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How do I create a cheese tray?

Asked on 10/8/2012 12:00:00 AM by Kitchen Insider

A cheese tray should have a minimum of three cheeses, and may include other items such as fruits, nuts and/or olives.
When selecting cheeses aim for variety. Try mixing textures (soft, semi-soft, hard and very hard) and flavors (mellow and sharp) to provide an interesting range. Many specialty grocery stores feature a cheese department, don’t be afraid to cheese mongers for suggestions.
Here are a few guides to get you started: Cheese and Fruit Plate, Irish Cheese Plate, The Perfect Cheese Plate
Cheese is easier to slice when it is cold but tastes best at room temperature. Before guests arrive, remove from the refrigerator and unwrap; cover with a cheese dome or upside-down bowl and let stand 30 to 60 minutes.
Arrange cheese on a cheese board or platter with a coordinating knife: spreaders for soft cheeses, a curved blade for hard cheeses, a cheese plane or wide blade for semi-hard cheese and a thin blade for semi-hard cheeses.

Answered on 10/8/2012 12:00:00 AM by