By Angel King, Owner of Blue Jacket Dairy

Guest Contributor 

The sky is the limit on possibilities of creating a summer cheese board! The goal here is to add pairing items on the board at their height of availability and freshness. 

In my case, we start with three to four of our favorite cheese bites and surround them with accompaniments that create a feast for the tastebuds. The combinations can be displayed in pockets of cheese in distinct zones surrounded with additional companion foods.

Zucchini, cucumbers and cherry tomatoes are my go-to choices for summer vegetables around the cheese. When berries are in season, I try to add those as well. A handful of olives and almonds offer texture and make the whole display look full of variety. And a sprig of rosemary creates a pleasant aroma.

Add variety and break out of the habit of yellow cheddar cheese cubes. White cheese offers some contrast. Going one step further—a spreadable cheese and a companion cracker take the board up a notch. Since crackers are typically the carrier, the cracker flavor should not overshadow the cheese. 

Another option is to serve chevre—soft goat cheese—with some crusty bread.

The most common question I hear is how much cheese is enough. A general rule of thumb is to have one to two ounces of cheese per person when hors d’oeuvres are served. The other food choices provide enough variety and support the main item on the board—cheese.

While it might seem like cheese needs to always be cold, serving it at room temperature makes a real difference in the flavor. And yes, it is perfectly safe.

Break out of a rut and intersperse fresh vegetables and fruit in season on your next cheese board. No board will be the same since the seasonal items change from month to month. That is the best part of a summer board. Go embrace it! ■