Cheese platter made easy
A beautiful and decoratively arranged cheese platter is not only a pleasure but also a visual eye-catcher. Whether for a party, a film evening with an aperitif or the crowning dessert, a cheese platter is always perfect. We show you below how to create your own personal cheese platter in five easy steps.
Step 1: Which cheeses?
When choosing the types of cheese, make sure that the cheeses differ in texture (soft-hard) and in the type of milk (cow's, sheep's, goat's and buffalo's milk) so that the cheese platter is individually designed. Of course, your cheese platter can also consist of only one type of cheese. Depending on the occasion and how many guests the cheese platter is intended for, calculate one type of cheese per person up to 12 people. The cheese platter should therefore contain no more than 12 types of cheese. To whet your guests' appetite for something new, you should mix well-known and popular cheeses with unusual and exotic ones when designing your cheese platter. Also make sure that you choose high-quality and fresh cheeses. These stand out not only visually but also in terms of taste. Get the cheese from the cheese dairy you trust.
Step 2: What quantities of cheese?
When determining the quantity, it is important that you think about whether you want to serve the cheese as part of the menu, for example as a dessert, aperitif or main course. Depending on what you decide to serve, we recommend the following quantities:
Apero: 80-120 grams
Main course: 170-200 grams
Dessert: approx. 80 grams
Tip: Generally, calculate a little more cheese per person, this will be appreciated by the guests. You can enjoy the leftovers the next day, simply to eat as is or to gratinate a gratin.
Step 3: How do I arrange the cheese?
Now that you have decided on the types and quantities of cheese, it's time to arrange them. The cheese clock helps you to arrange the cheese correctly. Start at 12 o'clock with the mildest of your cheeses and arrange the cheeses clockwise from mild to intense, so that blue cheeses are usually at the end of the chain. In this way, guests can taste their way through all the cheeses without the flavours overlapping.
In addition to wooden plates, marble, slate or chrome plates are also suitable. Choose a plate that is too large rather than too small. The cheeses look better on a larger cheese platter and there is also enough space for cutting and decorating. To prevent the cheese flavours from overlapping, make sure that the cheeses are not too close together.
In addition to a plate, the right cutting tool is also important. Ideally, one for each type - a soft cheese knife for soft cheese, a cheese harp for blue cheese, a cheese knife for hard and semi-hard cheese and a cheese knife for cheese curls.
Tip: To allow the cheese to develop its full aroma, take it out of the refrigerator one hour before eating.
Step 4: Which decoration do I use?
There are no limits to the decoration of your cheese platter. In general, however, less is more so that the cheese is the focus of the plate and the decoration does not steal the show. However, the decorations not only enhance the look of your platter, but can also emphasise the taste of the cheese if you choose them correctly. Particularly fruity and spicy, but also sweet flavours contrast the cheese in a fitting way. We have put together some ideas for you below:
- Fresh fruit: grapes, figs, pears, strawberries, blackberries
- Dried fruit: figs, apricots, plums, dates
- Fresh bread, for example baguette or ciabatta
- Crackers, Grissini, Pretzels
- Olives, cherry tomatoes
- Nuts: Walnuts, pistachios, pumpkin seeds
- Fresh herbs: rosemary, sage, basil, parsley
- Sauces: fig mustard, honey, jam, chutney, olive oil, balsamic vinegar
Step 5: How do I find the right wine?
A sip of wine should not be missing with a fine cheese. However, it is important to match the taste of wine and cheese. The wine should be based on the strongest cheese on your cheese platter. For creamy cheeses, wines with acidity are particularly suitable, for salty varieties noble sweet wines, hard cheese harmonizes particularly well with tannin-containing wines. With a cheese dessert, you can also serve a fine dessert wine. Are you not a wine connoisseur and want to play it safe? Opt for a mild, sweet white wine, as this harmonizes with almost all types of cheese. Tip: Choose a wine from the same region where your cheese comes from.
Now nothing stands in the way of your perfect cheese evening. Important: Be creative and try out daring things. There is no right or wrong and tastes are known to be very different. We are looking forward to your ideas. Share your cheeseboard with us on social media and tag us @cheezy _kaeseboxen.
