Cheese Board Essentials

I have recently been obsessed with cheese boards. I think that they are like works of art for food - there are so many ways to make them unique and beautiful. I have been searching for any excuse to make one of my own but since I have not really been seeing anyone except those in my home, and I have no intention to eat food in a communal manor in a pandemic, it has been hard for me to find an opportunity. However, on Thanksgiving I decided that it would be fun to splurge and make one for my family. Since it was only four of eating it I did not want to make a huge one so I was not able to reach my full charcuterie board making potential but I think it was still a pretty solid attempt. I started by placing four different kinds of cheeses on the board: Brie, Manchego, Zamorano, and my personal favorite, White Truffle Moliterno. I then put everything but the bagel seasoned nuts from Trader Joe's in a little bowl and placed that on the board. These nuts are some of the most perfectly seasoned nuts I have ever tasted. Usually roasted nuts tend to be overly salty but these had the perfect amount of salt and I was still able to taste the rich nut flavor. Not to mention, the onion and sesame added a nice addition to the overall flavor and texture of the nut mix. I then added a jar of kalamata olive spread to the center. This spread went perfectly on a cracker with the Manchego and Zamorano cheeses since those are a little lighter in flavor. I added some cut up apple out the outskirts of the board as a healthier alternative to a cracker and cheese. I also think apples are the perfect pairing with a rich and creamy cheese such as Brie because they add a nice crunchy texture and sweet flavour to contrast those of the cheese. I then added some crackers that came from an arranged set of crackers. My personal favorite crackers are the ones in the bottom left corner which are the Raisin Rosemary Crisps from Trader Joe's. Those are a cracker that have the perfect thickness and surface area to go perfectly with any type of cheese.

My Cheese Board from Thanksgiving!

That's all I put on my cheese board! I hope this can help you find some ideas for your next cheese board or inspire you to create one of your own!