The Best Foods To Complement A Cheese Tray

If you are planning a party, what to serve is paramount on your mind. A cheese tray is always a sure-fire crowd pleaser. What to serve with the cheese tray is the next question. We will assume you are using a variety of cheeses. Let’s look at some of the choices.

Fruit
Fresh and dried fruit is an excellent choice to pair up with cheese.  A variety of grapes—red, green, purple, and black—will add color to the white-to-orange colors of the cheeses. Sliced pears, figs, apricots, cherries, and apples are all good choices that will complement the flavors of the cheeses.

Breads
A variety of breads is always a good choice. Offer a selection of white, whole-grain, and sourdough, rye, and pumpernickel breads. Include several types of crackers, and other bread types, such as flatbreads, crostini, bread sticks and baguettes.

Meats
A selection of sliced meats will go well with the other items. Depending on your crowd, you might even offer the choice of some vegetarian “meat” slices. These can be found in your grocer’s health food department.

Vegetables
A nice platter of raw veggies always go with most any party buffet. Carrot and celery sticks, radish roses, broccoli and cauliflower florets are the common raw vegetables. Throw in a few of the more unusual ones such as turnip or jicama sticks. Don’t forget to have plenty of ranch dressing. You can also offer some grilled or marinated veggies for variety.

Condiments
Mayonnaise, spicy mustard, tart chutneys, pico de gallo, salsa, even ketchup, are considered necessities by many people. Sweet preserves and honey provide a bit of a twist. Serve them in pretty bowls, or if the gathering is more informal, the mayo, mustard, ketchup, and honey can go out in squirt bottles. Try some infused honeys, such as orange, pear, or eucalyptus. Even pure maple syrup tastes wonderful with both mild and strong cheeses. Caramelized onions, artichoke hearts, Kalamata olives, or roasted red peppers will add interest to the party buffet.

Nuts
A bowl of raw or smoked almonds, some salted, mixed nuts, pistachios, or even some ordinary salted peanuts make a nice addition to the buffet.

Fruit Bars
Another idea is to serve dried fruit bars. About the size of an energy bars, these combinations of dates, oranges, almonds, plums, or pumpkin are made to be sliced and eaten with cheese.