Holiday-Inspired Cheese Board

Cheese Boards are one of my favorite hors d’oeuvres to create anytime I am playing hostess, or even on a weekend afternoon when I’m not quite hungry enough for a full meal but want something tasty to snack on (usually while I’m sipping wine).
I created this holiday-inspired cheese board just in time for Thanksgiving. Whether you’re playing hostess, or invited to a family or friend’s Thanksgiving celebration, this is the perfect appetizer to please a crowd.
I found all of the items I used to make this board at Trader Joe’s & Whole Foods since they have a great selection of cheeses, meats, jams, and other items to create a balance of salty and sweet elements.

I don’t necessarily play by the “rules” when it comes to cheese or charcuterie boards. Some say a proper board needs specific kinds of cheese (soft vs hard) but you can use whatever cheeses you like! Cheddar is a great option because there are so many different types to choose from and they can be found at any grocery store. I really like the “unexpected cheddar” from Trader Joe’s. Even those who aren’t cheddar cheese lover like myself have tried this particular one and are always shocked how well they enjoy it. Another cheese that I find at Trader Joe’s which I’ve been loving lately is the creamy Toscano soaked in Syrah. The taste is mild but a little salty (similar to a Parmesan cheese) and pairs great with an array of wines that you might be serving alongside the cheese board. The purple rind is also a beautiful addition to the fall color scheme I was going for with this board. Lastly, I chose a truffle cheese because, well, truffle! I adore any and all things truffle so when I spotted this cheese I knew I had to give it a try and it is delicious.

I saw a “salami river” created on a cheese board Instagram account and thought it was genius so I recreated it with prosciutto (my personal favorite meat) and love the way it tuned out! For a different textured meat I chose a truffle salami, because once again, truffle!!

I prefer to use a mix of different crackers, usually adding one that is plain and another that is flavored. I recently found these pistachio pomegranate ones at Trader Joe’s and let me tell y’all they have quickly become my new favorite (although I think they may be a seasonal item, the raisin rosemary can be found year round and also taste great!)

Fig jam is something I keep in my fridge at all times, but you can certainly substitute it for any other type of jam you may like or that is in season. (Pepper jellies are a popular one in my family).

Olives are a great salty component for a cheese board. Whole Foods actually has an olive bar near their specialty cheese section so I usually swing by there and grab a few variations. On this board, I mixed sun dried tomato stuffed olives with garlic stuffed olives because those are a few of my favorite. If you’re not a fan of olives you can always substitute them for any type of salty nut you prefer.

To stick with the holiday theme on this board, I also added some candied pecans for a sweet and crunchy element.

To top off this board, I added some sprigs of rosemary. Not only does it give a colorful touch but also adds the smell of fresh rosemary. I added some fresh cranberries for color component. You could even add pomegranates, or whatever berries you may have on hand. Strawberries are a great option especially if you’re adding a Brie to your board as they compliment each other well.

Other cheeses that aren’t included but I use frequently are blue cheese (like a Gorgonzola), Brie, and smoked Gouda. Some people don’t care for Blue cheese so when I’m making a board for a crowd who’s likes/dislikes I’m unsure of, I top it with honey to enhance the flavor! It’s amazing to me how many people that don’t like blue cheese will not only be willing to try it, but usually end up loving it, when it’s topped with honey.

Don’t be afraid to mix and match a variety of different items in one bite!! You can start with a cracker, add some jam, then a piece of cheese and top it with a meat of your choice (that’s the kind of bite I go for anyway) or you can keep it simple by trying a cracker topped with one item.

I would love to see what kind of cheese board y’all come up with! Remember, there is no right or wrong way to make a cheese board! Get creative and please tag me if you post to Instagram @TheGlobalSojourner.