📖 Instructions

1. Gather your board: Select a wooden board, slate board, or even a large platter. Size depends on how many you’re serving. I adore my round acacia wood board. It has a nice organic feel. So you could try that!
2. Choose your cheeses: Aim for 3-5 different cheeses, offering a variety of textures and flavors. Consider a soft cheese (like brie or goat cheese), a semi-hard cheese (like Havarti or Gouda), and a hard cheese (like cheddar or Parmesan).
3. Prep the cheeses: Remove cheeses from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before serving to allow them to come to room temperature, enhancing their flavor. Cut larger cheeses into wedges or slices.
4. Add fruits: Incorporate seasonal fruits like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and grapes. You can also add dried fruits like apricots or cranberries for textural contrast.
5. Include nuts and seeds: Walnuts, almonds, pistachios, and pumpkin seeds add a delightful crunch. Toast them lightly for enhanced flavor.
6. Add savory elements: Olives, pickles, artichoke hearts, or cured meats (like prosciutto or salami) provide a savory counterpoint to the sweet fruits and creamy cheeses.
7. Include spreads and dips: Honey, fig jam, or olive tapenade add another layer of flavor and can be paired with different cheeses.
8. Add crackers and bread: Offer a variety of crackers, baguette slices, or breadsticks. Consider gluten-free options as well.
9. Arrange the board: Start by placing the cheeses on the board, spacing them out evenly. Then, fill in the gaps with fruits, nuts, savory elements, and spreads. Arrange crackers and bread around the edges or in separate bowls.
10. Garnish (optional): Add a touch of freshness with sprigs of rosemary, thyme, or edible flowers.
11. Serve and enjoy: Encourage guests to mix and match flavors and textures. Have small knives or spreaders available for each cheese. And most importantly have fun while preparing the snack, and even more while eating it!