The Perfectly Un-perfect Cheese Board

I have been doing cheese boards for a while because it’s always been an easy appetizer that didn’t require any cooking. It can be put together last minute and can be made up of your favorite items. You can customize it for you and your guests pretty easily. It’s perfectly, un-perfect because you can just pile everything on a simple wooden board and people will always be impressed! You will feel like a professional hostess when your guests arrive and you welcome them with this fabulous starter.

The Perfectly Un-perfect Cheese Board

(1.) 3-5 Different Cheeses

I usually have a gouda, brie, some sort of cheddar, a blue and something new and different. Sometimes (depending on the occasion) I’ll use a cheddar that is a little different… like for Christmas I did a white cheddar with cranberries or a white truffle cheddar is always a hit. Sometimes I even add a spicy pimento cheese in a bowl as one of my cheeses.

(2.) Crackers

Water Crackers

Use 2-3 different kids of crackers and/or breadsticks. A traditional water cracker plus and cracker with dried fruit in it and crispy breadsticks are a hit with adults and kids. They can be eaten by themselves or top with cheeses and meats.

(3.) Meats

Completely a personal preference but I use a nice dry salami and prosciutto because they are mine, Allen and the kids favorites.

(4.) Nuts

You can really use any kind of nuts. I usually go for the Marcona Almonds with Rosemary from Trader Joe’s. Sweet and Spicy Pecans are yummy as well as raw cashews.

(5.) Fruit

For fresh fruit, I tend to use raspberries and blackberries because they don’t brown, have to be cut and can be found year-round. They also look pretty and are sweet and add a fresh component to your board. I also add (dried or fresh) figs or dates

(6) Pickles, Pickled Okra & Olives

Pickled anything is a great accompaniment to anything on a cheese board since cheeses, meat and nuts are so rich and filling.

(7) Condiments

A really good mustard and fig jam or preserves are my favorite things to add in cute little bowls. One is savory, one is sweet and they pair well with different cheeses.

(8) Vegetable

I love putting a colorful sliced watermelon radish or bell peppers or carrots. You could also add a small bowl of hummus for a dip for your fresh veggies.

(9) Something sweet

Whether you add yogurt covered pretzels, chocolate raisins or your favorite bite size cookie, it is nice to have a sweet treat on your board.

(10) Garnish

Rosemary or thyme sprigs, a piece of cedar or holly leaves decorate your board to the next level. Sometimes I add small pumpkins, clementines or a cluster of red radishes for color.