{"id":369255,"date":"2017-10-27T20:06:05","date_gmt":"2017-10-27T20:06:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/origin-www.tasteofhome.com\/?p=369255"},"modified":"2024-11-13T00:47:06","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T06:47:06","slug":"the-best-cheese-board-ideas-for-your-next-party","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/article\/the-best-cheese-board-ideas-for-your-next-party\/","title":{"rendered":"Cheese Board Ideas for Building the Best Spread Ever"},"content":{"rendered":"[dam-video dam-id=\"43961\" type_of_player=\"jw\" \/]\r\n\r\nLove having guests over, but don't have time to make one of our easy potluck dishes<\/a>? Your secret weapon will be a cheese board<\/a>. Before you conjure images of your mother's sliced cheddar cheese on a simple plate\u2014think again. What we're going to show you is nothing like that! With cheese board ideas and tips from our experts, you're steps away from crafting a cheese board masterpiece filled with bold flavors.\r\n

Tools for Making a Cheese Board<\/h2>\r\n[embed_section]\r\n\r\n[embed-content imageid=\"1724971\" title=\"Serving Board\" buybutton=\"Shop Now\" linkurl=\"https:\/\/www.crateandbarrel.com\/mateo-serving-paddle-board\/s154325\" newtab=\"true\" \/]\r\n\r\n[embed-content image=\"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/cheese-knife-set-UD-via-amazon.com-ecomm.jpg\" imageid=\"1836436\" title=\"Cheese Knives\" buybutton=\"Shop Now\" linkurl=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Boska-Holland-Cheese-Guarantee-Collection\/dp\/B01A77HZLC\" newtab=\"true\" \/]\r\n\r\n[embed-content imageid=\"1724965\" title=\"Cheese Markers\" buybutton=\"Shop Now\" linkurl=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Pangda-Toothpick-Labeling-Cheeseplate-Appetizers\/dp\/B07N2NJL9K\/?th=1\" newtab=\"true\" product_name=\"Pangda 100 Pieces Blank Toothpick Flags Cheese Markers White Flags Labeling Marking for Party Cake Food Cheeseplate Appetizers (Kraft)\" product_price=\"6.99\" product_category=\"Kitchen\" product_retailer=\"Pangda US\" content_rating=\"\" \/]\r\n\r\n[\/embed_section]\r\n

How to Build a Cheese Board<\/h2>\r\n
\"Cheese<\/div>\r\n

Step 1: Scan the Guest List<\/h3>\r\nBefore we get to the good stuff, it's best to confirm your guest list first. Why? Cheese can be expensive and you don't want to overbuy. Plan on serving about 3-4 ounces of cheese per guest (that's 2 pounds for eight guests).\r\n\r\nEditor's Tip<\/em>: For most hard cheeses, a single ounce is roughly the size of a pair of dice.\r\n

Step 2: Select Your Cheeses<\/h3>\r\n\"Cheese\r\n\r\nWith so many types of cheese<\/a>, it's easy to get overwhelmed. Most grocery stores have a cheesemonger (yes, that's a real title) who is an expert on cheese varieties, colors, textures and tastes. Don't be shy! They'll probably be delighted to answer your questions.\r\n\r\nCheese for charcuterie boards should be varied. Choose at least one cheese from each of the following categories: soft, semi-soft, firm, blue and aged. Don't be afraid to include some of your personal favorites. After all, you're buying! Consider your crowd as you make your choices as well. You may want to get adventurous and introduce them to new options, or stick with the classics. Make sure to check out our favorite charcuterie board books<\/a> to inspire your next soiree.\r\n\r\nPsst! If you'd like to skip all the prep, opt for a charcuterie box<\/a> instead.\r\n

Soft cheese<\/h4>\r\n

Our recommendations:<\/strong> Goat cheese, Brie, Camembert, feta<\/p>\r\nFew people will pass up a good goat cheese<\/a>. It's creamy, tart and mild in flavor. You can roll it in chopped herbs for color or nuts for texture. Camembert or Brie are good focal points for your board because they come in small wheels. They have earthy notes and you can eat the rind. Another flavorful soft cheese? Feta; it's a great salty, tangy option.\r\n\r\nPairs well with:<\/strong> Fruits. For soft cheeses like goat cheese, Brie and Camembert, think of things like stone fruits (peaches, apricots and figs) and sliced pears and apples. Spreads like blackberry and raspberry preservers also lend a sweet touch to these cheeses. Feta pairings look a bit different. Think of fruits like watermelon and cantaloupe or cucumbers and tomatoes. Olives also work very nicely with feta.\r\n

