PARTNER POST – Be inspired to create beautiful cheese boards with Castello cheese. And what goes better with cheese than wine? Enter to win a trip for two to Napa, California.
Everything you need to know to create a successful, balanced cheese board. Plus, a recipe for crunchy cocoa almonds, a delightful addition to your spread.
By Amy Dong
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, there’ll be plenty of couples out there this weekend. But hearts aren’t just for couples. In honor of all the people you love – big, small, young, or old – we’re highlighting our favorite party or date idea. 
It’s ideal for all gatherings throughout the year AND it’s perfect for date night with your person…
(Speaking of which, there’s an awesome giveaway at the end of this post!)
The Perfect Cheese Platter.
I don’t know anyone who doesn’t appreciate a beautiful cheese platter. We break out cheese platters for casual and formal parties. We also crave a good cheese board on date nights, just the 2 of us.
A plethora of ideas live on the internet, but here are our favorite secrets for the Perfect Cheese Platter. Since we’re theming on lists, let’s do it list-style. Plus, I’m kind of a list freak.
12 Tips to the Perfect Cheese Platter:
- Balance the flavors, from strong to mild cheeses (i.e., blue to havarti)
- Balance the textures from soft to hard cheeses (i.e., brie to parmigiano)
- If either #1 or #2 above cause a big question mark, chat with your neighborhood cheese specialist and let them help you figure out what to include.
- Separate knives or serving tools for strong vs. mild cheeses is a good idea. You can even pre-slice some of the cheeses for ease.
- Have a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes of goodies. This includes your cheeses (white brie wheel vs. yellow cheddar wedge)
- Room temperature! Rest your cheeses at room temp 30-60 minutes before serving (unless it’s summer in Texas and you don’t have AC, which is a whole other issue.)
- Other chews besides the cheese. Think fruits, nuts, and seeds. We love dried fruits (i.e., figs) with fresh fruits (grapes.) A mixture of salty and sweet nuts are always popular.
- Meat choices for the men. Or women. Whoever. Point is, many people enjoy salami, prosciutto, bresaola, or my own unique favorite: smoked salmon. YUM.
- Carbs. Don’t forget the crackers, bread, and toasts. Keep it simple; no chipotle-garlic flavored crackers, please.
- What’s your jam? Add some sweet fruit jam or honey to the mix. People love spooning it over their cheese and crackers.
- Spread out the spread. You can have 2 or 3 plates going at the same time, if it’s a larger party. Avoid the platter gridlock.
- Label the cheeses with a toothpick and sticker label. I didn’t here, but when there’s a larger variety of cheeses on my platter, labeling helps.
Oh, wait. Did I say “12 Tips?” I meant 13.
#13: Include a nice bottle of wine. Because we all know wine and cheese is that couple that’s been married for years.
Hubby and I really liked this Folie a Deux zin with the particular cheeses we served. It pairs stunningly with creamy blue cheese, aged havarti, and cured meats.
Now. Go have some FUN and create your own perfect cheese platter.
Now head over to Castello and enter to win trip for two full of wine and cheese Napa! Enter here.
Plus, try making this sweet and spicy carrot chutney, another delicious addition to a cheese board.
Here’s the easy (highly addictive) recipe for the chocolate cocoa almonds shown above.
They are ultra crunchy, lightly sweet, fully chocolatey, and all natural. Perfect for anytime snacking and party app-ing.
Print
Chocolate Cocoa Almonds
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2½ cups 1x
Description
These ultra crunchy, lightly sweet, fully chocolatey cocoa almonds are a delightful addition to any cheese board, perfect for snacking or party appetizers.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups raw (unsalted whole almonds)
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened real cocoa powder
- 1/8 teaspoon fine table salt (plus more as desired)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F, with the rack in the middle position.
- Spread raw almonds into a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet (unlined).
- Bake for 10 minutes, stopping once to shake the pan halfway through the baking time to ensure even roasting.
- Remove almonds from the oven and let them cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, combine powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and salt. Mix well.
- Add the warm almonds to the bowl and toss to coat them evenly with the cocoa mixture.
- Taste and add more salt if desired.
- Let the almonds cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
Serve these cocoa almonds as part of a cheese board for a sweet and crunchy contrast. They can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week. For a spicier version, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cocoa mixture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of cheese work best for the perfect cheese board?
For a balanced cheese board, include a mix of soft, hard, and blue cheeses like Castello Brie, aged Gouda, and a blue cheese to cater to different tastes.
How should I arrange the crunchy cocoa almonds on the cheese board?
Place the crunchy cocoa almonds in a small bowl or scatter them around the cheese to add texture and visual interest, ensuring they are easily accessible for guests.
Is there a recommended wine pairing for the cheeses on the board?
Pair your cheese board with a light white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc, or a fruity red like Pinot Noir, to complement the flavors of the cheese.
