Every Monday night I have a group of friends come over to watch Bachelor or Bachelorette, depending on the season. Most of the time I try to make an appetizer or a main course. This week I made a Cheese Plate. I also added charcuterie, fruit, and crackers to bring in more textures and flavors to the plate.

I choose four kinds of cheese; one blue, one soft, one hard and one that is crumbly. It’s nice to have options for your guests. For meats I chose a spicy soppressata and prosciutto, both are crowd-pleasers. I always try and find interesting crackers for added flavor, these crackers have cranberries and hazelnuts in them. They go perfectly with all of the cheeses. Last but not least, the fruit. Can’t go wrong with fresh figs and honey, champagne grapes and dried apricots. I used a slate cheese board with an olive wood cutting board and layered them for visual interest.

All of the cheeses were purchased at Lucy’s Whey in Chelsea Market.
Blue – Point Reyes Farmstand Co.
Soft Cheese – Moses Sleeper by Jasper Hill Farm
Hard Cheese – Reading Raclette by Spring Brook Farm
Crumbly Cheese – San Joaquin Gold by Fiscalini Farms
Crackers – Raincoast Cranberry Hazelnut Crisps

Every time you use your kitchen, be sure that it is clean before you use it and of course after. From kitchen utensils, equipment and other things you use for cooking. Don’t forget to clean your hood or grease trap if you have. Greasetrapseattle.com can help you with it.