The Perfect Cheese Plate
Let’s be people that host parties.
Let’s not just have people over… let’s host parties.
Let’s be people that look effortlessly elegant all night… even if this just means wearing the perfect pair of flattering jeans.
Let’s be people who always have perfect lipstick. Let’s be people who wear comfortable and stylish heels all night. Let’s be people who rock the most appropriate obscure playlist.
Let’s be people who start the game of Pictionary.
Let’s be people who send guests home with full bellies and warm cookies.
It all starts with a perfect cheese plate! And it’s totally not even hard! Come on… Play along!
The Perfect Cheese Plate!
These are just suggestions. It’s totally a create-your-own-adventure situation:
You’ll need a clean board, a piece of parchment paper, or a large brown paper bag, cut open and crinkled.
4 to five cheeses.
Try an aged cheddar like Hook’s 12 year cheddar. Pair cheddar cheeses with sweet cherry or blackberry jam. The sweet fruit and sharp cheddar combination is stellar.
Try a French cheese like Abondance. Semi-hard, raw cow’s milk, almost Swiss like cheese with salty pickles and crisp crackers. Straight classy!
Try a a creamy goat cheese like (mmmm!) Truffle Goat Cheese. Let the truffle take center stage. Simple crackers and a sprinkling of black pepper are totally major. This is a popular cheese. It will be gone in a flash. Be warned!
Try a stinky and bold blue cheese. This cheese is made from raw cows milk… Making it even more crazy tangy… It’s also aged in grape leaves. This strong, blue-veined cheese pairs really well raw honey. The sweetness eases the aggressive nature of the cheese.
These are two VERY simple recipes. Feel free to just eyeball it all. Keep it simple.
To make Quick Pickles… it’s easy!
this recipe is adapted from Rachel Ray
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon whole mustard seed
1 teaspoon salt
1 smashed clove of garlic
a bit of fresh dill
a bay leaf
2 english cucumbers, sliced thin
In a small saucepan, heat vinegar, sugar, mustard, and salt over high heat. Heat until sugar dissolves. Add garlic clove, dill and bay leaf. Pour mixture over sliced cucumber and chill. Leave in vinegar mixture and serve with cheese plate.
Roasted Chick Peas
2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas
about 2 tablespoons olive oil
generous sprinkling Spanish paprika, cumin, black pepper, and salt.
a sprinkling of cayenne pepper
Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
Rinse and dry chickpeas. Toss with olive oil and spices. Bake until crispy and slightly golden, about 20 to 25 minutes. Toss a few times through baking.
Remove from the oven. Cool slightly. Serve with cheese.










134 Comments Add A Comment
This post is pure perfection. I love it. :)
I love this post! I never really know how to assemble a cheese plate properly and just end up with a sad block of cheddar and a box of wheat thins. This looks super delicious though, especially the blue cheese/honey suggestion. Yum.
I love this!! This is my ideal dinner, although it’s not a good option… and I love your photos of this!
YUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!
Is that Truffle Tremor?
Can u please share your recipe for the sour cherry jam? It sounds and looks delicious!!
Yessss…I second this!
me three!
Joy, you just might have the coolest handwriting I’ve ever seen. I wish I could write perfectly cute like that. My handwriting is schizophrenic [like me]–I have different kinds depending on what kind of writing utensil I’m using and what kind of mood I’m in. I kind of hate it. Wish I had one that stayed the same no matter what.
You had me a gherkin….and pictionary. I’ll be over with fancy heels, make sure there’s something stinky on that platter.
Now what are those round things with circle-patterns on top? Crackers? Might be a cultural thing, but I think I’ve spotted a missing arrow ;)
Love cheese! And the chickpeas look and sound just great!
Where did you get those crackers?! I love them!!
LOVE how easy a cheese plate is. I get chunks of slate from hardware stores (like the ones they use as samples for kitchen renos) and use them for cheese. Easy! rustic! cheap!
Joy, did you write the words on the paper or add them afterwards with a font? Love!
It’s all so pretty looking! The sour cherry jam sounds especially awesome! I do have to admit to being a less than adventurous when it comes to trying cheeses, but that looks like a fun way to make myself be a little braver :)
Ok, I am positively having a SALT craving. And you normally give me a sweet craving. Go you! ;)
I adore roasted chickpeas. I prefer large pickles. I kick ass at Taboo. Just thought you’d like to know.
I love that you put the cheese on parchment. And that you ‘host parties’ rather than just having people over.
Sour cherry jam and roasted chickpeas…could I bring the wine and invite myself over? I’d even do dishes! haha!