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January 27, 2021
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Grazing platters, charcuterie board, cheese boards, cheese platters — are synonymous for yummy snacks and ingredients put together on a platter so that guests can take some nibbles whenever they want. It consists mainly of a large tray or board that is loaded with small bites. Because neither cheese nor charcuterie are the dominant components of the platter, I feel it’s more fitting to call this cornucopia of small bites a “grazing platter” or a “grazing board” instead.
We have put together some a quick handy guide to the perfect glazing platter no matter the occasion – dinner party, date night or just a classic Netflix & Chill evening in.
The Board
It’s in the name – a board or a platter is the starting point for it. The size would depend on how many components you are wanting to add to the platter. It will also depend on the number of pax you are catering for. I would go for a wood board (you can use your wooden chopping board) or a marble one.
The Presentation
We all know – it’s all about the ‘gram! And let’s face it – not all food items and especially cheese are presentable.
You must start by placing the key and bigger elements on your board – big cheeses big cheeses and bowls (for your condiments) prior to using the other components to fill the empty spaces such as fruits, nuts or herbs.
Think about the different elements you would like to pair together such as cheeses and honey or jam, charcuterie and gherkins, dips and crackers. It’s all about placing these different components in a messy yet coherent manner. Each item on the board should compliment the other. Look for different items with different textures and shapes to create something truly insta-worthy.
Assembling the Grazing Platter
Cheeses
You can’t have a party platter without cheese. Choose 2 or 3 good cheeses to add variety to your platter. Again, make sure to play with different textures and sharpness. I would suggest to pick cheeses from different animals (sheep, goat, cow) or different countries (Italy, France, Spain, Greece). Experiment with different textures, ranging from soft cheeses to hard cheeses.
Here’s a really general guide:
Soft cheeses: Burrata, Mozzarella, Brie, Ricotta, Cottage cheese
Soft-ish cheeses: Roquefort, Camembert, Gorgonzola, Feta, Goat cheese, Blue cheese
Almost hard: Manchego, Provolone, Comte, Gruyere, Smoked Cheese
Hard cheeses: Cheddar, Parmesan, Pecorino, Gouda
Carbs
Choose a warm baguette, some crackers or breadsticks to go with the cheeses and other elements of your board. These items need to be fairly neutral in taste to balance out with the saltiness of the cheese or charcuterie listed below.
Charcuterie
Charcuterie pairs beautifully with cheese, so definitely add some salami, chorizo, or ’nduja sausage in any form to your board. You could also include hams like Iberico, Prosciutto, Guanciale, or cooked.
Dips, Olives, Nuts, Dried Fruit and Other accompaniments
Nuts with cheese is another classic combination. Go for almonds, walnuts, macadamia nuts, or cashews. Following on from nuts, add some sweetness to balance out the saltiness on your board. Consider apricots and figs, or even fresh fruit like grapes, raspberries, or apple slices for acidity. Some honey on the side is also a divine option. Radishes, cornichon pickles, and olives are your friends.
Now that you have the basics on how to make your platter – do share your comments and pics of platters with us. Tag #HoppingoGrazingPlatter if we’ve inspired you to try one at your next party!
We’ve included some products for you to get started but if you want others, do check out our online grocery store list for your shopping.
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