Cheese Platter Food

ULTIMATE CHEESE PLATTER

Steps:

• Arrange the fig leaves in a single layer on a 16- to 18-inch diameter round board or platter.
• Place the grapes in the center of the board. Arrange the cheeses on the board around the grapes, cut sides facing out.
• Nestle the strawberries between two of the cheeses to create a block of color. Nestle the apricots between two of the cheeses, also creating a block of color. Transfer the fig jam to a bowl and place it on the board. Arrange the crackers on the board around the cheeses. If using, place the fig ball on the board, cut sides up.

CHEESE PLATTER

Steps:

• Go to the best cheese shop in town and ask the person at the counter which cheeses are ready to serve. Taste everything; they expect you to. We all know that the Brie may look terrific, but it can be underripe and tough or overripe and ammoniated. You want only the freshest cheeses that are perfectly ripened. Take them home, refrigerate them, and then bring them to room temperature a few hours before serving.
• Second, be sure to have a platter or wooden board that is flat and large enough to hold the cheeses without crowding them. Arrange the cheeses with the cut sides facing out, and with several small cheese knives, maybe one for each type of cheese.
• Third, to finish the platter, add sliced breads or crackers, and green leaves. I use either lemon or galax leaves, which you can get from your florist. If you have a garden, any large flat leaf like hydrangea looks beautiful, but be sure they aren't poisonous and are pesticide-free!
• Overall, the simpler the design, the better the platter looks. Group each kind of cheese together and add one large bunch of green or red grapes in the center to create a visual focal point. Fill in the spaces with lots of crackers or small slices of bread.

EASY CHEESE BOARD

Steps:

• Arrange the fig leaves on a round platter. Place the grapes in the middle and the Brie, Cheddar and goat cheese around the grapes. Sprinkle thyme leaves and place a sprig of time on top of the goat cheese and drizzle with olive oil. Add the blue cheese to the cheese arrangement and artfully arrange the apricots, figs and crackers among the cheeses.

CHEESE PLATTER

Steps:

• Arrange cheeses and fruit on a platter. Serve with chutney.;
• In a medium heated saucepan add butter, onions, and ginger. Cook until onion softens, about 5 to 10 minutes. Once onion has slightly turned color and softened add the pear, plums, and sugar.
• Give it a stir. Turn heat down a bit and add the white wine, Worcestershire sauce, and white wine vinegar. Stir well and let it reduce for about 20 minutes. Once a jam consistency occurs, remove from heat and let it cool. Serve with cheese platter.