Semi-soft cheese<\/h4>\r\n

Our recommendations:<\/strong> Mozzarella, burrata, Havarti<\/p>\r\nMozzarella is a crowd-pleasing Italian cheese that's mild in flavor (here are the Taste Recipes<\/em> Test Kitchen's picks for the best mozzarella<\/a>). What's more, it comes in many shapes and sizes to help you add visual interest to your board\u2014look for mozzarella balls, braids and sticks. If you love mozz, try burrata cheese. It's essentially mozzarella formed into a pouch with soft curd on the interior, so you get a good combination of textures.\r\n\r\nNot interested in mozzarella? Havarti has a sharp flavor but a creamy, soft texture to pair with just about anything. Get creative with these individual charcuterie boards for any occasion<\/a>.\r\n\r\nPairs well with:<\/strong> Meats and fruits. For cheeses like mozzarella and burrata, try pairings like salty prosciutto, marinated tomatoes or cantaloupe. A fresh herb like basil or greens like arugula also lend slightly peppery notes to these semi-soft cheeses. Accompaniments for Havarti include soppressata, apple slices and figs.\r\n

Firm cheese<\/h4>\r\n

Our recommendations:<\/strong> Asiago, Manchego, Gruyere<\/p>\r\nAsiago is mild in flavor and gets harder and crumbly as it ages. It tastes similar to Parmesan<\/a>. If Asiago isn't your thing, Manchego might be a good option. It's a nutty, buttery, aged sheep's milk cheese. It also has a distinctive herringbone pattern pressed into the rind (which, by the way, is not edible). Another great choice? Gruyere offers a delicious nutty, slightly sweet taste.\r\n\r\nPairs well with: <\/strong>Fruits and meats. Opt for figs, grapes or sun-dried tomatoes for cheeses like Asiago and Manchego. While meats like ham and salami would go well with Asiago, these two meats will definitely give Gruyere cheese a delightful salty bite.\r\n

Blue cheese<\/h4>\r\n

Our recommendations:<\/strong> Stilton, Gorgonzola, cheddar blue<\/p>\r\nWhen it comes to blue cheese<\/a>, most people either love it or hate it. In all honesty, it took me some time to come around to this one. Blue cheese is pungent and tastes sharp and salty, with blue veins. You'll know it when you see it\u2014or smell it! Not a fan of the super-strong blue cheeses? Cheddar blue is a hybrid, offering a more mellow option.\r\n\r\nPairs well with: <\/strong>Dried fruits. Because blue cheeses are often pungent, it's best to stick with the simple flavors of dried fruits, or mild slices of apples.\r\n

Aged cheese<\/h4>\r\n

Our recommendations:<\/strong> Sharp cheddar, white cheddar, Gouda<\/p>\r\nFor the most part, cheese gets tangier and more intense as it ages. Over time, cheddar develops an irresistible flaky texture, which is why I tend to keep it on my cheese board. Aged white cheddar and gouda<\/a> are good options, too. To really amp up the flavor, consider a smoked gouda as well.\r\n\r\nPairs well with:<\/strong> Meats. The salty varieties of salami accompany the intense flavors of aged cheeses like cheddar and Gouda so well. Try peppered salami for even more intense flavor, or keep it classic with thick cut Genoa salami.\r\n\r\nNeed more inspiration? Explore lesser-known cheese options and find a new favorite by joining one of these cheese of the month clubs<\/a>.\r\n

Step 3: Choose the Accoutrements<\/h3>\r\n\"cheese\r\n\r\nNow it's time to select all the extra items that'll accompany your cheese for a charcuterie board. Besides the cured meats and fruits that we recommended above, you'll want to complete your cheese board with nuts, spreads and crackers too. Include a variety of colors, shapes and textures and a mix of sweet and savory flavors. Here are a few ideas to consider:\r\n