Perfect for potlucks, entertaining or even as a decadent movie snack, a platter of cheeses is quick to assemble and always well received whether itā€™s fancy or plain. Here are a few tricks to help shop for and serve your favourite cheeses.

Choose your cheese

Look for:

  • a range of textures
  • three to seven types, depending on the size of your group and your platter
  • at least one firm cheese, one soft or semi-soft, and one sharper cheese

Choose your quantities

When planning a party, estimate about 60 grams of cheese per person, assuming there will be other food available. If the cheese board is the main attraction, increase your quantitiesā€”thereā€™s nothing wrong with leftover cheese. Seriously, nothing wrong with some leftover cheese.

Choose your accompaniments

Once your cheeses are on the tray, fill in the gaps. Try:

  • crackers, raisin bread and/or breadsticks, which will provide a variety of shapes and textures
  • dried fruit (think apricots, cherries, dates and figs)
  • small bunches of grapes
  • apple slices
  • nuts
  • olives
  • small ramekins of grainy mustard, preserves or chutney

Serve it up right

Serve cheese at room temperature, not straight from the fridge, for best flavour. Avoid pre-cutting it, which will cause cheeses to dry out faster. Unwrap and set whole pieces/cheeses directly on the board, and set out knives so guests can serve themselves.

Originally published in ParentsCanada magazine, November 2012.