For the past many years (I’m thinking 10?) we have hosted a friendly wine and cheese competition with family around the holidays. It’s become an event that all 15+ of us look forward to. The first few years, the competition was incorporated into Thanksgiving, and then it was part of our Christmas celebrating.
Here’s the basics of how we run it: Everyone who participates brings a wine of their selection (we used to require a wine from a different country) and a cheese. We do a blind taste test for both and keep score. The person with the highest cheese AND wine scores in total win. Hint: Anyone who brought stinky cheese has never won, no matter how amazing their wine.
As hosts, Andy and I pay a lot of attention to the details (because, let’s be honest, we love it). One of the areas we try to make pretty is the cheese plate. Not only do we serve the cheese entries, but a fantastic cheese platter requires some sides as well.
Here are our tips for a tasty cheese board!
-Add something sweet like fresh fruit. My go-to are green apples (for their sweet and tart taste) and grapes.
-Add something as a cheese ‘vehicle’. Bread and crackers are my go-tos.
-Add something spreadable. I love a chutney or red pepper jelly.
-Add some meat. This is optional, but having a savoury bite of salami, prosciutto or pate is a nice addition.
Don’t forget that presentation is important! I love this Christmas Tree Cheese Board on the Kraft Canada website. In fact, they have a lot of tasty ideas for cheese platters and molds.
#dinner A photo posted by Rebecca S (@bitofmomsense) on
Remember to experiment with your platter and have fun.
NOTE: Cheese platter = a complete meal during the holiday season 😉
Disclosure: This post is part of my partnership with Kraft Canada as a What’s Cooking contributor and I receive compensation to participate. Opinions are my own. And I haven’t won the wine and cheese competition because I never officially enter. I am the pourer/hostess instead 😉
What a fantastic idea! Sounds like a great party :).
we have a blast!