July 24, 2019 2 min read 10 Comments
Although usually, a plateau du fromage
is created with a variety of cheeses,
for a light summer cheese board to be enjoyed
in the FrenchGardenHouse garden,
I choose just one {or two} delicious cheeses
and a handful of nuts & some dried fruit.
This post will walk you through how to assemble the perfect cheese board.
Add in one or two bottles of wine
toted to the garden shade in a French antique bottle carrier
and it's a wonderful way to spend some time with family or friends!
HOW TO ASSEMBLE THE PERFECT CHEESE BOARD:
Cheese is the most important of all, but let's begin with some of the other things
that make this a delight.
1.FRUIT. In the summer, I like to use fresh fruit - grapes, sliced apples - or dried fruit such as figs or apricots 2. NUTS. I like to add hazelnuts, walnuts and / or marcona almonds to my boards. Sometimes I put them in a little French dish, sometimes I just sprinkle them around the board. 3. CRACKERS AND BREADSTICKS. Variety is key. For stronger cheeses, I choose simple crackers, such as the crispy mini toasts from France and some plain breadsticks. If I'm serving a soft goat cheese that is mild, the crackers can have a stronger flavor profile. 4. OLIVES. Olives add something briny to every board. Castelvetrano olives are my olive of choice.Now, let's talk about the c h e e s e!
1. SOFT CHEESE. France produces so many soft cheeses, it's hard to choose just one or a few. Nothing says joie de vivre français like a delicious, soft triple crème brie. But the star of our cheese board in summer is more likely to be a goat cheese, rolled in herbes de Provence, with a drizzle of honey over the top. It’s a game-changer! 2. HARD CHEESE. Originally made in one of my favorite flea market cities, Lille, Mimolette is a hard, sharp and nutty flavored cheese. Its an eye catcher on any cheese board, due to it's orange cantaloupe color. Another favorite hard French cheese is Comté {Gruyère de Comté} if you have any left over, you can make a stunning grilled cheese sandwich with this one! 3. BLUE CHEESE. If you really want to fancy up your cheese board, add a blue cheese. Yes, there is the wonderful Roquefort, but also try Bresse Bleu, Bleu de Termignon, or Bleu des Causses. Blue is not for everyone, I love the strong ones, but a mild Roquefort is usually loved by every guest.Now all that’s left for you to do is assemble. Get your favorite antique French board, and begin arranging.
Place the cheeses on the board first and then arrange everything else around them.
Voila! The perfect cheese board ready for entertaining!
Here are some of our favorite antique boards and entertaining in the garden accoutrements.
Happy Summer!
August 05, 2019
Isn’t this the perfect way to have a glass of wine paired so beautifully with cheese and fruit.
I entertain a lot more in Arizona and plane on doing this when we return in the fall!
July 29, 2019
Lidy, I love this! Can’t wait to do this!
July 26, 2019
Jane, it would be amazing with crostini!! {I just can’t eat that, wheat allergy} but if I could, I WOULD! Hope you are having a happy summer. xo
July 25, 2019
Jane, unfortunately someone who lives with me but will remain nameless “accidentally” ate the goat cheese I bought for this post! Yes, that’s it exactly, serving it with crostini sounds delicious!!
July 25, 2019
oh—-I just love your choices and presentation. I really love goat cheese but I don’t see it on your board. So just add there herbs on a plate, roll, and drizzle honey. Do you serve it on crackers or can I use toasted crostini?
July 24, 2019
Mary, I love a great blue too!! Happy summer days to you. xo
July 24, 2019
Thank you Alice! You are right, It IS the perfect light meal! Hope you get to spend some wonderful times with friends on your screened porch this summer, with a cheeseboard, of course!
July 24, 2019
Yum, the perfect light late afternoon meal on my screened in porch with friends. Lidy, you presented it beautifully.
July 24, 2019
Vive le bleu! And I love Castrelvatrano olives, as well.
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Shirley @Housepitality Designs
August 11, 2019
You always create the most beautiful presentations of delectables for your family and friends!