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6 tips to create the perfect cheese board
Published : 10/20/2021
Categories : Let yourself be Inspired
In & Out Cooking combined a list with six indispensable tips to consider when preparing your cheese board.
THE BOARD
Wood or stone, big or small, round or with a square form, the board is an important element that will make a big difference at the table. Don’t forget that the cheese board should match with the number of guests. Take into account the amount of ingredients as well. Therefore, note that you have to arrange the appetizers, to make it visually pleasing and attractive.
THE TOOLS
Different cheese ask for different cutting, and that's why there are several knives that help you with this. We can’t downgrade the importance of a well sharp knife, although some delicate and smoother cheeses ask for round spreading knives without any blade. We suggest a 2 in 1 knife, that not only helps cutting the cheese, but also has a double end to serve without holding it with your hand.
THE CHEESE
The king of boards and flavours. From the softest to the strongest, the smoothest to the hardest, no one resists it. Ideally serve 4 to 6 different type of cheese, ensuring the balance between flavours and textures. Here are some ideas:
- Maasdam Cheese with a slightly almond flavour and with a lot of naturally occurring holes, known as “eyes”, essential on a cheese board;
- Ricotta with the perfect soft flavour to spread and taste with pumpkin jam, for instance;
- Brie Cheese or Camembert cheese known as white mold cheese and very similar to each other. Brie has an intense and creamy flavour, while camembert has a slight texture and is more buttery;
- Edam cheese with a medium and pleasant taste, it is suggested that you eat it raw, that's why it is ideal for a cheese board;
- Queijo da Serra known by its intense scent and strong flavour, can be the main ingredient of your cheese board. Queijo da Serra is a typical portuguese cheese, and is normally open on top and scooped out;
- Roquefort or Gorgonzola cheese are known for being blue. Roquefort is hard, salty and spicy and Gorgonzola is creamy, soft and sugary. Both are perfect to place at the table, but you only need to choose one… don’t be greedy;
- Island cheese or Gruyère Cheese, both with a hard texture, strong flavour and few naturally occurring holes, known as “eyes”. Island cheese, from Azores Island, is always a good choice when it comes to cheese, with an intense flavour and slightly spicy.
Offer fresh and good quality products to your guests. Take them out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before serving.
SAUSAGES
For a richer and diverse cheese board, you can add some diced slices of sausage. Ham, salami and roasted chorizo are three very good options that never fail. Keep in mind that the star of the night is still the cheese, so beware of the doses.
BREAD
Bread is a mandatory element on a cheese board. In addition to complete the flavours, bread will balance the salty flavour of the cheese and sausage. Put a bread basket at the table with different varieties of bread. You can choose between homemade bread or toasted bread - and that is enough for a wonderful mix of textures. You can also add seeds bread or raisin bread.
And don’t forget that bread is never enough, so be generous when it comes to it!
THE WINE
The perfect touch. The combination between cheese and wine boosts an explosive combination of flavors. When choosing the perfect wine, take into consideration your personal taste, as well as your friends and family’s preferences. The truth is… every cheese asks for a different type of wine. Take a look at these:
- Strong cheese like Gorgonzola, Roquefort or Queijo da Serra ask for some enclosed wine;
- Creamy Cheese like Brie or Camembert ask for a light red wine (young);
- Soft flavoured Cheese like Maasdam or Edam ask for lightweight wine or white dry wine;
- Hard texture Cheese like the island cheese and Gruyére ask for lightweight red wine or white dry wine.
In & Out Cooking also recommend that you add some extra elements to your cheese board to add a twist to the tasting, like honey and jams, tree nuts, red berries and portuguese galician olives - these are the perfect ideas to complement any type of cheese starter. If you want to make a bold move, you can choose to cook a patê or some feta cheese sticks in small cubs, with cherry tomatoes.
Get ready, because with this cheese board, dinner parties will never be the same!