When I wrote my post on easy entertaining at the beginning of this month, I had so many questions about how to assemble to cheese plate that I thought it would be a good idea to do a whole post on how I put one together. If you did read that post, you know that the cheese plate is my signature dish. It is my go-to to through together if I am having guests over for last minute drinks. I mean, who does not love a plate with meats, cheese, fruit and nuts. Basically it is my idea of a dream meal.

The first step to a great cheese board is to use a really gorgeous wooden or marble cutting board. I always keep my eyes out for boards that would work for cheese boards when I am Marshalls, HomeGoods, or TJ Maxx. They always have great boards for cheap. Keep this board in the pantry and make sure you use it only for the purpose of serving a cheese board. This way you are sure that it stays free of knicks and scratches. You can also do a half wood/half marble cutting board too. If you are using a marble cutting board you are able to put the board in the refrigerator and it will help keep the cheese a little colder, longer.

When I start assembling the cheese board, the first thing I think about is the colors of the board and how all the cheeses and items on the board will look together. You want a combination of milder cheeses with more pungent cheeses. You typically want 3-5 cheeses on your board; always an odd number of cheeses. My favorite cheese is brie, so you will always see one of those on my boards. I also love using a blue cheese, goat cheese, something with a little spice to it, and I typically will include one type of cheese, like cheddar, that I know everyone will eat.

Once I have my cheeses laid out, I start filling in the spaces with all the other items I will have on the board. I always include one or two different cured meat options. My two favorites are prosciutto and a salami, but any kind of dried sausage or smoked meat will work well. I love putting dried fruits on my boards and I use a combination of salty and sweet nuts. My favorites are marcona almonds and honey roasted pecans. I then add dried fruits like apricots and figs to my plate. I love the color and texture they bring to the overall look of the plate.

The final piece I like to include on my board is bunches of grapes. I always use red grape, never green. I then finish off the board with fresh herbs and viola you are done! I like to put out a combination of gourmet crackers. Some of my favorites are rosemary fruit and nut crackers, water crackers, and a good multi-grain that everyone will love. The awesome part about cheese plates is that they are great to make ahead of time and pull out before the party starts. I always pull my cheese board out an hour before the party begins to let the cheese come to room temperature.

I am a huge fan of stress-free entertaining. That is part of the reason why I love the cheese board. It is simple, makes a big impact, and allows me to be the hostess I want to be and provide food for my guests without running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Always remember, your friends are there to visit with you not watch you slave away in the kitchen.

THE PERFECT CHEESE PLATE

CHEESE BOARD ESSENTIALS