Cheese platters should have a variety of hard and soft cheeses.
A cheese platter offers a selection of cheese varieties in large chunks or bite-size pieces and is conventionally served as part of a buffet. While a cheese platter can include any cheese you favor, it typically contains a variety of colors, textures and flavors to satisfy the palates of multiple guests.
Cheese Selections
For a traditional dinner or holiday gathering, choose five cheeses for the cheese platter. A typical selection includes a fresh goat milk cheese, a soft or semi-soft cow's or sheep's milk cheese, a washed rind cheese, a hard cheese like cheddar and a blue cheese, all of which are easy to find at specialty cheese shops, supermarket cheese sections or delis.
Category Choices
Each cheese classification contains options. The goat cheese should be rindless or have a white, edible rind. Selections coated with herbs add aesthetic appeal to the platter. For the second selection, choose a rich double-cream, which is slightly sweet, a Camembert or a Brie de Meaux. To complement the sweetness of the second, cheese the third cheese needs to be pungent, with or without a washed rind. Taleggio is a good choice, as are comparable, stinky triple cream varieties that a cheesemonger should be able to suggest. Cheddar, either imported or domestic, makes a good fourth cheese with its familiar taste and texture, but any hard cheese such as aged Gouda, Swiss, Gruyere or Emmenthaler will do. Select a mild, creamy textured blue cheese like Maytag or Stilton for the final cheese.
Presenting the Cheese
Face the cheese before arranging it on the platter. This requires cutting a thin slice from the cut sides of the cheese to give it a fresh appearance, which may not be necessary if you purchase the cheese the same day. Use a platter large enough to comfortably display the cheeses without crowding. Face the cut sides toward the edge of the plate and label the cheeses with place cards or tags attached to decorative toothpicks. Cut a piece or two of each cheese so guests know how they should be carved. Bring the cheeses to room temperature. This usually takes about 30 minutes for soft cheeses and up to two hours for hard varieties.
Accompaniments
Serve an assortment of breads on a separate plate near the platter. Include plain, crunchy, crust breads like crostini along with nut- or fruit-infused bread slices. Other foods that partner well with cheese include roasted nuts, fruit jams and compotes, honey and sliced or skewered cubes of seasonal fresh fruit.
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