How To Make A Cheese Board

Tips for making a cheese board, what cheeses to include, what type of wine to serve, and other items to add…

A well designed cheese board can be the perfect appetizer or hors d’oeuvre.

When my family and I visited London, we had the pleasure of eating at a pub called, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. This historic pub was built in the 1600’s, was destroyed by a fire 1666, and rebuilt the following year.

After our dinner we enjoyed a delicious cheese plate. Below is the candlelit picture, so simple and pretty.

 How To Make A Cheese Board (Plate)

A cheese plate can be made just as easily at home. A cheese plate is so easy to put together and perfect to enjoy with friends.

Best Cheese For A Cheese Plate

Although it’s tempting to include any type of cheese you want on a cheese plate, there really is a method for choosing the right types of cheese and deciding which foods to serve along with it.

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Here are my suggestions for making a perfect cheese board…

Try to include a variety of textures and flavors on your cheese plate.  

Pick up both hard and soft cheeses, strong and mild cheeses, and slightly sweet cheeses. I love a good sharp cheddar and for this cheese plate, I chose an Irish White Cheddar.

Similar to the cheddar, but milder in flavor is Colby cheese.

For a spicy touch, I added Chipotle Jack.

My husband loves blue cheese and I chose Gorgonzola. Another favorite cheese to add would be a creamy Brie.

Include a selection of crackers, fruit and nuts.

I love to use simple water crackers on my cheese plates. The light flavor of the cracker doesn’t drown out the more intense flavor of the cheeses.

Also consider using slices of a baguette or pretzel sticks either in place of or in addition to the crackers.

At my grocery store, I found a sweet Pear Paste made by a company called Rutherford & Meyer. The sweet jelly-type paste was a perfect compliment to the cheese and crackers.

I also added a small handful of mixed nuts and grapes. Other foods you might consider adding to your cheese plate would be; black or green olives, slices of prosciutto or salami, honey, and apple slices.

Here is an example of a cheese plate I made recently which included various meats, red peppers and marinated artichoke hearts.

Make it pretty.

Place your selection of cheeses and accompaniments on a pretty plate. Arrange them nicely and fill in the open spaces with the crackers, nuts and fruit.

Be experimental.

Don’t just stick with familiar flavors. Try new cheeses from all over the world.

Serve your cheese at room temperature.

For the best flavor, cheese should be served at room temperature so take it out of the fridge about an hour before serving.

Best Wines To Serve With A Cheese Plate

With the selection of cheeses I chose for my cheese plate, I served a Chardonnay along with it. Also lovely would be a Sauvignon Blanc or a light-bodied red wine such as a Pinot Noir.