Cheese Tray with Olive Rosemary Skewers

Select new and contrasting olive and cheese varieties to add taste and visual interest! For the olives, try Kalamata, large pimiento-stuffed green olives or pitted olive mixes from grocery store olive bars or jars. For the cheese, try Colby-Monterey Jack, dill Havarti, sharp Cheddar, Monterey Jack with jalapeño peppers or cranberry-white Cheddar.

Use thick rosemary sprigs for the skewers so they won't break when you add the olives. Trim the ends of the rosemary stems to a point so slipping the olives on will be easier. You also can use 3- to 4-inch party picks.

Make the olive skewers a day ahead; wrap tightly with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble the cheese tray.

Be sure to use large green olives that are stuffed with pimientos for an added burst of color on this holiday tray. Add extra pieces of pimiento between the skewered olives for more color.