holiday cheeseboard ideas + a simple winter tablescape
I invested this year in more Christmas spirit than I have in recent times. 2020 begs for extra cheer. We’ve all traversed struggle even if the big events haven’t directly touched us: certainly true for me. I rang Christmas in straight after Thanksgiving, starting with a redesign of our dining table and continuing with a Friday game night cheeseboard I think you’ll adore for your holiday small gathering.
My Cheeseboard Essentials
The quintessential component of a cheeseboard is, shocker, the cheese. I’m sure many a fromagier has something to say about how to pair certain slices, but I simply go for what I think tastes scrumptious and satisfies also whoever I might serve.
One hard and one soft cheese balances a board for me. I used a triple cream Gouda and a mushroom Brie, but a good log of cranberry chevre, toscana, and asiago could feature on any future board I might create.
Meats are endless but prosciutto is king of the cheeseboard in my view. I personally do not eat meat, so cold smoked salmon or trout is a must and you might be surprised to learn how well it pairs with some cheeses! I stacked a cracker with a chunk of gouda and wrapped it all in some everything bagel-seasoned lox. So good.
Fruits and vegetables come next. I cannot make a cheeseboard sans grapes. For some brine, a variety or two of olives find its merry way into a bowl. Marinated artichokes, sliced apples or pear, sundried tomatoes, dried or fresh figs are some other popular ideas.
Nuts I typically use sparingly, but J’s dad made some candied pecans for Thanksgiving so I threw a generous handful onto this one. They were quite the hit! Salted almonds, creamy cashews, hazelnuts, and macadamia nuts I’d love to try.
Jams and spreads, my favorites! I used strawberry preserve and honey to drizzle atop the brie (much yes), and I’m a sucker for a good olive tapenade or bruschetta sauce.
Crackers are the boats for your edible passengers. I like multigrain crackers since they pack more of a flavor bite than plain water crackers, and Trader Joe’s makes an excellent Trail Mix variety with seeds, raisins, and grains. Next time I might try some toasted crostinis or pita crackers.
Set Your Table
Green and gold feature in my color scheme this year. I am not an elaborate decorator and most things I choose with a strict adherence to budget. The great news is, you need very little to achieve a stunning tablescape.
I bought a collection of loose pine branches from Trader Joe’s for about $4 or so, and arranged them across the center as the main focal point. Around those I placed two taper candles – the holders are antiques and I don’t know where I found them at all! – a couple of tea candles from Ikea, a snowman candleholder from Bath and Body Works (no longer sold sadly) and a glitter tree also from Trader Joe’s. That rounded out my centerpiece.
For each seat, which is only two for us, I set an appetizer plate, a salad plate, and a dinner plate beneath a simple gold lined napkin and these adorable pine napkin rings which caught my eye immediately despite my having never used napkin rings before for a tableset. Makes sprucing up a napkin much easier for someone who can’t fold fabric to save her life.
These wine glasses were love at first sight: I adore ones with the sharper bends at the bottom. Great terminology, I know. I bought the pastry forks from an estate sale but these are similar, albeit not gold, and the other gold utensils I purchased here. See? Nothing that eats the budget alive. I thrive on lowkey, easy to find pieces.
J and I eat dinner with different utensils than the designated Christmas lineup, but everything I’ve set hangs out nearby. For our Christmas dinner we’ll pull all the stops, play some classical, and enjoy a big feast, but for now we’re satisfied merely having its company. I think I’ll lament a little once the Christmas decorations come down. This holiday, despite being full of asterisks, felt a bit more special and sacred, perhaps because I watched more people make an effort to climb out of their own trenches and into a spirited mood.
If you were limited to only two types of cheese for the rest of your life, which would they be? I’d opt for goat cheese and mozzarella, I think! Leave a comment with your thoughts on the cheeseboard and tablescape and don’t forget to wave hello on Instagram!
Need a delicious gift idea or another spread for your holiday gathering? Check out my 2020 Holiday Cookie Box!
Ingredients
- 1 serving tray
- 2 blocks cheese. I chose one hard (triple cream Gouda) and one soft (Brie with mushrooms)
- assorted cold cut meats, like prosciutto and smoked salmon
- assorted nuts, 1-2 types, I chose candied pecans
- assorted dried and fresh fruits, such as grapes and sundried tomatoes
- assorted veggies, such as marinated grilled artichokes, stuffed or mixed olives
- assorted fruit preserves or jams, such as strawberry jam and honey
- assorted crackers, such as multigrain water crackers, stoneground wheat, or your favorites
- 2 servings chocolate, such as truffles or bark
Instructions
- If you intend to cube or cut your cheese into smaller portions, do so while the cheese is cold. Arrange cheese toward the center of the board. Surround with fresh and dried fruits, meats, veggies, nuts, jams and spreads. Lay crackers on the perimeter of the cheeseboard.
- Serve the cheeseboard at room temperature. I allowed mine to sit on the dining table for about 30 minutes before diving in!
