love the idea of having a simple cheese platter with wine for entertaining.  And the fact that I can write on it with chalk makes it even better. 

{image}

Tips for a Fabulous Cheese Course

These are tips I follow when serving cheese to guests:

– Don't overwhelm your guests with too many cheese choices - 4 different cheeses at the most

– Make your cheese board interesting with different shaped cheeses, and different flavors. Make sure to balance out mild cheeses with some strong flavors

– Cheese should not be served cold right out of the refrigerator - remove it 30 mins to an hour before you will need it. Cheese should be at room temperature when served

–Always pair cheeses with other flavors – like bread, crackers, fruit, meat & nuts

– You can dress up more mild cheeses or intensify flavors by adding honey, chutneys, nuts or fresh herbs to the cheeses ( I love goat cheese & red pepper chutney…and goat cheese & honey…pretty much goat cheese & anything)

Great accompaniments:

proscuittos & salamis

 almonds, walnuts, pecans – spiced/candied are even better

the list of fruits is endless – sundried tomatoes, apples, pears, dried apricots, figs, strawberries, grapes, fruit chutneys

sliced baguette, artisan flatbreads, water crackers, rice crackers

There really are no “rules” per say – cheese is great no matter what! And as far as pairing cheese with wine, it’s completely personal preference. I prefer most cheese with whites like a Chardonnay or Riesling – but it’s all about personal taste.

This post has made me so hungry! Can’t wait for my next excuse to create a cheese platter!