One of the most basic appetizers for every kind of party is the good old meat and cheese platter, also known as a charcuterie board. “Charcuterie” is a French word that refers to cold, cured meats and, unless your party is 100% vegan, you can please a large part of your guests with some cheese, charcuterie, crackers and sides. If you’re throwing a cocktail party where people will only munch on something while they drink and have a conversation, it can even be the only food option. Just calculate appropriately in this case (cheat sheet at the end).
I don’t know about you, but when I look up cheese or charcuterie boards on Pinterest, I get a little anxious with the level of artistry that comes up. But you don’t need a Cordon Bleu diploma to be able to put together a tasty and harmonic cheese board for your guests. That’s the beauty of the cheese board: the ingredients are inherently delicious, they don’t need to be cooked or prepared in advance (except for some cutting and slicing maybe), and they don’t require tableware to eat. It’s the perfect appetizer! In case you’re looking to step up your cheese board game, I’ve done some research and compiled a list of steps and tips for you. Here’s what you need to create a good cheese board for your guests:
Board and Knives
If your cheese board is the star of the show, either have a large one or assemble more than one, depending on the number of guests. But if it’s just an amusement while guests wait for the wonderful dinner you’ll be serving in an hour, don’t exaggerate or they’ll lose their appetite. And don’t stress too much about the board itself, even a plate or a serving tray could do. Just keep in mind that if that’s the case, you might prefer to have the cheese cut into slices and pieces in advance so your tray doesn’t get scratched by knives.
CHEESE
So many cheeses to taste, so little time. The recommendation for a basic board is to combine different types of cheese, both in texture and in flavor. If you include a blue cheese – Stilton, for example – compensate for it with a more mild-flavored one, like Gruyère or Swiss. And if you already have a soft cheese, like Brie, pair it with a firmer one, like Aged Cheddar. Plus, remember that guests eat less amounts of the strong-flavored ones so plan accordingly. And keep in mind that more than 5 varieties of cheese at once can be overwhelming. Here are some tried and tested killer combinations you can try:
- Brie, Gruyère, Manchego, Aged Cheddar
- Gouda, Asiago, Roquefort
- Camembert, Comté, Pecorino, Swiss
- Smoked Gouda, Grana Padano, Havarti
charcuterie
For the meats, usual suspects are Parma, Salami, Coppa, Bresaola and Mortadella. You can’t go wrong with any of them. If you want to go a step further, include some Pâtè or Terrine.
Hungry yet? I’m not done yet…
complements
Having some veggies, fruits, nuts and spreads on your board adds color and texture. My go-tos usually are: celery sticks, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, grapes, strawberries, dried apricots, cashews, pistachios, honey smoked almonds. Pick your favorites. They are also a great way to add some nutrients and healthy fat to the board. For spreads, look for jam or chutneys that can add some sweetness or sourness, like dijon mustard, hot honey or mango chutney.
crunch it up
Crackers or Grissini breadsticks are the final touch to go with your cheese board. I usually like to serve flavored crackers to add yet another layer of taste. I prefer thin crackers that are easy enough to bite into and break, but not too fragile that it will break on your hand.
Now, if you’re wondering how much of each of these you’re gonna need for your party, we can help with that too. Here’s a little guide to help plan the amounts, depending on the type of party you’re hosting.
I hope this post will be useful for your next party! Let us know in the comments. We love to hear from you.