Twelve Days Cheese Board (Print View)

A festive cheese board offering 12 unique cheese and pairing combinations, ideal for celebrations.

# Components:

→ Cheeses

01 - 1.76 oz Brie
02 - 1.76 oz Aged Cheddar
03 - 1.76 oz Manchego
04 - 1.76 oz Roquefort or Blue Cheese
05 - 1.76 oz Goat Cheese
06 - 1.76 oz Gruyère
07 - 1.76 oz Camembert
08 - 1.76 oz Gouda
09 - 1.76 oz Comté
10 - 1.76 oz Pecorino
11 - 1.76 oz Havarti
12 - 1.76 oz Smoked Cheese (e.g., Smoked Provolone)

→ Pairings & Accompaniments

13 - 12 slices artisanal bread or assorted crackers
14 - 2 tbsp honey
15 - 2 tbsp fig jam
16 - 2 tbsp whole grain mustard
17 - 24 seedless grapes
18 - 12 dried apricots
19 - 12 walnut halves
20 - 12 toasted almonds
21 - 12 thin apple slices
22 - 12 slices fresh pear
23 - 12 pieces dark chocolate
24 - 12 cornichons
25 - Fresh thyme and rosemary for garnish

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Select a large serving board or platter and visually divide it into 12 sections using small bowls, ramekins, or garnish lines.
02 - Place one type of cheese in each section, cutting into bite-sized pieces where suitable and arranging attractively.
03 - Pair each cheese with its designated accompaniment, for example: Brie with honey and apple slice; Aged Cheddar with fig jam and walnut; Manchego with quince paste and almond; Roquefort with pear slice and walnut; Goat Cheese with thyme and grape; Gruyère with mustard and cornichon; Camembert with apple and almond; Gouda with dried apricot and chocolate; Comté with grape and walnut; Pecorino with pear and honey; Havarti with fig jam and almond; Smoked Cheese with cornichon and dark chocolate.
04 - Distribute artisanal bread slices or crackers around the board, ensuring adequate portions for each section.
05 - Decorate the board with fresh thyme and rosemary to add a festive visual appeal.
06 - Present at room temperature to enhance flavor and aroma.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a conversation starter that lets each guest discover their new favorite cheese without overthinking it
  • The presentation does half the work for you—people are impressed before they even taste anything
  • You're not stuck making anything hot, so you can enjoy your guests instead of being glued to the kitchen
  • Every cheese gets the perfect partner, so even adventurous eaters find something they love
02 -
  • Cold cheese tastes like nothing—I learned this the hard way when I pulled a board straight from the fridge to serve. Always let it rest for fifteen minutes before guests arrive so flavors can truly shine
  • The pairing suggestions aren't rules—they're starting points. Trust your instincts and your taste buds; the best discoveries come when you break convention
  • Cheese selection matters more than quantity. Twelve distinct cheeses at fifty grams each creates more impact than a few heavy slices
03 -
  • Buy cheese the day of your event and keep it in a cool place—this board is best assembled within an hour of serving
  • If you're scaling up for a larger crowd, duplicate the board on a second platter rather than making the sections crowded; two gorgeous boards beat one cramped one
  • The cornichons and small pickled items are crucial—they reset your palate and make the next cheese taste brand new
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