How to Arrange a Simple Cheese Tray
Learning how to arrange a simple cheese tray is a life skill that will help you entertain for years to come!
How to Arrange a Simple Cheese Tray
When entertaining, a cheese tray is one of the simplest appetizers you can serve. But it takes more than slapping a rectangle of Velveeta and sleeve of Ritz on a plate. With a little finesse, you can take some basic supermarket finds to create a delicious, enticing cheese board.ย Below are a few hints onย How to Arrange a Simple Cheese Tray.
Necessitiesย for Your Cheese Tray
Here’s what you need:
- A wooden board or tray, ceramic plate or other attactive serving dish (I used this rectangular “slate” platter from Sur la Table).
- Cheeses…at least 2, but 3 or more if serving a crowd. Vary tastes and textures. Use a couple cow’s milk cheeses and add a goat’s or sheep’s milk cheese. I like to include a soft buttery cheese like Brie, Camembert or Cambozola (which is a combination of a triple creme cheese and Gorgonzola), a blue (if not using a Cambozola), and a firm mild cheese, like cheddar, fontina (ones my hubby will eat) on each cheese tray.
- Cheese knives…use one for each cheese if available
- Something sweet…I used fresh figs on this tray, but freshย fruits like apple or pear slices or dried fruits also work well with cheeses. Quince paste is a more unusual addition…it works well with Manchego.
- Nuts add a nice crunch…use your favorites
- Crackers or toasts
More Tips:
Make sure to bring your cheeses to room temperature before serving. Taking the cheeses out of the fridge an hour or two before serving will bring them to the proper temperature. I arrange the cheeses on the board first, then fill in the empty spaces with piles of fruits, nuts or even meats. For this party, I wanted more of an antipasto platter and used Prosciutto, Genoa salami, Cambozola, Manchego and Fontina. Roasted red peppers with a drizzle of balsamic and extra virgin olive oil plus a bowl of Mediterranean olives completed this appetizer offering.
I hope this has given you some ideas or inspiration. What combination of cheeses is your favorite when entertaining?
52 Comments on “How to Arrange a Simple Cheese Tray”
You have taken the mystery out of what I thought was an intimidating arrangement. I love to order these when we go out but haven’t yet to put one together at home, except for wheat thins and cheddar. ๐
I could munch on this instead of dinner any day:@)
Such a beautiful presentation Liz and how did you know I’ve had a taste for figs!
I love how you arrangue all Lizzy! I love cheese and when some friends come to house we love to make a cheeese tray to serve with different wines!!!
xo
How pretty. This would make it a party even if you were alone! ๐
Great info post. I have no problem picking the cheeses but making a pretty plate like yours is a challenge. Nice inspirations.
I’ve always wondered about this, Liz.
Looks Fabulously divine! Xx
Nice! Like the addition of the figs.
That is one gorgeously arranged cheese tray! Love the figs too.
What a gorgeous looking cheese platter! Love the figs here Liz. Beautiful!
Dear friend Liz.
Please my friend, let this whole tray for me. I love everything that’s in it and it would be a great feast to eat it with a glass of wine. All very nice and delicious.
kisses
So pretty! We got a few cheese boards for our wedding and I’ll be sure to use your tips when we have company over ๐
I saw this on Fabulous Food Blog Recipes and had to come check it out. I’m hosting a wine drinking party in the fall (we will not merely taste and spit out, we’ll be drinking) and I’d like to serve a cheese tray.
I like the ideas, and will think about what fresh fruits will be in season once my date arrives–may have to make some preserves.
Thanks!
This is a WONDERFUL post, and I love your gorgeous cheese tray with beautifully arranged foods! I also love the color of the tray itself. Love the dark color which food will stand out more.
love this!! it all looks so delicious!
What a great post! My favorite combination of cheeses is one Brie, one blue and a sheep’s milk, although I sometimes experiment, too. I love putting out fig preserves with the blue, and if there’s a cheddar in the mix, I think chutney works well. And grapes are always a nice addition!
I love an elegant cheese tray. This one looks really delicious and I love the figs.
i love the way you decorate it…
Love your presentation, especially the figs! Now the only question is, when’s your next party? ๐
What a beautiful cheese tray and I especially love the figs! I would be back to this cheese tray many times! ๐