Christmas Countdown: The Perfect Cheeseboard

Christmas in my house is all about food. Okay, it’s all about family getting together, but after that it is all about food. One of my favourite parts of Christmas (and indeed any other time of the year that I can manage to slot one in) is a cheeseboard.

There’s something so luxurious about a cheeseboard and it can add the perfect Christmas wow factor with very minimal effort. Here we discuss some of our ideas for the perfect cheeseboard this festive season.

Flavoured Cheeses Everyone loves a standard cheese, be it a softer creamier cheese or a harder, stronger cheese, but there’s also nothing wrong with sprucing up your usual collection with some classic flavour combinations. The addition of garlic and herbs, a hint of chilli, nuttiness or cranberry - these flavours can add an extra depth to your usual selection, a little bit of warmth or sweetness to accompany your usual classic cheeses.

Serve it Hot

Cheeseboards don’t just have to be a cold affair and there’s nothing better than warm, gooey, creamy cheese to give you the ultimate sense of luxury. Whether is a baked Camembert, a baked Brie or you pull out all of the stops with a fondue, this is a great way to add that extra “something” to your cheeseboard. Why not mix it up with chutneys, relishes or glazes - there’s something about a chilli jam and a Camembert or a caremalised onion relish to go with your Brie. You could choose a classic combination with the seasonal accompaniment of cranberry or, for the nut lovers, a sprinkling of pecans, walnuts or mixed nuts to add extra texture and flavour.

Go Local?

There are some great local and regional cheeses around that are, not only delicious, but can provide you with the opportunity to help out a local business this Christmas. With markets and food fairs cancelled, some big business opportunities have been lost, so what better time to see what local farm shops and stores have on offer.

Don’t forget the extras

A Christmas cheeseboard is not ALL about the cheese. Whilst it plays a significant role, there are so many added extras that make a cheeseboard or perhaps the better term is “platter”, the star of the show. So what accompaniments should you look at getting ahead of the big day?

Crackers and Biscuits

This year, I accidentally ordered a 900g tub of crackers. That is quite possibly too many crackers, but I do stand by that a good cheeseboard should be made up of a variety of biscuit based goods. From oatcakes and crackers, to rye breads and flatbreads, getting a selection in a wide range of flavours, shapes and textures adds a great depth to your cheeseboard and ensures that there’s something for everyone.

Meats

If you’re a meat eater then a selection of meats or seafood are a perfect accompaniment to a cheeseboard. Classic meats like prosciutto, salami, serrano and chorizo are always crowd pleasers and always look great spread out on the platter. Prawns are also a great “tapas” style accompaniment to your cheeseboard and they’re so versatile, you can flavour them in so many different ways. The beauty is you can tailor the meats to your guests, be it more traditionally English meats, continental meats, or a mixture of both, you really can’t go wrong!

Bread

Yes, we’ve already mentioned crackers and biscuits, but bread is an essential to any cheeseboard, especially if melted cheese is involved. I think, for a cheeseboard, crusty breads are best, be it baguettes or bloomers, or my personal favourite, a ciabatta. Crusty bread adds an extra texture and is much easier to handle than other breads.

Other additions

Now that you have the main base of your cheeseboard, you can think about those little added extras that just bring that little bit extra. Through different flavours of chutney and pickles, to chilli jams and a variety of nuts. You could include different fruits and vegetables, stuffed tomatoes or peppers and olives, as well as snacks like breadsticks and pretzels. This is a real chance for you to get creative and add a few little surprises for your guests/family members, especially if you can fit in some of their favourites!

We hope you have an amazing Christmas, and if you do have a cheeseboard this year, make sure to send us your pictures!