Cheese plate - a dish containing at least four types of cheese - soft, hard, moldy cheeses, goat, sheep and others.

What is included?

So what is this cheese platter? Its composition is both simple and complex at the same time. Usually, this dish means serving an assortment of noble, high-quality and expensive cheeses, laid out on a round hardwood board in a breathtakingly beautiful form. You can replace the board with porcelain dishes, a dishware, but nevertheless, it is the combination of cheeses and wood that gives a truly amazing effect.

It is also worth considering that it is impractical to cut beautifully and it is interesting to arrange one or two types, it will be just a slicing, but not a cheese plate. Sandwich cheese, processed or spreadable, is also not suitable.

Innings

You can prepare a cheese plate in advance, cut the cheeses, arrange a board and wrap it in cling film, put it in the refrigerator. Half an hour before serving, it will be necessary to remove the plate, put it on the table, remove the film and let it stand at room temperature. During this time, the cheese bouquet and aroma will unfold in full force.

And even if you do not have a cheese plate prepared in advance, the cheeses must be taken out of a cold place before slicing, only after the cheese is infused, it will be possible to arrange and serve.

Also, wooden sticks and special knives should be served with neatly and correctly sliced ​​cheeses on a cheese plate.

Arrangement of cheeses on the board

As mentioned above, the minimum number of varieties is four, but you shouldn't get carried away either. If there are a lot of cheeses, it will simply not be possible to arrange them beautifully and aesthetically. Arranging cheeses on a plate correctly, but at the same time beautifully, is a great art that requires a sense of style.

"Clock face"

To make a beautiful cheese plate, spread the cheeses on the board in a circle. You should start with the softest and most delicate varieties, moving on to harder and more pungent ones. The conventional "dial" is completed by brighter and more saturated varieties. Since, in the end, there will be two absolutely opposite types next to each other - light and rich - do not forget that the cheeses do not come into contact with each other. Otherwise, this delicate and delicate product will absorb the smell and taste of the neighboring variety.

Edge to center

There is another way to arrange cheeses on the Cheese Platter. In this case, the design begins at the edge of the board, where the harder and sharper varieties are placed. The closer to the center the cheese is laid out, the softer and more tender it becomes, the intensity of the taste decreases. The most delicate and delicate varieties are laid out in the very center of the plate.

Slicing

Round cheeses should be cut into segments, other varieties - into cubes and cubes. It should be borne in mind that each piece should consist of both the middle of the cheese and its edge. The fact is that the taste of each piece - the middle, the crust and near the crust - is slightly different from each other. And the correct cutting will allow you to enjoy the food, feel the aroma of all the above pieces.

Serving cheese without pre-cutting is also allowed. In this case, everyone will be able to take for themselves the amount of cheese they need. With this method of serving, a sufficient number of knives are placed on a separate board or plate. Each type of cheese must have a separate knife, so as not to mix tastes and smells.

Escort

Do not lose sight of the additional products that are laid out on the board for the cheeses. They will also determine how your cheese plate will look. What cheeses have you chosen for your treat? Based on their varieties, it is worth picking up an addition to them, since different species require appropriate "accompaniment".

Nuts and grapes are perfect for soft blue cheeses. For rich, hard ones, take avocados or dried fruits: raisins, dates, dried apricots.

You can also use fresh fruit to accompany the cheeses, especially pear cheeses. Raisins, cashews, almonds, olives and crackers are all nice additions to your cheese platter. Use jams, honey, marmalade. Try olives, figs, tomatoes.

But it is not recommended to serve bread with cheeses, unless it is toasts specially prepared for this purpose, otherwise it will clog the taste of cheeses. But the cheese plate goes well with herbs, coffee beans, mint leaves, arugula and lettuce.

In general, the cheese accompaniment is an important stage in the design. After all, the pleasure of contemplating a plate should not be inferior to the satisfaction of tasting cheese.

How to cut cheeses?

Cheese can be cut into segments, cubes or diamonds. But a cheese plate with figuratively sliced ​​cheeses will look no less attractive. To do this, you can use knives with curly blades, so that ordinary cheese squares will take on a particularly presentable and attractive appearance.

An equally effective, but at the same time simple way is various figures cut out of slices of cheese. For example, in the form of leaves, fish, hearts, stars, etc. You can use special forms for making cookies.

Cheese plate: recipe

There are many different recipes, it all depends on everyone's taste preferences and financial capabilities. Here are some of them.

First recipe

Take 100 grams each of the following cheeses: mozzarella, gorgonzola, brie, parmigiano reggiano, emmental. Of fruits, pears, grapes are perfect, you can add strawberries to them. You will also need walnut kernels and 100 ml of honey.

Cut the fruits and cheeses into segments, lay out everything beautifully, according to the rules of the "dial", decorate with strawberries and grapes, walnut kernels. Place the honey in the center of your plate in a wooden bowl.

Method two

Here you will have to tinker a little longer, but the result is worth it.

So, you will need:

• 100 grams of hard emmental cheese;
• 100 grams of calamber or brie cheese;
• 50 grams of blue cheese, such as rustic;
• 100 grams of cheese made from goat milk;
• two pears;
• 20 pieces of granular bread;
• juice of one lemon;
• a pound of grapes;
• 20 ml fruit vinegar;
• 50 grams of sugar;
• 2-3 peas of black pepper;
• a pinch of salt.

Recipe:

1. First, make a grape marinade. To do this, mix 300 ml of water and vinegar in a container, add salt, peppercorns and sugar. Stir.

2. Take a bunch of grapes and, without removing the berries from the brush, rinse and dry well. Make a small puncture on each grape and place the bunch in a saucepan.

3. Bring the marinade to a boil, pour over the prepared grapes. Close the lid and leave for a couple of days at room temperature. Chill before serving.

4. Wash the pear, dry it, peel it and cut it in half. Remove the core and cut the flesh into thin slices, sprinkle them with lemon juice so that they do not darken.

5. Fry each piece of toast on both sides in heated olive oil.

6. Cut soft and blue cheeses into sectors, the rest into cubes. Lay out from edge to center in the manner described in this article. Garnish with pear slices, pickled grapes and toast.

Cheese plate "Tasty standard"

Tasty Product is a manufacturer of a ready-made cheese plate format with numerous lines of Say Cheese flavor variations. This company specializes in the manufacture of original snacks.

They have developed a special ergonomic container, where various types of cheeses are hermetically packed, according to the basic requirements for a cheese plate. These kits are complemented by French crackers, honey, a variety of nuts and bamboo skewers for ease of use.

Each package of such a plate describes in detail which cheeses and which addition to them goes. Also, on each packaged plate there are transparent windows where you can see the product that you are going to purchase.

Conclusion

It is also worth considering that it is better to buy cheeses for forming a cheese plate in specialized stores, and not in supermarkets. In such places they can advise you on the best combination, offer you to taste the cheese before buying, in addition, they will give a guarantee for the quality and freshness of the goods.

Cheese plates are a great option for a buffet table, for organizing a themed party, spending time with friends and a romantic evening. Having picked up an equally fine wine for this excellent dish, you will have a great time!