Cheese Boards & Entertaining: Gourmet Ideas for Alfresco & Summer Menus

Cheese Boards & Entertaining: Gourmet Ideas for Alfresco & Summer Menus

Summer is the perfect time for entertaining, and what better way to impress your guests than with a stunning cheese board? Whether you're hosting a casual get-together or a sophisticated dinner party, a curated selection of cheeses can elevate any alfresco menu. In this blog post, we explore gourmet cheese board ideas, focusing on two exceptional cheeses perfect for summer entertaining: Belgian Charmoix Raw Cow Cheese and Bleu d'Auvergne Lait Cru. These cheeses offer diverse flavor profiles and textures, ensuring a delightful experience for your guests.

The Art of Cheese Board Construction: A Step-by-Step Guide

Crafting the perfect cheese board is more than just arranging cheeses on a platter; it's an art form. It involves thoughtful consideration of textures, flavors, colors, and the overall aesthetic appeal. Here's a step-by-step guide to constructing a truly memorable cheese board:

• Choose Your Cheeses Wisely: Begin by selecting a variety of cheeses, considering different milk types (cow, goat, sheep), textures (hard, semi-hard, soft), and flavor profiles (mild, sharp, pungent). Aim for a minimum of three to five cheeses to provide sufficient variety. A good balance would include a hard cheese like the Belgian Charmoix, a soft cheese, and a blue cheese, like the Bleu d'Auvergne.
• Texture is Key: Incorporate cheeses with diverse textures to create an interesting sensory experience. The creamy texture of the Belgian Charmoix contrasts beautifully with the crumbly texture of a good aged cheddar or the creamy yet veined texture of the Bleu d'Auvergne.
• Flavor Harmony: Balance strong, pungent cheeses with milder ones to prevent an overwhelming taste sensation. The Bleu d'Auvergne's bold, tangy flavor profile can be balanced with the nutty sweetness of the Belgian Charmoix and the subtle notes of a goat cheese.
• Visual Appeal: Arrange your cheeses artfully on the board, leaving enough space between each cheese to prevent them from melting together or becoming too crowded. Vary the heights and levels of the cheeses to create visual interest and depth. Consider using different sizes and shapes of serving dishes to create a visually appealing display.
• Strategic Accompaniments: Don't forget the accompaniments! These elements complement the cheeses and add textural and flavor contrasts. Include a variety of crackers, bread (consider baguette slices, crostini, or water crackers), fruits (grapes, figs, apples, pears), nuts (walnuts, almonds, pecans), olives, honey, jams, and even some high-quality mustard or cornichons.
• Strategic Placement: Arrange accompaniments around the cheeses, grouping similar items together. Place softer cheeses towards the center, allowing their flavors to meld without overwhelming the board. Harder cheeses can be strategically placed around the edges.

Showstopping Summer Cheese Boards: Theme Ideas

To further elevate your cheese board, consider creating a theme. This helps to create a cohesive and visually stunning presentation:

• Mediterranean Theme: Combine feta, olives, marinated artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, crusty bread, and a drizzle of olive oil.
• French Countryside Theme: Feature brie, camembert, baguette slices, grapes, figs, and walnuts.
• Italian Feast Theme: Showcase provolone, parmesan, salami, prosciutto, olives, and marinated vegetables.
• Belgian Indulgence: Center the board around Belgian Charmoix, adding Belgian cookies, fruit preserves, and perhaps a Belgian beer for pairing.
• French Blue Heaven: Build the board around Bleu d'Auvergne, pairing it with walnuts, pears, grapes, and a robust red wine.

Belgian Charmoix Raw Cow Cheese: A Creamy, Nutty Delight

The Belgian Charmoix Raw Cow Cheese is a semi-hard cheese with a creamy texture and rich, nutty undertones. Its complex flavor profile, enhanced by its natural rind, makes it a versatile ingredient. Its subtle sweetness and nutty notes make it a perfect complement to fruit, nuts, and a crisp white wine. The rustic character of this cheese lends a touch of elegance to any occasion.

Bleu d'Auvergne Lait Cru: A Bold French Blue Cheese

For those who appreciate a bolder flavor, the Bleu d'Auvergne Lait Cru is an excellent choice. This raw-milk blue cheese from France offers a creamy texture interwoven with distinctive blue veins. Its tangy, complex flavor profile, with earthy and mushroomy notes, adds a sophisticated touch to salads, sauces, and, of course, cheese boards. The sharp, yet creamy texture provides a delightful contrast to the other cheeses on your board.

Pairing Suggestions for Your Summer Cheese Board

The key to a successful cheese board lies in thoughtful pairings. Here are some recommendations for complementing the Belgian Charmoix and Bleu d'Auvergne:

Belgian Charmoix Pairings:

• Fruits: Apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji), pears (Bosc or Anjou), grapes (red or green), figs.
• Nuts: Walnuts, almonds, pecans.
• Breads: Crusty baguette, crackers (water crackers or multigrain).
• Drinks: Crisp white wine (Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio), Belgian beer (Trappist ale).

Bleu d'Auvergne Pairings:

• Fruits: Pears, grapes, figs, dried apricots.
• Nuts: Walnuts, pecans.
• Breads: Toasted baguette slices, crostini.
• Drinks: Robust red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah), Sauternes (sweet white wine).

Conclusion

With careful planning and attention to detail, creating a stunning cheese board becomes a delightful culinary adventure. Remember to experiment with different flavors, textures, and themes to craft the perfect cheese experience for your guests. The Belgian Charmoix Raw Cow Cheese and Bleu d'Auvergne Lait Cru offer exceptional starting points for building a truly memorable cheese board. So gather your ingredients, unleash your creativity, and enjoy the delicious rewards!