Looking Gouda! These 15 Tips Will Take Your Cheeseboard to the Next Level
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I consider myself something of a cheeseboard connoisseur. I almost always order one at restaurants, I live for a good wine-and-cheese night, and I take pride in creating my own picture-worthy versions. Jan. 20 is National Cheese-Lover's Day, so I turned to the experts of the legendary cheese state, Wisconsin, to up my cheeseboard game and take my guests on a journey of flavor, color, and texture while racking up those "likes" on Instagram!
Start Out Simple
A few cheeses, some honey, nuts, and a clean slate board are all you need for the perfect wine-and-cheese night.
Choose Your Serveware
Slate, wood, marble: whatever it may be, choose a beautiful base for your spread, and make sure it complements the surrounding decor, too!
Vary Your Cheeses
Typically, I like to choose a soft cheese, a hard cheese, a bold cheese, and something on the mild side. If I were making a board right now, I'd pick Brie, Parmesan, something with truffle, and then Havarti.
Create Sections
Arrange your cheeses in different visual patterns across your board and fill in the surrounding areas with extras like crackers, olives, and dried fruit.
Spread Things Out
Start out with a few cheeses, then fill in the spaces with small portions of meat and fruit. Less crowded can sometimes look more elegant.
Create a Color Story
Arrange your cheeses and other accoutrements based on their color. You can even choose cheeses that have colorful wax wrapping or rinds.
When I Dip, You Dip, We Dip
Dips can add variety to your board. Give your guests the option with one sweet dip, one spicy dip, and one savory dip.
Add Pops of Green
If you're serving on a large board, don't be afraid to liven things up with a few sprigs of rosemary and some candied fruit.
Level Up
Create levels by stacking boards, bowls, and plates and arranging cheeses, meats, and fruits throughout.
A Little Something Sweet
Cheeseboards don't always have to be savory. Explore the sweeter side of things with dark chocolate, dried fruit, candied nuts, and jams.
Florals For Cheeseboards . . . Groundbreaking
Adding edible (or nonedible) flowers can make your board all the more Insta-worthy.
Go For a Theme
This Instagrammer went for glamour with a chocolate spread and gold sprinkles, sparkly skewers, and roses.
Let's Get Ready to Cut and Crumble!
Help your guests by cutting or crumbling your cheeses ahead of time. Not only will it give your board dimension, but guests will also spend less time fumbling with cheese knives and more time enjoying it.
Get Creative With Your Spread
If simplicity isn't your thing, feel free to add in whatever you please, from pieces of bread to fruit, dips, popcorn, pickles, and even flowers.
Snap a Photo!
Be sure to share your creation with the rest of the world.