Things You'll Need:
- 4 to 5 types of cheese (see article)
- grapes
- dried fruit (figs, apricots)
- crackers
- whole nuts (walnuts work well)
- a cheese knife or two
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Step 1
First things first: buying the cheese. Most larger supermarkets today have good cheese selections, but if you want some expert guidance, a wine and cheese shop is your best bet.
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Step 2
You will want to choose several different varieties of cheese, so that your platter appeals to all of your guests. A soft cheese (brie, goat cheese) should always be included. A semi-hard cheese (smoked mozzarella is my favorite) will be good for slicing, and a hard cheese (feta, parmesan, aged cheddar) will round out the platter. To add an extra flavor, a blue cheese is a great addition. Don't feel like you have to buy expensive imported blue cheese; a maytag blue or domestic gorgonzola will be perfect.
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Step 3
Crackers: a like to offer 2 different types of crackers. Carr's Table Water Crackers are my standby, and work well with soft cheeses. I also like to have a thicker, biscuit like cracker to go with the harder cheeses.
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Step 4
As far as fruit goes, I like red or concord grapes, but for a fancier occasion, I like champagne grapes. They are very tiny and delicate looking. I also like to add some type of dried fruit for a texture contrast.
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Step 5
When you are arranging your platter, remember: the simpler, the better. Don't cut up all the cheese, leave it in large blocks and just cut off a few pieces of each. Arrange your items in groups. The platter will look much more "finished" this way. By now you should have a beautiful cheese platter that your guests will love!
