Building the perfect cheese plate

By Sarah

I'm a big fan of cheese, so much so that I've been known to eat cheese and crackers -- and nothing but cheese and crackers -- for dinner. Often. Here are my must-haves for the perfect cheese plate.

Hard cheese: I like a good Dubliner cheese, but you could also go with an aged gouda or a sharp cheddar (my favorite is Tillamook Vintage White Extra Sharp Cheddar.)

Semi-soft cheese: I prefer a smoked gouda here, but if you're going with an aged gouda as your hard cheese, then I'd suggest a Jarlsberg or a Havarti. Havarti is great because you can buy it in a bunch of different flavors -- dill, habanero, sun dried tomato, etc.

Soft cheese: A nice brie or camembert is always delicious, but sometimes I like to mix it up with blue cheese. Nothing fancy, just a big hunk of stinky, veiny blue cheese.

Meat: I like a few meat choices with my cheese plate, perhaps a peppered salami and some strips of prosciutto, or even just some thinly-sliced ham.

The other stuff: While certainly not necessary, I definitely think a few briney items add to a cheese plate. My favorites are green olives, pepperoncinis, and sliced pickles, but we've recently started buying jarred cherry peppers and those are a nice accompaniment, too.

Bread: I like any kind of multi-grain cracker, but also like everything flatbreads, which I can usually find on the top shelf of my grocery store's fancy cheese section. I also like to use thinly sliced pieces of baguette, as they are perfect for making mini cheese sandwiches.


What are your cheese plate must-haves?

{Photo credits: tillamook.com, worldmarket.com}

Comments

[Jen L.]

I like Havarti with dill! We usually go with a really crusty bread, but those crackers are the bomb--perhaps we'll try those next time. I love serving cheese and meat platters for dinner during the hot summer months.

[Jessica]

I love Havarti!

If I am serving Brie, I tend to have fruit or small pots of fig or sun-dried tomato jam.

[Nic]

I like Humboldt Fog as a soft cheese but am a sucker for Cambezola (I have to avoid the cheese section at Trader Joe's because it sucks me in)

[Elsha]

The favorites around here are smoked gouda, havarti with dill, and brie. Also, garlic stuffed olives. Those are definitely only for garlic lovers though!

[Jaida]

I like Boursin....black pepper is the best, but the garlic/herb will suffice.

[Caren]

So you need to remember to try Cotswald. Trader Joes carries it and it is sooo yummy!

Also try Peppadoo's. (I think that's how it's spelled. We can only find them in town at Green Frog specialty market.) They are just delicious.

I agree about the Havarti and dill. Thank-you for the reminder. Tomorrow is Friday and I'm going to TJ's.

[Lynnette]

Honey, apple slices, and grapes.

[Blythe]

Yum! I love cheese.

Cambozola, as mentioned above, is delicious and fairly mild blue cheese. I also really like Manchego - it's harder and has a nice bite.

Quince paste is a nice accompaniment - or, really, any other kind of chutney or something sweet to go along with the salt.