Entertaining – Preparing Cheese Plates

[#1]

With October comes the start of entertaining and party season! Fewer subjects induce more fear and confusion in the less experienced cheese consumer than assembling a cheese plate.

Well this is one of the questions I get asked quite frequently and I always love to help. So you may not have tried hundreds of types of cheese, and you may not know how to use those funny looking knives, but you can rest assured you can assemble a cheese plate like a pro!

A classic cheese plate will typically consist of 3 pieces of cheese, and accompaniments typically include water crackers, nuts, dried apricots and perhaps some fig paste or fresh fruit (always use fruit in season). A classic plate will feature cheese of 3 milk types: cow, goat and sheep.

A theme let’s you be creative by using a country of origin or holiday. Remember to keep the cheese the “star” of the plate. Softer cheese should be left intact for guests to cut into, harder cheese should be prepped. For best taste always serve at room temperature, taking the cheese out of the fridge an hour prior to serving.

The following example is using a theme and is perfect for fall, featuring in-season apples!

Spanish Cheese Plate:

Manchego

Iberico

Winey Goat

Iberico Ham (can substitute Prosciutto)

Honeycrisp Apple

Quince paste

Marcona Almonds

Kalamata olives

Honey

Water crackers

Flatbreads

1 serving platter

4 ramekins - for the almonds, olives, honey and quince paste

Small fork - for meat

Cheese knife - for quince paste

Small spoon - for honey

Slice 10-12 triangle shaped slices per wedge

Place the cheese in its own section or corner of the plate

Apple slices go near the Iberico and Manchego

Meat slices in the remaining corner

Place tent-cards to identify the types of cheese

The Manchego is best served with the honey and the Iberico goes best with the quince paste. The apples will pair with both cheeses.

[#2]

Sounds Great!

You thought of everything.....Now I just need to get a good bottle of Spanish wine to go with it!

TT

[#3]

Hi Trevor, glad I could help. Enjoy!

~Veronica

[#4]

Which is better to serve, a sliced or cubed cheese plater

[#5]

That is a great question, Simone. It is mostly preference however, cubes are easier to eat with a toothpick.