We’ve made cheese suggestions, but feel free to mix and match with your favorites.
For the fresh produce, improvise based on what’s available at your market and what’s in season.
When choosing ingredients, think about contrast in texture and flavor as well as visual contrasts and harmony.
Katie Webster
Improvising is always encouraged, but here are our favorite tips for making a perfect summer cheese board.
In the summer, choose summer fruits and garden veggies to build your central structure.
Play with various colors and textures to make it visually interesting.
Katie Webster
I also love to pile on fresh berries.
Both kids and adults appreciate nibbling on the sun-ripened berries.
They contrast well with tangy cheeses.
Katie Webster
I also love husk cherries (pineapple tomatillos) or a bowl of blistered shishito peppers.
I also like to provide one soft-ripened cheese, a harder aged cheese and a fresh cheese.
An elegant way to elevate fresh goat cheese is to roll the cheese in freshly chopped herbs.
Katie Webster
English Cheddar is surprisingly different from many domestic Cheddar cheeses.
Generally speaking, the harder the cheese, the longer it has been aged.
Hard cheeses, such as manchego, are aged for up to two years.
Katie Webster
The region where the cheeses are produced also would be something to consider focusing on for your theme.
Highlighting all French cheeses, for instance, would be a great way to showcase many contrasting varieties.
Add Marinated Olives
Basil adds a fresh, summery vibe to marinated olives.
Katie Webster
Place the olives in a small decorative bowl directly on the cheese board for a visual contrast.
Grill smoked rope sausage according to package instructions over a medium-hot fire until it’s browned and hot.
Rest it for 3 minutes, then slice into bite-size pieces.
Katie Webster
A generous portion of salted nuts is a hearty, crunchy addition to consider.
Just fill in the gaps among the cheeses, fruits and veggies to create a bountiful visual effect.
To grill the baguette, slice it and brush the cut slides with oil.
Katie Webster
Then grill the baguette for a minute or two over a medium-hot fire just until crisped.
Tuck in a Variety of Crackers
Whole-grain crackers are a healthy choice.
Try contrasting shapes of crackers to keep things visually interesting.
Include gluten-free crackers if you or a guest is avoiding gluten.
verify your flowers are grown for eating, as those from flower shops are likely sprayed with pesticides.
Finally, add a sprinkle of chopped herbs if you like.
Mint and chopped flat-leaf parsley work well.
Transfer to a small serving bowl.
Combine 4 tablespoons parsley and chives (or tarragon or chervil) on a small plate.
Add goat cheese and roll to coat in the herb mixture.
Preheat grill to medium-high.
Grill sausage, turning once, until lightly browned and heated through, 6 to 7 minutes.
Let rest for 3 minutes, then cut into bite-size pieces.
Brush the remaining 1 tablespoon oil over both sides of baguette slices.
Grill, turning once, just until crisped, 1 to 2 minutes.
Arrange the cheeses around the fruit and vegetables.
Arrange the sausage, grilled bread and crackers among the cheeses.
Set the bowl of olives on the board.
Fill in the gaps with nuts.
Sprinkle with mint (or parsley) and garnish with edible flowers, if desired.
Don’t forget toothpicks for the sausage, and include cheese knives and a bowl for the olive pits.
- Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient.
