Cheese Platter

Whether having friends over or making a special appetizer to take to a party, keep it stress free by serving a cheese platter with all the accompaniments. This guide will help you get started. Included are recommendations and ideas for creating a fabulous cheese tray.

Start with a wooden cutting board, a marble slab, or a large ceramic platter.

Pair three to five cheeses with crusty bread and/or crackers, fruit, nuts, olives, pickles, a savory component, and something sweet like honey with a blue cheese.

Aim for variety in the type of cheeses as well as in shape and color. Start with creamy, semi hard or aged, and a goat cheese or blue cheese.

Estimate one pound of cheese for every five guests.

Cheese tastes best at room temperature, so take the cheese out at least an hour before guests arrive. This way it’ll be ready to go when the party starts, and you’ll be free to focus on other hosting duties.

Place a different knife out for each type of cheese.

Consider pre-cutting the cheese for your quests to avoid awkward fumbling.

Make the platter visually appealing. Grape leaves, fig leaves, or rosemary holds up well.

Artfully arrange the fruit, nuts, and crackers among the cheeses.