20 Things to Serve with Your Cheese Board {That Aren't Crackers, Sliced Apples & Grapes}
Get out of the cheese board crackers-and-apples-and-grapes rut with this list of 20 things to serve with your cheese board. There's sure to be an idea or three you'll love!
Whether it's a large holiday gathering, game day spread, small cocktail party, or intimate dinner gathering with friends, when it comes to entertaining there's nothing easier and more beloved than a good ol' cheese board. A great cheese board looks elegant, can be assembled quickly, is versatile, and pairs with anything. Not to mention, it can be scaled in quantity to match any size gathering. What's not to love, right?
But there is one problem with the old-standby cheese platter ... it's so easy to get stuck in rut with your cheese board offerings.
I mean, there's nothing wrong with serving up a selection of cheeses with the usual crackers, sliced apples, and grapes ... but if you'd like to think a bit outside the usual box, consider mixing it up with one {or a few} of these ideas for 20 things to serve with your cheese board ... that aren't crackers, sliced apples or grapes.
Crackers & Breads:
1. Crusty Baguette - Give me a sliced baguette and a chunk of creamy brie, and I'd be content for days. Baguette is my favorite accompaniment for my cheese tray!
2. Warm Pita Bread - Pop pitas in a warm oven for a minute or two, cut into triangles & serve.
3. Naan Flatbread - Look for Naan flatbread in the deli section of the grocery store. Tear into rustic pieces for a great base for your cheeses.
4. Bread Sticks - Crispy boxed bread sticks are fun ... and beautiful ... to serve up in a glass jar or tall drinking glass alongside your cheese board.
Fruits:
5. Dates - The sweetness of dates pairs beautifully with mild cheeses.
6. Sliced Pears - Skip the apples and slice up some juicy fresh pears instead!
7. Fresh Raspberries - One of my favorites to include ... not only delicious, but pretty decoration for the tray, too. I like to scatter them in small piles throughout the cheese tray.
8. Fresh or Dried Figs - Nothing beats fresh, in-season figs ... but dried work great, too, when fresh aren't available. {Or, serve up some fig preserves instead ... it's especially great spooned over brie.}
9. Dried Apricots - My husband's favorite cheese board accompaniment.
10. Apple Chips - Just can't have your cheese without apples? ... Go with apple CHIPS! We just love their apple-y crunch. Look for them in bags at your local grocery store.
Savories:
11. Warm Marcona Almonds - Drizzle with a tiny touch of olive oil and sprinkle with a bit of salt ... then pop 'em in the oven for just a few minutes. One of the tastiest simple little bites around!
12. Candied Pecans - A little touch of savory-and-sweet all together. Buy them already prepared, or easily whip them up yourself with this Candied Pecans recipe.
13. Spiced Nuts - There's a great variety of spiced nuts available in stores, or make your own. Two of our favorites to make ourselves are Barbecue Roasted Mixed Nuts and Chai-Spiced Mixed Nuts.
14. Salted Cashews - You just can't go wrong with a bowlful of beautiful salted cashews!
15. Olives mixed, marinated, or warm - Toss together several varieties of olives in a pretty bowl, choose a jar of marinated olives, or quickly toss together {my favorite} Warm Rosemary Olives for a colorful & tasty pairing for your cheeses.
Condiments:
16. Pesto - Especially good to spread a little on a baguette slice and top with a mild or medium-flavored cheese.
17. Mixed Olive Tapenade - Serve up those olives in spreadable form! Many great tapenades are available at the store ... or, quickly whip up your own Mixed Olive Tapenade in the food processor. It's so easy.
18. Apricot Jam - Tasty with so many cheese varieties! Don't care for apricot? Choose raspberry, blueberry, blackberry ... or your favorite ... instead.
19. Marmalade - A hint of orange marmalade pairs wonderfully with many cheeses.
20. Honey - Last but not least, my ABSOLUTE favorite thing to pair with cheese ... honey! A drizzling of honey over blue cheese or stilton? ... it's divine.
What other creative ideas have you got for things to serve with your cheese board? Share with us in the comments below!
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