Want to impress your guests? Here are our top tips on how to create the perfect platter and wow your guests
It is not as hard as you may think to create the perfect platter. But there is a bit more to it than just throwing olives, cheese and crackers onto a grazing board. Here, at The Lake House Denmark gourmet vineyard platters are out thing so we have learnt a few things over the years. Whether its for Friday afternoon drinks, a special dinner with friends or a casual get-together a well-curated platter can be the centrepiece of the event. Here are our tips to craft a platter that will impress your guests and tantalise their taste buds.
Choose a Variety of Cheeses.
Cheeses are always perfect on a grazing platter as you can get so many different tastes and textures. Aim for diversity with a mix of hard, soft, blue and aged cheeses. Depending on how many people the platter is for we have at least 2-4 different varieties to please everyone’s tastebuds. Some suggestions are:
Soft: Brie, Camembert, Goats Cheese, Feta
Semi Hard: Havarti, Jarlsberg, Gouda
Hard & Aged: Cheddar, Pecorino, Manchego
Blue: Gorgonzola, Stilton, Roquefort
Add Complementary Accompaniments
There is an endless array of condiments, fruits, veggies and breads that you can include:
Chutneys: our favourites are Vinofood Fig, Apple & Chardonnay Chutney or Vinofood Merlot Wine Jelly. With a touch of sweetness they balance out the flavours of the cheese adding a tangy element.
Fruits & Veggies: In season, fresh fruit adds a juicy contrast to cheese. Think strawberries, grapes, apples and pears. Or dried fruits are also good like raisons, apricots and figs. Olives are great too. Crunchy vegetables are healthy and good for dipping!
Nuts: Almonds, walnuts and cashews add a satisfying crunch and nutty flavour that pairs well with cheeses.
Charcuterie: If the platter needs to be more substantial you can add some cured meats such as prosciutto, salami or chorizo. We love wrapping some prosciutto around a wedge of pear, some blue cheese and a dollop of Fig, Apple and Chardonnay Chutney. Yummy!
Bread and Crackers: A selection of fresh rustic breads and wafers are essential for any platter.
Dips: Some seasonal dips add another flavour level to the platter. Think classic hummus or a more modern sweet potato & cashew.
Presentation Matters
A platter can be on a rustic wooden or marble board. A large pottery platter is also good and the size will all depend on how many guests you are having.
Present the food in a well-thought out arrangement. Leave space between each cheese to make it easy to cut. Avoid putting any items that are juicy near bread or wafers and add garnishes like edible flowers and herbs for a pop of colour and freshness.
Add a cheese knife for each cheese, tongs for any cured meats and small serving spoons for dips and chutneys.
Pair with the Perfect Drinks
The right drink can elevate your platter to new heights. You may have a theme going so drinks that fit your theme are always good. Obviously we pair wine with our platters but you can add a bit of fun with sangria’s or mulled-wine in winter. A selection of beverages is always best.
White wines like Postcard Chardonnay or Postcard Sauvignon Blanc pair well with soft and semi-hard cheeses.
Red wines like Premium Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon or Postcard Merlot are great with hard cheeses.
Creating the perfect platter is all about being creative and aiming for balance and variety. By thoughtfully selecting a range of cheeses and other accompaniments and presenting them beautifully you can create a delightful and memorable experience for you and your guests. Have fun in the process and enjoy!
