Cheese Board Recipe
Make Cheese Board Recipe in just 45m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Cheeses
Charcuterie & Proteins
Accompaniments - breads & crackers
Accompaniments - spreads & preserves
Fresh fruit & produce
Nuts & pickles
Herbs & finishing
Method
Cheeses
- 1
Prepare and arrange cheeses
Remove all cheeses from the refrigerator 30–60 minutes before serving so they come to room temperature for optimal flavor and texture. Brie: place whole wheel on board; if desired, score top rind in a cross pattern. Cheddar and Manchego: cut into a variety of shapes — one in bite-sized cubes (about 1/2 inch), one in thin slices or triangles for easier grabbing. Blue cheese: break into small chunks and place in a small dish or directly on the board to contain crumbles. Arrange cheeses spaced around the board to create visual balance and allow guests to access each easily.
Charcuterie & Proteins
- 2
Fold and place meats
Fold prosciutto slices loosely into ribbons or roll into small rosettes and place near one cheese. Arrange salami or soppressata in overlapping fan shapes or roll into bite-size cigars. Keep meats separate from wet preserves to avoid sogginess.
Accompaniments - breads & crackers
- 3
Accompaniments - spreads & preserves
- 4
Serve spreads
Spoon honey into a small bowl or drizzle a thin line near a soft cheese (brie) for guests to pair. Place fig jam in a small ramekin and whole grain mustard in a separate dish. Position these near crackers and cheeses appropriate for sweet or savory pairings (fig jam near blue or aged cheddar; mustard near Manchego or salami).
Fresh fruit & produce
- 5
Prepare fruit
Wash grapes and trim from stems into small clusters for easy picking. Core and thinly slice the apple and pear; toss slices briefly with a squeeze of lemon if served more than a few minutes later to prevent browning. Arrange fruit in small bunches and overlapping slices between cheeses to add color and palate cleansers.
Nuts & pickles
- 6
Add crunchy and tangy elements
Place Marcona almonds in a small bowl or loose pile on the board. Put cornichons or other small pickles in a small dish to contain their brine and position near the blue cheese and meats for contrast.
Herbs & finishing
- 7
Garnish and finalize
Tuck rosemary sprigs and scattered thyme leaves around the board for aroma and visual appeal. Leave small cheese knives or spreaders next to each cheese variety and a few small spoons for jams and honey. Make sure there are serving tongs or toothpicks available for grapes and pickles.