Cheese is quintessential for a gourmet meal. When aiming for a mouthwatering meal, remember that various elements of your meal will make the difference between a gourmet and a regular meal. One of these is the presentation of your meal.
Making a cheese platter is no mean feat, and most people assume it requires a renowned chef to pull off. With a few guidelines, however, you can have the best-looking cheese platter on your table. The first step is picking the right variety for your table from cheese stores in Wisconsin.
This is a variety that will match or generate a perfect contrast with the colors, textures, and tastes of the other foods you will be serving. No cheese platter will, however, be complete without the right accompaniment. Here are the accompaniments you can pick for your cheese platter.
Balsamic Vinegar
This comes from Italy and is made through a reduction process of unfermented grape juice. Authentic balsamic vinegar is aged for 12–50 years, much like wine. It is drizzled over your cheese, or the cheese dipped in it so that the vinegar’s flavor does not overpower the cheese.
You should be careful when buying balsamic vinegar since there are a lot of fakes on the market. It pairs well with aged hard cheeses such as Goudas, Parmigiano-Reggiano and Pecorino Romano.
Bread
Most bread, including sourdough, nut bread, artisan rye, and crusty French baguettes will pair well with cheese provided their flavor does not overpower that of the cheese. Crusty bread will pair well with parmesan, blue and Brie cheeses while rye bread matches Gouda, gruyere and cheddar cheeses. There are virtually countless ways of pairing bread and cheese, so pick a combination that will appeal to your guests.
Crackers
These are the traditional choice for cheese pairing, whether as a dessert, appetizer, or snack. Dried-fruit and nut-studded crackers will make a perfect combination with brie and goat cheese.
The olive oil flavors of oven crackers, on the other hand, pair well with aged cheeses such as cheddar, Gouda, and gruyere while sweet oil flavored crackers will pair with Spanish cheese and soft triple crème cheeses. Those looking for a plain olive flavor can pick olives rather than flavored crackers.
Jellies and Jams
Though jam comprises fruit juice, jelly is made from crushed fruit or pulp. The flavor ranges for jellies and jams are vast, and you will find those for everyday fruits to exotic ones like papaya and dragon fruit. Citrus-flavored jams and jellies are ideally paired with rind cheeses like Livarot and Epoisses.
The jam and jellies will also feature different preserves and from fruit chunks or peels. Fig preserves are served with intense cheese flavors like blue cheese. Raspberry preserves, on the other hand, will add a tart and sweet flavor that balances fresh goat cheeses.
Most people will only think of wine when they hear of cheese pairings. There is, however, no limit to what accompaniments you can use with your cheese.
You should still be careful to make the best possible impression on your guests with the best accompaniments for your cheese. The above tidbits will significantly ease your choices of the best possible cheese accompaniments.
