How to Make the Ultimate Cheese Platter
Diana Yen is the cookbook author and food stylist behind The Jewels of New York. She shares with us her tips on how to throw together a festive cheese platter for your next holiday party.
The ultimate cheese platter to entertain guests this holiday season. (Photo: Diana Yen)
So you’re throwing a holiday party and want to set up a show-stopping cheese plate that is going to get oohs and ahs? Here are a couple tips on how to spruce up your cheeses and create pairings that will ensure that your platter is a huge hit.
As a rule of thumb, plan on serving 3-4 ounces of cheese per person. Once you’d gotten the amount down, you can figure out the types of cheese you’d like to serve. In most cases, serving three to five cheeses is a good amount.
To pick out cheese, it’s nice to have a range that goes from soft and creamy to firm. Since cheese can get expensive quickly, two of my easy go-to’s are goat cheese and Brie. For full-flavored cheeses that please guests with adventurous taste buds, try Roquefort blue cheese, Manchego, and aged Gouda.
Goat cheese medallions rolled in fresh herbs. (Photo: Diana Yen)
One fun way to spruce up goat cheese logs is to slice them into medallions and roll the sides in fresh herbs. Dill, tarragon, and mint work wonderfully and you can press a small sprig into the tops as garnish. Once I discovered how easy it is to make these myself, I skipped buying the grocery store version.
Brie garnished with fresh pomegranates and rosemary. (Photo: Diana Yen)
Simple brie can be dressed up with a scattering of jewel-toned pomegranate seeds. These will add a sweet tang to your cheese. Even though Brie is considered a basic cheese, it makes a perfect base for jams, nuts, and honey. If you’re feeling decadent, go for a triple cream Brie.
Roquefort blue cheese pairs deliciously with fresh figs, walnuts, and honey. (Photo: Diana Yen)
Pairing your Roquefort blue cheese with walnuts and fruit can take some of the edge off and showcase its tangy, pungent flavors. Fresh figs, pears, and apples all work well with this cheese. A drizzle of honey adds a sweet finish and balances out the saltiness of the cheese.
Butter manchego cheese is the perfect snack with jam and almonds. (Photo: Diana Yen)
Manchego is one of the most popular cheeses in recent years. This firm and buttery cheese is great for snacking on its own or you can pair it with fig jam. Oil roasted marcona almonds served alongside this will give your guests a taste of Spain.
Finally, what should you serve your cheese on? Try a French baguette sliced up and seeded crackers for variety. Other extra goodies for your platter are fresh fruit and cured meats such as salami and prosciutto. Wow your guests with this impressive spread for your next holiday event.
Serve your cheese with fresh fruit, bread, crackers, and salami. (Photo: Diana Yen)
More appetizers for holiday entertaining:
9 Classy Upgrades for Party Dips
7 Ways to Kick Cheese and Crackers Up a Notch
Turn One Store-Bought Ingredient Into 3 Easy Apps
