How to Put Together a Cheese and Meat Plate

by Dorothy Reinhold on December 3, 2014


Print This Post Print This Post How to Put Together a Cheese and Meat Plate | Charcuterie Platter Directions | ShockinglyDelicious.com

Who has ever been able to resist the cheese platter at a party? I can’t. I sidle over to see what interesting things are on it, what cheeses I’ve never tasted, what little tidbits might entice me. I linger there. I walk away, but I always come back.

It’s such a fun idea that sometimes I’ll even make one for dinner. Each person can pick and choose, creating little bites that suit their craving, layering tiny slices of specialty cheese and meat onto crackers or small slices of bread, nibbling here and there.

Are you hungry yet?

Let’s toss together a cheese and meat platter that will be worthy of any occasion!

The folks at Kerrygold Cheese and Butter sent over a selection of their cheeses to start us off, and what a fine collection of special cheeses it is. Kerrygold is so well known for their cows roaming the Irish countryside munching natural grasses that they have their own hashtag — #KFgrassfed. If you search for that hashtag on social media, you’ll get lots of culinary ideas.

Kerrygold Cheese on ShockinglyDelicious.comTake a look at what I had to choose from!

With that start, I opened the pantry and the refrigerator to see what else I could add to make the plate interesting. Here’s what I came up with.

Pantry items for cheese and meat plate on ShockinglyDelicious.comAnd if you are serving cheese, you must have wine. I never know what people prefer, so it is great to have a variety on hand.

Wente Vineyards wines on ShockinglyDelicious.comThis selection from Wente Vineyards touches all the bases and should cover your needs. Although I generally prefer a crisp white wine with cheese, I can be persuaded to do a gutsy red, especially with cheese this flavorful. I’m easy that way. Or hey, there’s no rule that says you can’t serve beer!

Cute serving dishes for cheese and meat plate on ShockinglyDelicious.comAnd finally, hunt around your cabinets to see what fun little serving dishes you have on hand. These were hanging around amusing me (the glass pants had toothpicks in it; the cat on her back had sugar packets in it). Put them to good temporary use on your platter; no need to buy anything new.

Here’s what my finished platter looked like!

How to put together a Cheese and Meat platter on ShockinglyDelicious.com I ended up using:

Cheese

  • Kerrygold Dubliner Cheese with Irish Stout (green wax exterior; my new favorite!)
  • Kerrygold Aged Cheddar Cheese with Irish Whiskey (purple wax exterior)
  • Kerrygold Aged Cheddar (rectangle cheese)

Meat and savory

  • Salame
  • Prosciutto
  • Olives (these are organic Greek Kalamon Olives from Arianna Trading Company, water cured and without a trace of bitterness, a favorite of mine)

 Crunch

  • Pretzels (for crunch! Or wrap some prosciutto around them)
  • Raisin Rosemary Crisps (this is Trader Joe’s brand, but there are several different makers of these awesome crackers)
  • Cranberry Clean Snax with Chia and Flaxseed (crunchy, just slightly sweet healthy bites)

Sweet

You could include more things…

  • smoked almonds
  • another cheese and meat
  • sliced baguette
  • crispy Korean pear slices

…let your imagination roam. Or pare it down to fewer; your choice.

Kerrygold Cheese on cheese and meat plate on ShockinglyDelicious.comWhat do YOU put on YOUR party cheese platter?

Disclosure: Kerrygold sent the cheeses for recipe development, Arianna Trading Company sent the olives, Melissa’s Produce sent the Clean Snax and Wente sent the wine. As always, I only write about things I love.

{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }

Sally January 15, 2015 at 10:37 am

Hi Dorothy, Your speaking my language. This is one of our favorite things to do for dinner. Since you asked, here’s a look at one of our cheese and meat spreads. One of my favorite things to add is quince paste. It goes great with cheese!
http://www.tableanddish.com/fall-picnic-table-dish/
Sally

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Dorothy Reinhold January 15, 2015 at 10:44 am

Sally, yours looks astounding! I haven’t yet tried quince paste, although I have seen it. Must buy and try now!

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Sippitysup December 4, 2014 at 9:52 am

It’s the sweet nips (like persimmon and apple butter) that bring this platter to new heights. GREG

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Dorothy Reinhold December 4, 2014 at 10:43 am

Thank you, Greg!

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sallyBR December 4, 2014 at 8:55 am

great post! I am salivating just looking at your final arrangement….

usually I go with one creamy cheese such as Brie, one blue type like Gorgonzola, several hard cheeses, love Manchego…. one goat cheese for good measure. 😉

grapes and green apples, crackers, bread, some nuts and olives…. and life is good!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold December 4, 2014 at 10:44 am

Sally,
Love your plan. I would happily share that with you. 🙂

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Leslie December 4, 2014 at 8:15 am

Wonderful. Having a cocktail party next weekend and am looking for ideas for a cheese platter!

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Dorothy Reinhold December 4, 2014 at 10:45 am

Leslie,
Try that Kerrygold. It’s cheese of the Gods. And Fuyu persimmons are exactly in season, just for YOU!

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Christiane ~ Taking On Magazines December 4, 2014 at 6:05 am

I can’t see one item on that cheese platter that I wouldn’t adore. I’ve never tried Fuyu persimmon though, so I’d definitely have to give that a go.

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Dorothy Reinhold December 4, 2014 at 10:45 am

Christiane,
You MUST try a Fuyu. You eat them crisp, like an apple. The flavor is outstanding!

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Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts December 3, 2014 at 6:07 pm

The meat and cheese tray is always the center of the party. Everyone crowds around, and having the best is so important. great tips!

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Dorothy Reinhold December 4, 2014 at 10:46 am

Thanks Erin! I definiately fight my way to it at the party!

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Michelle @ The Complete Savorist December 3, 2014 at 12:30 pm

I love this…you’ve put together a great spread. I’ve pinned it for my holiday parties! Thank you.

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Dorothy Reinhold December 4, 2014 at 10:47 am

Thanks Michelle,
It’s so fun to put one of these together. You just get to play.

Reply

Sweet and Simple by April December 3, 2014 at 11:37 am

I love a good cheese platter and Kerrygold is one of my favorite brands of cheese yum!

Reply

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