Here is a idea for your next party that is both simple and elegant. It does not require extraordinary amount work and yet you must add quite a bit of thought to the little course of a meal that is called a cheese board. Add one to your next dinner party.

A cheese plate in more than just a tray of cheese. It should be chosen carefully and made in such a way that your guest have their appetites whetted. A cheese platter can be served as almost any course of the meal, appetizer, main course or even desert. Take the following into consideration as you prepare the platter.

When selecting cheese, do not choose more than five or six different cheeses. Select cheeses that are of different textures, appearances and tastes. You can plan your cheese board according to a theme, such as a country, different milks or even the seasons. The tastes on the platter should vary from mild to strong so that your guests can begin with the mildest and move up to the strongest. Make the cheese board visually appealing by using different colors, shapes and sizes of cheese. Fresh fruit can be used to add a color splash.

Accompany the plate with wine and bread. Choose these elements to complement the cheeses that you have selected. Be sure that their flavors are not so strong that they compete with the cheese, but rather complement it. Choose everything so that your guests can appreciate the diversity of the cheese platter. Fruit and nuts will add more subtle flavors to the cheese plate and enhance the flavors of the cheese.

When you present the cheese board, be sure that there are different knives for each type of cheese. You do not want flavors to be mixed. Use a wide flat knife for soft spreadable cheeses and a very sharp knife for the hard cheeses.

Be sure that you leave enough space between the cheeses so that they do not mix. This is very important when serving the soft cheeses. Cheeses that have a strong smell should be place far from those with a mild smell. Put the smaller cheeses in the center of the plate and surround them with the softer cheeses. The hardest cheeses need to be around the edges of the plate so they are easily cut.

For best flavor serve the cheese plate at room temperature. Set the platter out at least an hour before time to serve the cheese board. Hard cheeses will need to be set out longer, so plan accordingly. Be careful that the soft cheeses do not become so soft that they spread too much on the board. Keep the cheeses covered until just before your are ready to serve the cheese board to prevent them from drying out. If there are leftovers, be sure that cover and refrigerate after the party.

The cheese platter is simple to prepare, yet offers a very elegant course to any meal. It gives you as the host both an artistic as well as a creative challenge. It is also very tasty for your guests. Try serving one at a evening event soon.

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