How to make your party menu hassle-free with Cheese Platters

Making a cheese platter is one of the simplest and most interesting tasks you will be doing when dealing with your party menu.The fact that no cooking is required is the reason we say that cheese platters can make your party menu planning hassle-free.

You can make one as elaborate or as basic as you want. All you need to remember is that variety is the key to a fantastic cheese platter. You can put different cheeses, meats, olives, grilled and marinated vegetables, fresh fruit, nuts like cashews and almonds, and much more.

Trust us when we say that nothing beats a beautiful cheese platter piled high with sweet and savoury treats for uncomplicated entertaining. It adapts to the seasons and is equally suitable for summer get-togethers as it is for intimate Christmas and New Year’s parties at home.

A cheese platter could also be served at the following other event’s:

  • Holiday celebrations
  • Thanksgiving 
  • Dinner parties
  • Birthdays
  • Graduation get togethers
  • Bachelorette/Bachelor parties
  • Club parties
  • Sleepovers
  • Brunch
  • High tea
  • Baby showers
  • Soirees, and at almost every event.

How to make a Cheese Platter?

Choose the perfect sized platter.

Pay attention when choosing a cheese platter or board which is large enough to accommodate all of your cheeses and other items you plan to place on it. Cheese knives and some cheese markers are also required to help your guests for easy serving. You can use trays or marble platters for a chic look.

Choose at least 3 varieties of Cheese.

Choose three to five different cheeses, including some staples and a few seasonal cheeses. Try to incorporate a variety of textures, including soft, semi-firm, and hard or aged cheeses.

It’s also a good idea to provide a selection of cheeses made from different milk sources like goat, cow, goat, and sheep cheeses. They all have different textures and flavours. That being said, remember to put at least one cheese that the majority of people will identify and be familiar with. 2 ounces of cheese per person is a good estimate for an average sized cheese platter.

A hard cheese (Gouda, Cheddar, parmesan), a soft cheese (Brie, mozzarella, burrata), and a crumbly cheese (feta, Blue cheese) are another three cheese varieties to consider for your cheese platter. Didn’t we say your options are endless?

Remember to arrange the cheese in different ways.

You can display the cheeses on your cheese platter in a variety of shapes and sizes, such as cubes, wedges, whole cubes, or even slices. Slicing cheese yourself keeps it fresher for longer and gives you more control over how you slice it.

Various cheese accompaniments.

The possibilities of cheese accompaniments are endless when it comes to what to serve with your cheese. Consider the variety, colour, and texture of the cheese, as well as what will enhance the flavour for choosing the accompaniments. Some popular accompaniments are:

  • Cured meats like prosciutto or dried salami pair quite well with every type of cheese. 
  • Breads, crackers, and crusty baguette are all good options for cheese accompaniments.
  • Fruits that are in season or dried fruits and nuts, whether they’re raw or candied.
  • Finally, a sweet ingredient such as jam, honey, or even chocolate.

Sauces like basil pesto and Arrabiata could add a tangy flavor to your cheese platter. Aside from that, there are other options you can explore. There are some that you can make yourself, and others, you can buy online or in stores near you. And if you want to get your hands on something authentic and has a history to it, you should check out different e-stores that are specialized in the niche. Take for example, the Real Italiano store; the famila suarez section specializes in items that have been perfected for generations. But when it comes to putting them on the platter, ensure that you don’t choose ones that collide with the flavors of the other items; use sauces that are versatile and go well with any savoury or cheese.

Now, you can move onto some fresh fruits. To choose the best fruits for your platter first consider the season. In the winter, pears, persimmons, apples, strawberries and pomegranates, as well as dried fruits such as dried apricots or dried cherries, are a must.

Berries, as well as stone fruits like cherries, plums and avocados are popular throughout the summer. Try to stay away from highly juicy fruits like peaches,  melons  and watermelons since they tend to spill all over the place and ruin your cheese platter. Always remember to have a few more fruit options ready to add to your platter in case you have some empty space left on it.

Arranging the cheese platter.

Start by arranging the cheese and meats first. It will give you a framework to place the smaller items. We also prefer to spread out pickled or marinated food items in a bowl so that we can work around it. Try to place the prosciutto in stacks and fold the meat into quarters. 

Then, around the cheese and meats, place the crackers in rows or any manner you like. You can also place crackers or pieces of a crusty French baguette alongside the cheese. Avoid going overboard with these items because they can take up a lot of space on your cheese platter. Instead, keep these in a separate bowl or plate next to the cheese board for bread and crackers.

We like to put dips and sauces (our favorite ones are basil pesto and Arrabiata) in the centre of the cheese platter. You can fill in any empty spaces with breads, extra fruits and nuts, as well as some fresh fruit. The trick is to arrange everything in piles and mix forms and sizes. 

Trust us there’s no perfect or definite way to arrange a cheese platter so use your imagination to the fullest to arrange different colors to make it look interesting. If there is any vacant space on the board you can add some rosemary sprigs to your cheese platter. They add a visually appealing touch as well.

Keep in mind that once the fruit and cheese plate starts to run out, you can always add more of the items. Small dishes to the side of your fruit and cheese platter may also be useful for visitors to load with their favourite selections from the board.

Go ahead and make a Cheese Platter for your next party with our guide or place an order online for the best cheese platters.

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