If you’ve ever found yourself listening in on cheese nerds chatting about assembling the perfect cheeseboard, you’ll know just how intimidating the world of fromage can be. This is particularly true when hit with unfamiliar vocabulary (like affinage or crémeux) and debates about the best countries of origin (British vs French vs American, ad nauseam).
The good news is that you don’t need to frequent expensive artisanal shops OR know the exact scent of a cave-aged Cheddar blindfolded to put together an impressive cheeseboard!
Just watch this 58-second video on creating a balanced cheese spread …
And then stop in at your nearest Checkers to stock up on all of the ingredients you’ll need for a crowd-pleasing platter that won’t break the bank. You’ll need some homestyle breads and baguettes, as well as fresh and dried fruit, preserves, chutneys and of course nuts (we highly recommend the Padkos range). Ideally you want to encourage a symphony of textures and flavours (at least two of each) as people either work their way around the cheeseboard or snack on their favourite sections. Here are some specific ingredient pairings for getting your spread just right for almost any type of cheesy taste bud!
1.Start Creamy (Texture)
Ideally you want to kick off with a selection of soft options, like goat’s cheese, Camembert or Brie. To elevate these, pair them with fresh fruits like fig and grapes or even a sweet cranberry preserve. Then to top it all off also add some crunchier ingredients near these softer textures, for example slivered almonds or toasted pistachios.
2.Move Into Mild (Flavour)
You’ll find that this section of your spread is almost always a crowd favourite so try and go for volume here. Feature the likes of cream cheese, halloumi or even some of the American-style cheeses like Colby or Monterey Jack. To take this selection to the next level, try pairing with stronger ingredients like tomato jam, wholegrain mustard and even tangy pickles.
3.Take A Hard Turn (Texture)
Semi-hard to hard cheeses can be a good meeting ground for self-confessed snobs and curious newbies alike. Pieces of a nutty Gouda or Gruyère will usually please either camp, as will hearty slices of mature Cheddar, pecorino or Edam. These delicious variants truly come to life when enjoyed with a rustic marmalade or rich balsamic reduction and a sprinkling of fresh micro leaves.
4.Finish Strong (Flavour)
This is the section of the cheeseboard where the mice are separated from the fromage discerning men. Here you’ll want to feature a blue cheese such as Roquefort or Danablu. These are bold, pungent variants that pair well with preserves like sour cherry jam or with honeycomb and even a fresh apple sauce.
If effortless and delicious entertaining is what you’re looking for, don’t forget that with over 400 cheeses to choose from, the Checkers Cheese World is your one-stop shop for the best international and local cheese at supermarket prices!