09/01/2022
PLATTER BUILDING ✨
Everyone has their own unique method to building the perfect platter, here’s ours!
• CHEESE •
Include a combination of soft, semi-firm and hard cheeses as well as cheeses made with different milks for some well rounded texture and flavour variety! Triple Creme Brie, Kaltbach Gouda and an Aged Manchego are some of our favs! 🧀
• MEAT •
Keep it regional. (Or not!) A good rule of thumb for meat and cheese pairing is going with varieties that come from the same region, they tend to automatically compliment each other well. (This goes for wine and cheese too!) But pairings can be totally subjective, so just go with what you think tastes great together! Speck and Manchego are a classic combo for us.
• ACCOMPANIMENTS •
We focus on elements that add contrasting textures and complimentary flavours.
Salted and candied nuts add crunch and sweetness, olives, drop peppers and cornichon add tang and brine to cut the fat of the cheese, fresh fruit acts as a refreshing palette cleanser and adds tartness in between bites, a good jelly can enhance the flavour profile of your cheeses and bits of dark chocolate add an extra element of mild sweetness and earthiness to round out the salty cheeses and cured meats.
• GARNISH •
Don’t forget to add pops of colour to your platter! Pockets of bright seasonal fruit and crudités as well as fresh herbs, micro greens and dried citrus are a great way to lighten things up and make things pretty - we do after all eat with our eyes first!
• THE BUILD •
Placement is important. Dips and spreads down first, cheeses, meats then the accoutrement and garnishes to fill in the gaps. We tend to arrange the cheeses and meats along the outer edge of our platters for easy access, and keep ingredients that can easily roll off the board like fruit, olives and nuts toward the centre and nestled in between. We also place jellies and other accoutrement near the cheeses and meats that they pair best with.
I hope you find some of these tips useful when creating your platters at home! Remember the art of the perfect platter can be totally subjective, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavour combos until you find your favs!
