“Oh you fancy, huh?” -Drake on artisanal cheese plates
| This is Annie. She is currently single, but probably won’t be for long after this is posted. If you would like more information please email [email protected] |
Summer is undoubtedly my favorite season. I love a fresh tan, a refreshing cocktail (or a few), and a laid-back dinner with friends. Summer dinner parties feel effortless—people are relaxed, the food is lighter, and the whole vibe is sunnier.
Recently, as we debated what to serve for dinner, my friend Annie showed me a picture of a beautiful artisanal cheese plate she’d found on Pinterest. Annie, who reads this blog religiously, offered to recreate it under my supervision. She absolutely nailed it. Her version outshined the original and looked striking by the fire. Consider this your new go-to entertaining idea.
This cheese plate captures the spirit of summer entertaining: effortless, elegant, and crowd-friendly. While it works year-round, fresh figs and a rustic board make it especially summery. Serve it as an appetizer, a dessert, or—if you’re feeling extra fancy—a cheese course. It’s easy to transport too, so bring it to a friend’s party and watch it disappear.
Artisanal Cheese Plate (Serves 8-10)
Ingredients:
How to assemble: It’s simple, but here are clear steps so anyone can do it.
- Roll the prosciutto and salami into loose cylinders or folds.
- If you have a cheese board, use it; otherwise a large cutting board or platter works well.
- Arrange the halved figs in the center of the board.
- Place the rolled meats diagonally across from each other to create balance.
- Add the cheeses in the two remaining corners. Pre-slice about half of each cheese so guests can serve themselves easily.
- Finish with bread, crackers, or flatbread alongside the board.
Artisinal Cheese Plate
Ingredients
- ¼ pound thinly sliced prosciutto
- ¼ pound thinly sliced salami any variety
- 6 fresh figs, halved lengthwise
- 1 fresh mozzarella ball
- 1 log or ball herbed goat cheese
- 1 wedge of a hard, salty cheese, such as pecorino romano or parmigiano reggiano
- Serve with a crusty baguette, flatbread, or your favorite crackers
Instructions
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Roll the meats into loose cylinders or folds to make them easy to pick up.
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Arrange the halved figs in the center of your board or platter. Place the meats diagonally across from each other and add the cheeses in the remaining corners. Pre-slice about half of each cheese for easy serving.
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