A good cheese board fixes everything. I mean who can be in a bad mood when they have a variety of cheeses in front of them?
A good cheese board has the following:
- At least one hard or sharp cheese
- At least one soft cheese
- Nuts
- Crackers or bread
- Fruit
- Charcuterie
- Condiments
My favorite hard or sharp cheeses that are easily found:
- Manchego
- A sharp and buttery cheese from Spain.
- Gouda
- A mild cheese from the Netherlands.
- Aged White Cheddar
- Kerrygold makes an excellent sharp aged white cheddar.
- Comté
- A delicious nutty cheese from France.
My favorite soft cheeses that are easily found:
- Goat Cheese (chèvre)
- a creamy and tangy cheese that takes on flavor well. Try with a drizzle of honey or olive oil with fresh herbs.
- Brie or Camembert
- A creamy French cheese that is always a crowd favorite. Camembert has a little bit more of a distinct flavor.
- Blue Cheese
- Gorgonzola or Roquefort are my favorite.
Condiments & Fruit:
- I usually pair a whole grain Dijon mustard with a sharp cheddar or Gouda.
- With Brie, a nice jam or honey is a nice compliment. Figs, apples, or grapes pair nicely with brie and Camembert. You also can’t go wrong with serving whatever is in peak season.
- Dried Fruit is also a great option. Trader Joe’s has dried orange slices that are a fun twist on any cheese tray!
Make it special! Here are some ideas:
- Baked truffle goat cheese
- Put the goat cheese in an oven safe dish and drizzle with truffle oil and top with fresh oregano or thyme. Bake at 350 for about 5-7 minutes.
- Baked Brie
- Serve with a jam or chutney. I especially love making baked brie in the fall.
- Bruschetta
- Cut grape or cherry tomatoes in half. Drizzle with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and 1/4 teaspoon of distilled white vinegar. Add 1 minced garlic clove, salt, and pepper. Serve with toasted bread.
Cheese Tray for Two:
- Go raid the $3 cheese baskets at Whole Foods. They take popular cheeses and cut them into the perfect size for two people. This is a great way to try new cheeses too!
Bon Appétit!
Tracy