Last week, we invited my friend Andrea and her husband to dinner. I’m not sure who told her that the quickest way to my heart is to bring me blue cheese and honeycomb…but it worked. Now, Andrea also happens to be a major foodie and professional pastry chef, so it’s no wonder she appreciates the awesomeness that is Bayley Hazen Blue. The combination of the nutty buttery cheese with sweet fresh honeycomb from Savannah Bee was the starting point for this perfect cheese plate that A & I enjoyed in front of the fire on Saturday night. I added wedges of sharp vermont cheddar and aged parmigiano reggiano, black pepper water crackers and marcona almonds (heaven!), poured glasses of sauvignon blanc and I’m telling you, it really doesn’t get better. Keep reading for more images and a few of my tips on creating the perfect cheese plate of your own…
The honeycomb that started it all…
The fantastic thing about a cheese plate is that the “perfect” combination varies based on seasonality and what happens to be in my fridge…the possibilities really are endless! A few rules of thumb:
- Serve one to two ounces of cheese per person.
- Let the cheese sit at room temp for an hour before serving – flavors are enhanced when the cheese isn’t cold.
- Include a mix of fresh, aged, soft and hard cheeses.
- Arrange—and sample—the cheeses starting with the freshest and lightest, ending with the ripest and most intense.
- Talk to the people in the cheese department – see what their current faves are!
- Try adding pears, dried cherries, walnuts and soft baguette to dress up up the plate and add a variety of flavors to complement the cheese.
AND, while I was working on this post, I asked for all of your best tips on Facebook & Twitter. Here are some of the amazing tips your fellow readers shared…and don’t forget to leave me a comment and let me know what your favorite cheese tray additions are!
Oh man, that honey comb paired with the cheese. YUM! Great pictures and styling!! I want cheese and grapes now!
Camille those pictures have made me starving for cheese!!! I themed a whole date just so that I could have a cheese board: http://reallyprettyinteresting.blogspot.com/2011/10/paris-je-taime.html
and if you are a fan of red and can get hold of Les Jamelles Syrah (shiraz) then it is utterly delicious with a cheese plate! And as for my favourite condiment? Quince jelly – every time.
xx
I feel so famous – Thanks for including me, Camille!
I should note that “my” tip actually came from a good friend – the cheese buyer for Truckee CA’s (Lake Tahoe) New Moon Foods… So thanks to Aaron, too!
P.S. What an awesome job THAT is… (He picks the beer, too.)
Love these selections of cheeses. I also love orange blossom honey as an addition to my cheese plates…:)
oh that sounds incredible…I love orange blossom anything!!
Thanks for the shout out, Camille! This post has me dying for a cheese plate right now. Lunch? I think yes!
I love following you here and on Facebook and Twitter, such great style and inspiration. You can find me on my Houston-based event design/rental company’s soon to launch website and blog in just a few days! @astylecollectiv http://www.astylecollective.com
xo,
Kirbi Knop @kirbiknop
Awesome! Can’t wait to follow along!
I will definitely reference this the next time I have a get-together for wine and cheese. Thanks for the quote, Camile!
Whitney
@whitneycf
I love the new look of your site!!!! It’s gorgeous. The cheese plate looks delish too!
Camille! Your new look is FAB-U-LOUS! The perfect evolution of the old site, with the hint of turquoise blue from your old header in the scroll over navigation. Great job!
Thanks Will…you amaze me with your powers of observation. Good eye… and much appreciated!!
I love cheese and your platter is gorgeous. I love addition of the honeycomb!
Love your new site, too!
I LOVE cheese, and your gorgeous photos are sooooooo appetizing! For me it’s all about chutney/pickles/relishes with cheese, here’s a recent post of mine for Beetroot, chilli & balsamic relish along with a picture of a cheeseboard chez moi! http://www.well-seasoned.co.uk/2011/11/roast-beetroot-chilli-balsamic-relish.html
That sounds amazing – thanks for sharing!!!
Going to the kitchen now to make a cheese platter looks delicious Camille Love love cheese
Aw thanks for including me! Try it!
I love all cheese, but brie will always hold a special place in my heart.
Ditto – served warm and topped with sweet chutney…brie is hard to beat.
Oh! You be me to the punch… me too!
So happy to hear the honeycomb was a hit! I’m going to have to get myself some now so I can replicate your ultimate plate!
Andrea
It was A-MAZING. Thank you again for being the perfect dinner party guest!