Let's talk about everyone's favorite: cheese. Don't you love a fresh, crispy loaf of hot bread with cheese and honey? Have you tried a triple cream cheese brie? Some find it too rich, almost like eating a stick of butter. Try something decadent—smear the triple cream brie on a date, then add a pecan half. Sinful!
You can get creative with your cheese plates by making delicious accouterments pop. The right textures of sweet, sour, crunchy, clean, and smooth create balance. This info is a lot to absorb, but you'll collect an excellent bit of cheese knowledge in no time.
After working as a cheese buyer for six years, here's how I like to prepare a cheese plate. I usually pick three different kinds of cheese. (Note: Please choose within your budget, as cheese shops tend to be pricey) Alternatively, you can select one small piece. Cheese shops sometimes have a "bits bucket" where you can try something new. The cheese monger can cut you a smaller portion from an already cut "bits" piece.
Here's how I like to make my cheese plates:
- Three different kinds of milk (one cow, one sheep, and one goat)
- Different styles and different textures: one soft, one semi-hard, and one hard
- Three types of accouterments: olives, pickles, cured meats like Italian dry salami like Sopressata, or Spanish cured ham like Prosciutto or Lomo
- Two kinds of spreads: fig jam and honey
- A basket of assorted cheese crackers or a fresh loaf of bread
I want to share an incredible amount of information with you, but I'll leave it here for now.
La Tur 3 milks(Cow, sheep, and goat), 34 degrees original crackers, fresh figs, blackberry jam, Canadian honey.
La Tur 3 milk(Cow, sheep, goat), Canadian honey, blackberry jam, 34 degrees crackers, caramelized pecans, and fresh figs.
Mt. Tam triple cream brie, fresh raspberries, Dutch unsweetened cocoa, and cocoa dusted chocolate covered almonds
Mt. Tam, fresh blueberries, and honey drizzle
Mt. Tam triple cream brie, peppadews, dried oregano, caramelized pecans.
Barbers Vintage Cheddar, smoked salmon, fresh blackberries